You’re probably prepared in case a member of your family
cuts himself or gets injured. But do you know what to do if your pet
chokes on a bone or has a seizure?
Knowing some basic pet first-aid techniques could mean the difference between life and death.
Here are some common pet emergencies and what to do on the spot, before you head to the vet.
Hit by Car
An animal in pain is more likely to bite. So muzzle it first with a scarf, belt, or towel, unless it’s vomiting. Get the animal off the road by gently sliding it onto a towel or blanket (these should be in your car's first-aid kit).
Don't lift the animal. Make sure it’s warm, as it may be in shock. If
it seems to have any broken bones, roll up a magazine or newspaper to
use as a splint.
Poisoned
Many household items can be dangerous to dogs and cats -- everything from antifreeze, insecticides, and aspirin
to raisins and sugar-free gum. But don't panic. Many of these have
antidotes. Call the Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 or the
Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 immediately. They can probably help
you even before you get to the vet.
Choking
If
your pet is unconscious, open its mouth and try to clear the object out
with your fingers. Or hang a small animal from its back legs and try to
shake the object out. If the animal is conscious, do a modified Heimlich maneuver.
Place the pet on its side, applying pressure right behind the ribs and
pressing your hands forward. This may help push the item out. Get
someone else to drive to the vet so you can continue to do this on the
way.
Seizures
A seizure will generally pass
on its own in less than 3 minutes. Your job is to make sure the animal
is safe while it's happening. Get any movable furniture away from the
pet. Don't put your hands or your face near the animal's mouth, and
don't pull its tongue out of the mouth. Unlike humans, animals won't
swallow their tongues during a seizure. When the seizure is over,
contact your vet.
Dog Bites
If another dog bites
your pet, get to the clinic as soon as possible. Dog bites can pull a
lot of hair and debris into the wound. If it’s not cleaned out soon, it
can become infected.
Bee and Wasp Stings
Bee
and wasp stings usually cause just minor swelling and itching. If you
can see the stinger, use a credit card to scrape it out, or pull it out
with tweezers. An antihistamine like Benadryl
will relieve some of the symptoms, but call your vet to ask how much to
give. If you notice any swelling on the face or neck, or hives all over
the body, get the animal to the vet right away. This could be a severe
anaphylactic reaction -- a definite emergency.
Heatstroke
If your animal is panting heavily, drooling, having trouble breathing, or showing other symptoms of heatstroke,
move it to a shady area immediately. Put a cool, wet cloth around its
neck and head (not its face). You can also gently hose the animal down
with cool water, especially the belly, before transporting it to the
vet.