First Aid Tips

In the event of an emergency, REMAIN CALM.  It is important that you keep a level head so that you can properly assess the situation and communicate clearly with your veterinarian.

Severe Bleeding:  Apply pressure with cloth, bandage, or your hand.  Call your veterinarian immediately.
Choking: Try to remove the object from the animal’s throat, especially if the animal is unconscious.  You may use a Heimlich maneuver but be gentle as too forceful squeezing may cause internal injuries.
Vomiting:  Do not give food for 12-24 hours.  Give ice chips for two hours after vomiting stops.  Then slowly increase the amount of food and water given over a 24-hour period.  Call your veterinarian, especially if no response to treatment or if accompanied by diarrhea, fever (normal temp for a dog is 100 F – 102.5 F) listlessness, pain or any other signs of illness.  If vomiting is continuous (3-6 times) call immediately.
Diarrhea: Do not give food for 12-24 hours.  Save sample of stool in refrigerator for testing.  Call your veterinarian.
Fractures: Signs of a bone fracture include inability to stand on leg, limping, intense pain, and bone appearing to bend where it should not.  What you should do: 1) Muzzle and control any bleeding. 2) Check for any signs of shock, such as, weak pulse, pale gums, irregular breathing, dilated pupils, unconsciousness.  If shock does occur, keep your animal gently restrained, quiet and warm with head elevated. 3) DO NOT TRY TO RESET.  Transport the animal to a veterinarian immediately using a stretcher (a door board, blanket, or floor mat).

Heat Stroke: Signs of heat stroke include: loud panting, bright red gums, dizziness or coma, depression, weakness, frightened or staring expression. Owners should bring their pet's temperature down by soaking them with cold water and covering them with cold wet towels, if possible, before rushing to the hospital.

Handling an Injured Dog:
Carefully restrain injured pets – even the friendliest ones can bite or scratch when in pain.
Never muzzle a dog if he is unconscious, has difficulty breathing, is vomiting, or has a mouth injury.
You can gently restrain an injured dog using a homemade muzzle: Use a bandage, men’s tie, length of rag, or other piece of long, narrow fabric.  Loop the fabric once around your dog’s snout and tie it under his chin.  Loop the fabric around the snout two or three more times.  Pull the ends of the fabric from under the chin and tie securely behind the ears. 

How to take your Pet’s Pulse:
1) Find a watch with a second hand
2) Find the pulse or heartbeat in one of two ways:  Place 2 fingers inside your pet’s thigh, near where the leg and body meet (dogs only).  OR place your hands on both sides of the chest cavity (just behind the elbows). 
3) Count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4.  This gives you the number of beats per minute.
NOTE: It is very difficult to find a heart rate on cats.
If you suspect that anything is wrong, seek immediate veterinary attention.


Seek immediate veterinary attention if you see any of the following signs:
Abnormal Heart Rate
Collapse
Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
Dilated Pupils
Lethargy/Weakness
Loss of Appetite
Pain
Pale Gums
Restlessness and Panting
Unproductive Retching
Vomiting
Any sudden change in behavior

IF YOUR PET HAS SWALLOWED SOMETHING POTENTIALLY HARMFUL OR POISONOUS, PEASE CALL:
PET POISON HELPLINE AT 1-800-213-6680 www. petpoisonhelpline.com
or
ANIMAL POISON HOTLINE AT 1-888-232-8870