Bites and fight wounds:
– Clean wounds with warm water
– Cover to protect from further contamination
– Seek veterinary attention if bleeding is persistent, wounds involving the head (eyes, ears, nose, throat), penetrating injuries to the chest, abdomen or groin.
Bleeding:
– If blood “spurting”, pooling, or soaking bandage seek veterinary attention. Meanwhile:
- Cover with clean absorbent compress (cotton pad) and apply direct pressure or bandage firmly in place.
- If severe bleeding from a limb, apply a tourniquet above the wound just tight enough to staunch the flow. *Loosen it after 20 minutes.
Bloat (“GDV”):
– Dog has a bulge behind the rib cage, has tried (unsuccessfully) to vomit several times, stomach is swollen and dog may collapse.
– Requires immediate veterinary attention!
Breathing difficulties:
– If “open-mouth-breathing” (esp. cats) and appears in distress, get to a veterinary clinic without delay!
Burns and scalds:
– Cool area with cold water or cover with wet towels.
– If a chemical burn, run cool water over burn for 15 minutes.
– If skin sloughs, cover with cleanest material available.
– In all cases contact your veterinarian.
Seizures:
– Most will last under 2 minutes
– Keep hands away from the mouth, move away from stairs, and provide padding between thrashing limbs and floor.
– If suspect blood sugar is too low (young puppy, diabetic) rub syrup on the gums.
– If last longer than 5 minutes or multiple seizures in rapid succession, your pet requires immediate veterinary attention.
– If not prolonged, contact your vet and book appointment at earliest convenience.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea:
– Can be sign of poisoning, intestinal blockage, or infection.
– Contact your veterinarian if you notice blood in the stool/vomit, if it persists for longer than 6-12 hours, or if your pet becomes weak.
– Consult your veterinarian before giving human medications.
– Do not force your pet to eat or drink as this may exacerbate the problem.
Eye injuries:
– Can potentially cause blindness or rupture the eye if left untreated.
– Very painful.
– STOP them from rubbing their face or scratching the eye.
– If the eye has popped out of the socket, keep it moist with contact lens solution (saline) get to the vet immediately.
– If there is green/yellow discharge from the eye and you can’t get into the vet right away, Polysporin eye/ear drops can be used (BUT they sting!). Make an appointment at your earliest convenience.
Heat stroke:
– Usually caused by leaving your dog in the car, or in some cats falling asleep while sunning themselves.
– Signs: excessing panting, weakness, and distress progressing quickly to collapse and unconsciousness.
– Cool down either by submersing in a tub of lukewarm water or applying wet towels to legs/body. AVOID using ice or ice/water as this can cool them too quickly.
– Offer water as soon as stable.
– Take to the vet ASAP.
Poisoning:
– Call your vet or a pet poison control hotline (1-888-426-4435 ASPCA poison control: 65$ consult fee)
– Check label for first aid instructions.
– DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if a petroleum product, cleaning solution, or strong acid/base was ingested.
– If within 3 hours, can induce vomiting by giving 0.25-0.5ml/kg by mouth and repeated in 5-15min if not successful.
– If going in to the vet is recommended, bring toxin packaging if possible.
***It is important that you bring your pet for a veterinary examination as soon as possible after an emergency/accident, even if it appears to have fully recovered.***
