In an emergency
- Contact your vet. Always keep your vet's phone number to hand. If you are going on holiday make sure you have the local vet's number available. During normal hours emergencies are dealt with at St Mary's Clinic in Ferndown. Out of hours emergencies are dealt with by a dedicated emergency service. Click here for emergency numbers and location maps
- Always phone first. Advice prior to moving your pet may be life saving. It also allows the vet to prepare prior to your arrival.
- Be prepared to take your pet to the vet as treatment can be provided more effectively and quickly.
- Be aware of risks associated with handling an injured or distressed animal. The nicest of pets can bite or scratch if in discomfort. If your are bitten or scratched contact your doctor.
- Never give human medicines to animals as they may cause harm and require emergency treatment themselves!
- Do not offer food or water unless instructed to do so in case an anaesthetic needs to be given.
- Ensure you transport your pet safely in your car. Do not become distracted by your pet's condition as crashing your car isn't going to help!
What is an emergency?
Items for your first aid kit
Road accidents
Bleeding
Broken bones
Burns and scalds
Heat stroke
Ball stuck in throat
Poisoning
Fight injuries
Fits
Bee and wasp stings
Swollen tummy
Basic resuscitation
What is an emergency?
It is sometimes difficult to decide if it is an emergency or not. You can always call your vet for advise. You should definitely contact your vet if:- your pet is weak and unable to get up
- breathing becomes laboured, difficult or severe continuous coughing is present
- your pet is continually vomiting
- in dogs if the abdomen (tummy) becomes swollen or bloated
- your pet is trying unsuccessfully to urinate (mainly male cats and dogs)
- there appears to be severe pain or discomfort
- your pet has a fit or seizure (these usually stop after a few minutes but advise should still be sort)
- there has been a road traffic accident
- a suckling bitch appears agitated, shaking shivering and won't settle
- if you are worried as it is better to get advise on what transpires to not be and emergency than to possibly wait to long.
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Items for your first aid kit
- Bandages- these should be conforming and self adhesive (they stick to themselves but not to the animal). 2.5cm, 5cm and 7.5cm widths should be available.
- Elastoplast tape- this is to secure the bandage to the fur.
- Cotton wool.
- Sterile absorbent gauze.
- Non adhesive absorbent dressings- to cover open wounds prior to bandaging
- Blunt ended scissors
- "Buster collar" or equivalent
- Bottle of sterile saline- to flush wounds or bath eyes.
- Give thought to how you transport your pet especially if it is a large dog which may be unable to jump into the car. For smaller animals make sure you have a working pet basket, preferably top opening.
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Road accidents
Minimise the chance of your pet being involved in a road accident by keeping dogs on leads near traffic and keeping cats in at night. If your pet is involved in and accident it should be checked by a vet even if there are no obvious injuries as internal organ damage and bleeding can be difficult to spot.
Your pet is quite likely to be in pain and may bite if it feels you may be about to hurt it. Talk softly to reassure it and move slowly avoiding any sudden movements. Avoid touching any obviously injured areas unless you need to stem bleeding.
With cats and small dogs it is probably best to transport them in an animal carrier. Placing a blanket or towel over the animal and scooping it up may prevent injuries to yourself and further injuries to the animal as a result of struggling. Larger dogs may need to be muzzled for your own safety prior to attempting to move them. If they are unable to move medium sized dogs can be lifted with one arm in front of the chest and one arm around the back of the hind legs. Non-ambulatory large dogs may need to be rolled or slid onto a blanket to produce a make-shift stretcher. If possible have someone steady the head to reduce the chance of the dog struggling and falling producing further injury. For control of bleeding and broken bone see below
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Bleeding
The purpose of treating a bleeding wound is to prevent blood loss causing internal organ injury as a result of compromised circulation and protecting the area from further injury.
Place a sterile pad over the injured area and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Do not keep checking the site as this will disturb the clot formation and lead to prolonged bleeding. The area can be examined every 5-10 minutes to see if bleeding has stopped. If possible apply a bandage over the sterile pad rather than holding it on. The bandage should be tight enough to stop the bleeding but not so tight that it restricts blood flow to a limb or restricts the animals breathing. If blood seeps through the bandage apply a second, slightly tighter bandage over the first.
