First Aid for Pets
No one likes to think about worse case scenarios, but accidents can and do happen. If you’re prepared, your pet has a better chance of making it through a crisis situation. Using first aid techniques, you can help stabilize a pet until a veterinarian can be reached.
Words of caution: **In any medical emergency, the best course of action is contacting a veterinarian as soon as possible.** Time is often of the essence, so don't waste it surfing the Internet for suggestions. Be aware that many human medications are not safe for pets or these meds may react with something your pet is already taking- NEVER give your pet a medication unless approved by your veterinarian!
First Aid Kits and Disaster Planning
Always be prepared! Have a plan for what you are going to do with your pet during an emergency.
Items you should have in your pet first aid kit:
Items you should have in your pet first aid kit:
- Emergency phone numbers: your veterinary clinic, local veterinary emergency clinic, pet poison helpline
- Waterproof bag for pet's medical record (records should list current vaccination status, current medication dosages, and list of pertinent previous illnesses). You may want to keep a container with at least a few days worth of medication if your pet is on a life saving prescription (insulin, heart meds, seizure meds etc). Just be sure to keep it out of the reach of children and your pets until it is needed.
- Photo of your pet (in case they get lost or separated from you during a disaster).
- Nylon leash
- roll of gauze for an emergency muzzle or commercially available fitted muzzle
- rolls of bandage material (cotton roll gauze and non adhesive cling wrap)
- medical tape
- Bandage scissors (blunt ends)
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (watch the expiration date- expired peroxide may not work as well for induction of vomiting)
- Clean oral syringes for administering medications or water
- Blanket large enough to cover your pet or to be used as a stretcher
- Antibiotic ointment
- Sterile saline eye wash
- Disposable latex gloves
- Rectal thermometer with lubrication
- Tweezers
- Ice pack
- Pet carrier or pillow case for confining cats for transport
- Other items: corn syrup if your pet is diabetic or is prone to low blood sugar, Diphenhydramine antihistamine in case of mild allergic reaction (talk to your veterinarian regarding a safe dose).
First Aid for Poisoning
If you suspect that your pet has eaten something that might be toxic- call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Hotline (855-764-7661) immediately! Time is a very important factor for poisoned pets- there is a limited window in which to provide aid before toxins are absorbed into your pet's system.
Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting in order to get the toxic substance out. Do NOT automatically try to induce vomiting as some toxins are caustic and you will cause more harm to your pet's throat or possibly cause choking/aspiration!
If you are advised to induce vomiting- your veterinarian will recommend a dose of 3% hydrogen peroxide based on your dog's weight. Do NOT use salt or syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in pets! Take your dog to an area with a hard surfaced floor- you will want to monitor your pet closely during vomiting- some pets will want to re-ingest the vomit. You will also want to look through the vomit carefully to look for the substance that was ingested (you may need to induce vomiting repeatedly if the first attempt was unsuccessful. Since there are no at-home products that can be used to induce vomiting in cats you'll need to take your feline to a veterinary clinic for treatment. In either case, get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting in order to get the toxic substance out. Do NOT automatically try to induce vomiting as some toxins are caustic and you will cause more harm to your pet's throat or possibly cause choking/aspiration!
If you are advised to induce vomiting- your veterinarian will recommend a dose of 3% hydrogen peroxide based on your dog's weight. Do NOT use salt or syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in pets! Take your dog to an area with a hard surfaced floor- you will want to monitor your pet closely during vomiting- some pets will want to re-ingest the vomit. You will also want to look through the vomit carefully to look for the substance that was ingested (you may need to induce vomiting repeatedly if the first attempt was unsuccessful. Since there are no at-home products that can be used to induce vomiting in cats you'll need to take your feline to a veterinary clinic for treatment. In either case, get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
First Aid for Wounds
All wounds (especially punctures or bite wounds) have the potential to become infected, so you should see your veterinarian in case sutures or antibiotics are needed.
If your pet is bleeding profusely, cover the area with sterile gauze or a clean towel, and then apply direct pressure until a clot forms. You may need to place a wrap bandage around the wound, but caution should be taken that the wrap is not too tight. For example, a tight wrap around the chest or abdomen may limit comfortable breathing. A tight wrap around a leg or tail may impede blood flow and cause swelling.
Caution should be taken with painful animals- your pet may try to bite if they are painful. You may need an extra pair of hands to hold your pet still or a soft roll of gauze or strip of cloth can be tied temporarily around the muzzle to allow bandaging to occur.
If the wound is not bleeding, remove any debris and clean the area with sterile saline solution or clean water. (Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can damage the tissue). Prevent your pet from licking the wound- a pet's mouth has a high bacterial content and licking will increase the risk of infection and slow healing.
