Emergency Care for Your Pet

Suggestion: Find a waterproof container for the items' storage; heavy-duty plastic bags or a lunch box may do for smaller kits, but be sure to mark "FIRST AID" on all sides. Someone else may have to look for it. When treating always remember- a stressed pet may bite or claw so use caution. Also see First Aid For Felines

Animal Poison Control-800 548 2423

1. Ace bandage

2. Adhesive foam (cushion foot pads before bandaging)

3. Antiseptic towelettes

4. