An unexpected emergency can happen at any time. In all of the following cases, you should call your veterinarian immediately. However, here are some things you can do at home to help until they can be seen.
Trauma  Be careful when approaching an injured animal. Even your own pet might try to bite or scratch you if they are in pain. You can use a muzzle unless they are having difficulty breathing or if they are vomiting. Carefully pick them up to transport them to the vet....Use a board if you suspect a back or neck injury. Put cats and small dogs in a box to carry them safely. Use a towel or gauze to control bleeding. Stabilize any limbs that appear broken (swollen, deformed, exposed bone) Keep warm - they will often be in shock. Difficulty breathing Loosen or remove any collars Look for any foreign objects in mouth or back of throat - be careful not to get bit ! Move head or body into a position to make it easier to breath Look at mucus membranes and tongue - they may turn blue if the animal isn’t getting enough oxygen. Seizures  Take note of the following characteristics: What was he/she doing before the seizure? Was it a sudden collapse or did it come on slowly? Is there violent thrashing, slight trembles, head shaking, or stiffness? Whole body or just one part? Did your pet lose consciousness? How long did it last? How did they act afterwards...totally normal, or were they disoriented and confused Take body temperature when seizure is over. For diabetic, very young or very small animals you may have to administer corn syrup or honey. Excessive bleeding Use a towel or pack of gauze to apply direct pressure. If possible, wrap wound with vetwrap. If blood oozes through bandage, apply more bandage  material on top of the existing bandage - do not remove as this disrupts any clot that may have started. Only use a tourniquet as a last resort. Deep cut/gashes Treat similar to excessive bleeding Wrap the area in moist gauze or a towel to help keep internal parts from becoming exposed Heat stroke Look for:  Excessive panting or difficulty breathing If outside, spray with cool water from a hoseIncreased heart rate and respiratory rate Body temp over 104 Red mucous membranes Stupor or Seizures Cover neck, chest, head and feet with water-soaked towels Turn a fan directly on the animal Retake temperature and stop cooling process after temp is below 104 Hypothermia Look for:  Stupor or unconsciousness Wrap in a blanketWeak pulse / decreased heart rate Body cool to the touch May or may not be shivering Pale or blue gums Body temp below 95 Place warm (not hot) water bottles next to the animal If you use electric warming pad, do not place directly against animal Ingestion  Some common things for an animal to swallow that can cause serious problems are: Rat poison Antifreeze Household chemicals Human or pet medications (prescription and over the counter) Poisonous plants Sugar free gum (with xylitol) Chocolate (bakers chocolate is worse than milk chocolate) For rat poison, antifreeze, human medications, chocolate or sugar free gum, induce vomiting by using a turkey baster or syringe to give hydrogen peroxide. For other poisons contact the National Animal Poison Control Center 800-548-2423, the ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or your vet. Keep the container so your vet knows exactly what was ingested. Burns  Apply cool water to burned areas Place a sterile non-stick pad or moist towel to burned area to keep it clean. Do not apply any ointments or creams Bloat  Painful , enlarge abdomen Retching (trying to vomit with nothing coming out) Call and take to your veterinarian ASAP  Unconsciousness Take body temp and administer appropriate treatment Position carefully so they can breath easily Straining to urinate  Especially critical in male cats Yowling in the litter box - going frequently with nothing coming out May be blocked from stones and in danger of rupturing bladder Call and take to your veterinarian ASAP Ataxia  Stumbling, weaving, staggering Many causes - head or spinal trauma, poison or anti-freeze ingestion, seizures, hyperthermia, metabolic disorder Keep them away from stairs so they don't fall and injure themselves |
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