Seek veterinary advise as soon as possible. Do not leave bandages on for more than 24 hours. Remove bandage before if the animal seems distressed with it, the limb swells or, if on the body, there appears to be any difficulty in breathing.
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Broken bones
Deal with any major bleeding but try not to manipulate the injured area if at all possible. Do not attempt to splint as this can rarely be done effectively in a conscious animal and is more likely to cause further injury or result in you getting bitten. Confine your pet and transport it you vets. This is much less likely to cause further damage. Move as described in road accidents. If a spinal injury is suspected try to minimise any movement of the back. The use of a solid board to lift may reduce further injury but care should be taken that the animal does not fall off.Back to top
Burns and scalds
Run cold water over the area for at least 5 minutes and contact your. Do not apply any ointments, cream or butter. Even if the area appears OK seek veterinary advice as significant damage can present which may not be apparent for several days.Back to top
Heat stroke
Generally occurs on a hot or warm and humid day following exercise or confinement in a hot area (greenhouse, conservatory, unshaded garden). Mainly dogs especially those with short noses or pre-existing breathing problems. The animal appears distressed and is unable to stop panting and will eventually collapse and die if not treated. Remove pet from source of heat, soak coat with tepid (not cold water) and use a fan if available (caution: water and electrical fans don't mix well!). Continue to run tepid water over the whole animal until panting ceases or you have gained further advise from your vet.Back to top
Ball stuck in throat (dog)
Do not attempt to remove a ball by placing your hands in a conscious dogs mouth as serious injuries can be sustained to the hands. If it is causing a respiratory obstruction it will be in front of the larynx (voice box). If you feel at the top of the neck you may be able to feel the larynx (which feels remarkably like a ball) and in front of this the actual ball close to the jaw. Squeeze the ball forward using a hand around the throat. If the dog is unconscious and this does not work you can attempt retrieval via the mouth but take great care as reflex biting may occur. If after removal the dog is unconscious try methods under resuscitation.Back to top
Poisoning
If you pet has ingested medications, poisons such as pest baits, or potentially toxic plants contact your vet immediately. It is important to know the substance and quantity ingested. This information is available on the packaging and must be given to your vet. In the case of plants try to identify it and bring a sample in. If more than 2 hours elapse before seeing your vet the substance may have left the stomach making it harder to treat.Back to top
Fight injuries
Puncture wounds often look minor or can be overlooked but will often go septic forming abscesses. Seek veterinary attention within 24 hours. If deep puncture wounds are present on the chest or abdomen then seek attention immediately as internal injuries may have occurred. Also seek immediate attention if your pet appears dull, depressed or has breathing difficulties. Fight wounds in cats are often not noticed until an abscess has ruptured. Seek attention within 24 hours.Back to top
Fits
Usually seen as lying on side with shaking, intermittent back arching with extended limbs, unconscious urination and defecation. Do not attempt to hold or comfort your pet as this provides further stimulation and risks personal injury. Darken the room, reduce noise and move any objects that may cause injury. Contact your vet. Fits are usually self limiting and last less than 5 minutes. The underlying cause may need investigating.Back to top
Bee and wasp stings
Remove the sting if visible (bees). Apply ice wrapped in cloth to avoid freezing the skin. If minimal swelling occurs no further treatment may be required. If marked swelling develops or the sting is on the head/throat seek veterinary attention.Back to top
Swollen abdomen (tummy) in dogs
Sudden abdominal enlargement in dogs especially deep chested breeds is a serious emergency. It may be due to a gastric dilation and volvulous (twisted stomach) which is rapidly fatal. Seek immediate attention.Back to top
Basic resuscitation
- Check for spontaneous breathing.
- If no breathing is present open mouth and check for obstructions. Take care not to get bitten. Remove any obstruction.
- If breathing is still absent close the mouth and extend the neck in line with the body. Take a deep breath and blow into the nostrils watching for the chest to rise. Repeat artificial respirations at about 10 breaths a minute.
- If no heart beat is palpable (feel the chest just behind the elbow) apply chest compressions ( about 60 per minute) just behind the forelimb with the animal lying on its side. With cats squeeze the area between thumb and fingers.
- If no heart beat or respiratory movements are seen within 4 minutes recovery is unlikely.
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