Would you know how to help your pet in an emergency? The first thing to do is be prepared. Be sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit and know where the nearest 24 hour clinic is located. Be calm but stay alert, an animal in pain may bite. Take steps to learn how to handle any emergency. It may save your pet's life.
Poisoning
Symptoms include twitching, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination, convulsions and collapse.
Common sources:
Rat poison, antifreeze, insecticides, medications, and plants.
What to do:
Have someone help you move the animal by sliding a heavy towel beneath the animal and take it to the nearest Animal Clinic. Try to take any toxic substance your pet might have ingested along with you. Also if possible take a sample of any vomit.
Bleeding
Use direct pressure to apply a clean dry cloth to the wound. If blood soaks through the fabric, add more. Do not disturb any clots that might be forming. Use a tourniquet only as a last resort, and make it just tight enough to reduce the flow of blood. Loosen every 5 minutes and don't leave it on any longer than 20 minutes. Get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Move your pet as explained above.
Loss of consciousness
If your pet has a weak or irregular pulse, no heart beat, and is not breathing-begin CPR. The techniques for humans can be modified easily to work on animals. Get someone to help if you can. It's best to perform CPR on the way to the hospital. Don't attempt it on a conscious animal.
Car accidents
Take the animal to the vet immediately. Internal bleeding is common, and signs of distress may not show for hours. Also puncture wounds that close quickly can cause life-threatening infections later. To avoid being bitten tie a strip of cloth over your dog's nose or cover your cats face with a coat. Get help if your pet is a large animal.
Here are items you should have in your pet's first aid kit.
- Sterile saline for washing eyes
- Benadryl for allergic reactions
- Heavy towel or blanket to use as stretcher
- Antibiotic ointment for wounds
- Gauze bandage and bandage tape
- Tweezers, to remove ticks, splinters or burrs
- Wound disinfect
- Disposal latex gloves
- Muzzle
- Phone number and directions to nearest 24 hour clinic