If your pet is bleeding profusely, cover the area with sterile gauze or a clean towel, and then apply direct pressure until a clot forms. You may need to place a wrap bandage around the wound, but caution should be taken that the wrap is not too tight. For example, a tight wrap around the chest or abdomen may limit comfortable breathing. A tight wrap around a leg or tail may impede blood flow and cause swelling.
Caution should be taken with painful animals- your pet may try to bite if they are painful. You may need an extra pair of hands to hold your pet still or a soft roll of gauze or strip of cloth can be tied temporarily around the muzzle to allow bandaging to occur.
If the wound is not bleeding, remove any debris and clean the area with sterile saline solution or clean water. (Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can damage the tissue). Prevent your pet from licking the wound- a pet's mouth has a high bacterial content and licking will increase the risk of infection and slow healing.
First Aid for Automobile Accidents
If your pet has been hit by a car, you will need to carefully move them off of the street. If possible, lay your pet on a flat board, and then strap him down to help prevent movement. Avoid putting pressure on the chest, which can hinder breathing. A gauze muzzle may be necessary if your pet is painful.
If your pet has sustained a head injury, tilt the board so that your pet’s head is slightly above the body during transport. If a board is not available, you may use a large bath towel to act as a stretcher with one person carrying each end. If you notice any broken bones, do your best to minimize excessive motion, but don't attempt to splint them. This may only make the situation worse — plus, you don't want to waste any time getting your pet to the veterinary clinic. Once inside the car, cover your pet with a blanket to help prevent shock.
Even if your pet does not appear to be injured, it’s still critically important that you have a veterinarian examine him. Many pets suffer internal injuries that are not obvious, and they may be very serious if not given immediate professional attention.
If your pet has sustained a head injury, tilt the board so that your pet’s head is slightly above the body during transport. If a board is not available, you may use a large bath towel to act as a stretcher with one person carrying each end. If you notice any broken bones, do your best to minimize excessive motion, but don't attempt to splint them. This may only make the situation worse — plus, you don't want to waste any time getting your pet to the veterinary clinic. Once inside the car, cover your pet with a blanket to help prevent shock.
Even if your pet does not appear to be injured, it’s still critically important that you have a veterinarian examine him. Many pets suffer internal injuries that are not obvious, and they may be very serious if not given immediate professional attention.
First Aid for Choking
The first step is to check the color of your pet's gums and tongue. Normal pets will have pink (or partially black pigmented) gums and tongue. If your pet's gums or tongue are purple, then he is not getting enough oxygen and you will need to act quickly.
If your pet is choking but he can still breathe, try to keep him calm — and get him to a veterinarian immediately. If your pet is in obvious distress, place your hand over the top of his muzzle and lift it up to open the mouth (don't cover or occlude the nostrils). For an object that is clearly visible, you can use needle-nosed pliers to remove it, but be careful not to force it farther down into the throat. Also, a pet in this situation may panic and bite, so be careful.
If that doesn’t work, lay your dog on his side, and then place your hands at the very end of his rib cage. Push down and slightly forward, applying pressure in quick, firm strokes. If you are unable to dislodge the object, get to the veterinarian immediately.
If your pet is choking but he can still breathe, try to keep him calm — and get him to a veterinarian immediately. If your pet is in obvious distress, place your hand over the top of his muzzle and lift it up to open the mouth (don't cover or occlude the nostrils). For an object that is clearly visible, you can use needle-nosed pliers to remove it, but be careful not to force it farther down into the throat. Also, a pet in this situation may panic and bite, so be careful.
If that doesn’t work, lay your dog on his side, and then place your hands at the very end of his rib cage. Push down and slightly forward, applying pressure in quick, firm strokes. If you are unable to dislodge the object, get to the veterinarian immediately.
First Aid for Seizures
If your pet is seizing, try to move furniture and other objects out of the way to prevent further injury.
Do not try to restrain your pet, and keep your hands away from your pet's mouth - during convulsions, your pet may unconsciously bite down. Pets do not swallow their tongue during a seizure. Since pets often lose bladder or fecal control during a seizure, you may want to place a towel under your pet.
Talk to your pet in a calm and soothing manner while you time the seizure. While your pet is seizing, it may seem like the event is going on forever, but most episodes will last under five minutes.
If your pet has never had a seizure before, if the seizure is lasting longer than five minutes, or if your pet started another seizure after finishing the first one- you need to take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
Do not try to restrain your pet, and keep your hands away from your pet's mouth - during convulsions, your pet may unconsciously bite down. Pets do not swallow their tongue during a seizure. Since pets often lose bladder or fecal control during a seizure, you may want to place a towel under your pet.
Talk to your pet in a calm and soothing manner while you time the seizure. While your pet is seizing, it may seem like the event is going on forever, but most episodes will last under five minutes.
If your pet has never had a seizure before, if the seizure is lasting longer than five minutes, or if your pet started another seizure after finishing the first one- you need to take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
