First aid isn’t a substitute for medical treatment. But when pets get hurt every pet owner should know some pet first aid. It could be the difference between life, serious injury, and death.

Here are some tips that will keep you calm in emergencies and give you practical steps to take.

Seizures

Causes

• Epilepsy
• Head injury
• Brain tumor and infections
• Blood loss, which robs the brain of oxygen, causing seizures
• Shock
• Heart disease
• Some cancers; kidney, or liver disease
• Poisoning

Things to do

• Move the pet away from any objects that may hurt it further without restraining it.
• Seizures last between 2-3 minutes, check the timing of the seizure.
• Keep the pet quiet and warm after the seizure episode as you contact a vet.

Internal Bleeding

Causes

• Car accidents
• Poisoning

Things to do

• Keep the animal warm and quiet as possible until you get to the vet.

In the case of poisoning, bring what your pet ingested to the veterinary clinic for review, so specific

treatment can begin as soon as your pet arrives.

External bleeding

Causes

• Car accidents
• Traumatic accident
• Burns

Things to do

• Get a clean towel or pad and press the cut until blood starts clotting. Apply pressure on it for about 3 minutes so that the blood completely clots.
• A tourniquet between the leg and body works great if the bleeding is on the leg and severe. After every 15-20 minutes, loosen the tourniquet for few seconds.
• Flush the burn with water immediately.
• Apply ice water compress to the burned area.
• Get your pet to your veterinarian.

Shock

Causes

• Traumatic injury
• Blood loss
• Bee / scorpion / spider attacks

Things to do

• Shallow breathing, dazed eyes, weak pulse, and nervousness are signs of shock.
• Keep the animal quiet, warm and restrained.
• In case the pet is unconscious, keep the head at the same level with the rest of the body.
• Get your pet to your veterinarian. If insect bite and allergic reaction occur, call ahead and ask if you should give Benadryl to your pet first.

Poisoning and toxins exposure

Causes

• Ingesting plants
• Ingesting pesticides or rat poison
• Antifreeze

Things to do

• Poisoning in pets causes great confusion. Products that pose a danger to human beings are equally dangerous to animals.

If the poisonous substance was exposed topically, begin bathing your pet with soap and water (avoiding their eyes)

• Check the product label for instructions on how to handle exposure and contact with the toxic product. Call the pet poison control center at (888) 426-4435.

Call your veterinarian and bring your pet to the vet with the poison that was ingested. Knowing the exact poisonous substance and the exposure amount is important for your pet to receive prompt and correct medical treatment.

Fractures

Causes

• Hit by a car
• A fall

Things to do

• For support, lay your pet on a flat surface.
• Use a stretcher. Take a board, or a firm surface and throw a rug, sling, or blanket to improvise a stretcher if you don’t have one. Be careful not to put pressure on the chest or the injured area of the animal.
• Bring your pet to the nearest emergency pet hospital or veterinary clinic.

Coughing or Difficulty Breathing

Causes

• Blocked breathing passages
• Head injuries
• Chest injuries
• Heart failure
• Allergic reactions

Things to do

• Choking is characterized by excessive pawing(at the mouth)breathing difficulties, choking sounds, or blue-tinged tongue or lips.
• Keep the pet calm as you find your way to a vet if the animal is breathing
• Check for any visible foreign object in the pet’s mouth. Using a pliers or tweezers, remove the object gently with caution not to push it further down the throat.
• Get to the vet as soon as possible

Heatstroke

Causes

• Direct exposure to the sun
• Excessive activity in hot humid weather
• Poor ventilation such as the inside of a vehicle with rolled up windows

Things to do

• For better survival chance, pets must be treated immediately as they easily succumb to heatstroke.
• If you can’t get to a veterinary hospital immediately, move the animal out of the sunlight to a shaded area.
• Take a wet, cool towel, and place around its head and neck but don’t cover the pets’ nose, mouth or eyes.
• Keep tepid water running over the animal’s body while massaging the legs.
• If the pet isn’t breathing – Open the airway by pulling the tongue out of the mouth gently until it is flat. Close the pet’s mouth and breathe into its nose until the animal’s chest expands.
• Transport the animal to the nearest vet immediately.

Bufo Toad Toxicity

Causes

• Licking or biting a bufo toad
• Bufo toads are found in and around water and bushes of Southwest Florida

Things to do

• Immediately flush out your pet’s mouth with clean water for 10 -15 minutes.
• Keep your pet warm and quiet, the toxin may make your pet wobbly.
• Call and transport your pet to the veterinary hospital.

If you have questions about your pet’s health please give us a call at (239) 500-0105.