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Hypothermia occurs when your pet’s body temperature drops to dangerously low levels. This can cause a number of bodily functions to shut down, and even cause death. Signs include shivering and/or confusion, pale gums, and loss of consciousness.
If your pet has a fit, the first thing you should do is ensure the animal is safe and won't get hurt while having the seizure. Make a note of the duration and frequency (if it happens again) of the seizure.
An allergic reaction may include swelling, a rash, redness, vomiting, diarrhea, and even difficulty breathing. Go to the vet immediately, as there is not much that can be done in terms of first aid without access to specific medications.
Keep calm and do not restrain the animal. If you can, film the seizure, as it may help the vet see exactly what happened.
See also: How you can save and protect animals
Dry your pet off if he/she is wet, and place blankets under and over him/her. Giving them lukewarm water to drink may also help, as well as gradually increasing the room temperature. Call your vet for further advice.
If your pet comes into contact with something poisonous, monitor him/her for any signs of poisoning/toxicity, and go straight to the vet.
If you can’t do this, then a non-conducting pole (e.g. a wooden broom stick) should be used to separate the animal from the live wire. Check your pet for burns (especially in the mouth if they chewed a cable), and call your vet, as there may be some internal damage.
A heatstroke can kill an animal. The first thing you should do is move your pet to a cool place, and cool them down. You can do so by giving them fresh water and putting them on top of a cold wet towel (don’t wrap it around them). As with other emergencies on this list, go to the vet.
Not only is electrocution very painful, but it can also cause burns, organ damage, and even death. This can happen if, for example, your pet chews an electric cable. If you see your animal being electrocuted, do not touch him/her. Find the power switch or fuse box and turn it off.
Small, superficial cuts, grazes, or scratches can easily be treated at home. Just clean them with salty water and apply a bandage if needed. Your pet may have to wear a buster collar to avoid further damage. If you spot any signs of infection in the following days, take your pet to the vet, as they may need some antibiotics.
The general protocol is 30 compressions followed by two breaths (blow on their nostrils) for the duration of two minutes.
Using a dog as an example, first ensure he/she is unconscious (talk to him/her and touch him/her). Then pull the tongue forward and check the breathing. If the animal is not breathing, check his/her heartbeat. To do so, place your hand or ear on the left side of his/her chest.
A pet can easily choke on a ball or small toy. Check their mouths to see if they turn blue (a sign of suffocation). If your pet loses consciousness, open his or her mouth and try to remove the object that is choking him or her. If you can’t, lay your animal on the side and press on your pet's rib cage three to four times. This will push air, and hopefully the object, out. Go to the vet right away.
The CPR procedure in dogs is similar to the one used in humans, except the dog should be laying on the right-hand side or on their back (if they are flat chested). Where you place your hands to do the compressions will depend on the dog’s breed, size, and weight.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR, is performed in order to maintain blood and oxygen pumping throughout the body when the animal’s heart stops beating. It’s important not to do so if your pet is breathing and his/her heart is beating, even if unconscious, as this can be very dangerous.
Difficulty in peeing can be a sign of numerous problems, from simple urinary tract infections to a life-threatening blockage. You should check for any other symptoms and take your animal to the vet to get it checked out as soon as possible.
If the burn is chemical, wash your pet with fresh water. It’s important to only use cool water on burns, not ice, and to keep your pet warm (wrapped in a blanket) and not allow him or her to touch the burned area. Placing cling film loosely around the burn may help keep it free from dirt. You should take your pet to the vet immediately.
Pets can collapse for many reasons, from low blood sugar to heart disease. If this happens, call your vet immediately. If they are not breathing, then it’s time to start CPR.
Bruises can happen around the house or while playing outside, and usually improve on their own in a couple of weeks.
If, however, your pet shows signs of constant and multiple bruises, this may indicate a bleeding/clotting problem. For this reason, it’s important to monitor any unexplained bruises. As a way to reduce swelling, you can apply a cold compress.
The first thing you need to do is assess where the blood is coming from. Is the animal bleeding from the outside (e.g. a cut) or inside (e.g. from the nose)? Use a clean cloth or bandage, and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Contact your vet for further advice.
It’s important to remain calm if your pet is struggling to breathe. Stress can make it worse. Take the animal to the vet, calling in advance to let them know about the situation.
If your pet has been bitten by a snake, then apply ice (or an ice pack) wrapped in a towel on the wound, and, of course, go to the vet immediately.
If your pet is making more noise than normal while breathing, or if they stretch out and take fast and short breaths, they may be experiencing difficulty breathing. Cats in particular will breathe with their mouths open.
If your pet was hit by a car, for example, other internal injuries may also occur. Check the gums for discoloration, as this may indicate loss of blood or shock.
Broken bones can be very painful, so avoid touching the area where it hurts. Try to carry your pet on a flat surface, such as a board, to the vet as soon as possible.
Your pet first aid kit should also include wound dressings, self-adhesive tape, gloves, and antiseptic wipes, as well as a foil blanket.
Because there are lots of bacteria in animals’ mouths, bite wounds can easily become infected. The first step is to assess the wound. If it’s small and not bleeding, clean it with lukewarm salty water and rinse it. Then get it checked by a vet.
You can put together a pet first aid kit for any emergencies that may arise. It should include bandages, scissors, a product to wash wounds, cotton wool, and tweezers (including tick tweezers).
If there is heavy bleeding or parts of skin are missing, then you can try and cover the wound with a clean dry dressing, if your pet allows you to do so. Either way, you should go straight to the vet.
Wounded pets may bite and scratch when they’re in pain and/or distressed. As such, before providing first aid to your pet, make sure you have a muzzle or use another object, such as a towel, to protect yourself from accidental harm.
Having information about your pet’s breed, any health conditions your animal may have, and having the vet’s number on your phone are a good starting point.
Our pets can get injured, so having some basic first aid knowledge can really make a difference. Some injuries are more common than others, and indeed some are more serious than others. But regardless of what the emergency is, you will want to be prepared with the knowledge and right tools to deal with it.
From wounds to choking, and everything in between, in this gallery you'll learn the basics to deal effectively with a pet emergency. Click on and learn more about pet first aid.
Pet first aid: a basic guide to dealing with a pet emergency
From simple procedures to life-saving steps
LIFESTYLE Pets
Our pets can get injured, so having some basic first aid knowledge can really make a difference. Some injuries are more common than others, and indeed some are more serious than others. But regardless of what the emergency is, you will want to be prepared with the knowledge and right tools to deal with it.
From wounds to choking, and everything in between, in this gallery you'll learn the basics to deal effectively with a pet emergency. Click on and learn more about pet first aid.