Emergency care often starts with your phone call to the veterinarian. Be ready to describe what happened. The vet might give instructions for first aid and safe transport. They can help you identify life-threatening airway, breathing, or circulation problems while you're on the phone. Follow any instructions for immediate treatment and for getting your pet to the clinic. Calling ahead also helps the clinic to prepare for your arrival.
Examples of emergencies requiring immediate veterinary care:
Severe pain
Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
Trouble breathing
Eye injuries
Suspected broken bones or a limb that can't move
What Can I Do for My Pet at the Scene?
You can provide a dog or cat with basic emergency care at the scene. Any injured or painful animal might bite or scratch, so protect yourself first.
Use a muzzle on dogs when safe (you can make one from cloth or keep a muzzle in your first aid kit). Never muzzle a dog with chest injuries or a short-nosed breed (like a pug or a bulldog). Also do not leave a muzzled dog alone.
Covering the head and eyes with a cloth can calm an animal. Wrap cats in a towel to limit movement, and put them in a dark box with breathing holes.
Unconsciousness
If your pet is unconscious, check for breathing by watching the chest for movement. Place your hand on the chest to see if you can feel a heartbeat. If needed, call your vet or an emergency hotline for instructions on doing chest compressions.
As with humans, pet CPR starts with chest compressions at about 100–120 compressions per minute. Continue until the animal breathes on its own or until veterinary help takes over. If driving is necessary during CPR, someone else must drive.
Bleeding
For bleeding, press firmly on the wound with your palm or fingers and then apply a firm (but not overly tight) bandage. Use gauze or clean towels or washcloths.
If the bandage becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it. Place more material on top, and keep pressure on it.
Use duct or packing tape on the outside of the bandage to hold it in place during transport.
Burns
Burns are hard to evaluate because fur hides damage. Large, deep, chemical, or electrical burns, and burns to the face or airway, need immediate care. Gently flush cool water over the affected area to clean it, and then cover with a nonstick dressing.
Choking
Choking signs include coughing, drooling, gagging, pawing at the mouth, or holding the mouth open and being agitated. Do not put your fingers into your pet's mouth, because you might get bitten.
You can try to dislodge the object by thumping the animal between the shoulder blades or applying several quick compressions on both sides of the rib cage at the same time.
Foreign Objects
Do not remove objects that penetrate the skull, chest, or abdomen, but try to prevent them from moving further. For example, if an arrow has entered the abdomen, before moving the animal, stabilize the shaft of the arrow and, if needed, cut it down—leaving at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) outside the body—to decrease movement of the free part of the shaft and minimize further tissue trauma, rather than pulling it out.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is an emergency. Normal rectal temperature for dogs and cats is about 101.5–102°F (38.6–38.9°C). Some breeds, especially short-nosed breeds, can overheat from stress or excitement even on cool days.
Signs of heat stroke include hot skin, vomiting, drooling, rapid panting, distress, uncoordinated movement, collapse, or unconsciousness.
Move the animal out of heat, and cool the head and body with cool water, ice packs, or wet towels—especially on the belly. You can also use a fan. Take your pet to the vet right away.
Offer your pet small amounts of water once its body temperature begins to go down. Do not immerse the animal in cold water.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia (overexposure to cold) usually happens when an animal is lost or exposed in freezing weather.
Signs include slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse, or unconsciousness. Shivering is not a reliable sign of hypothermia.
If the animal is wet, dry it first, then wrap warm (not hot) water bottles around its body. If you suspect frostbite, thaw the animal slowly. Do not rub it or apply snow or very hot water.
Strangulation Injuries
If a pet has neck or throat injuries from strangulation (for example, from hanging by a collar), take it to the vet immediately. Remove the collar, and use a makeshift harness or leash to control your pet.
How Do I Move an Injured Animal?
When you need to move your injured pet, minimize movement of its head, neck, and spine. Use a flat, firm board, thick cardboard, or a folded blanket to support the animal.
If your pet is confused after trauma, keep its head level or slightly elevated. Avoid jerking movements, and keep anything from pressing on the animal's neck. Place cats in a box with holes so that they feel secure and can be monitored.
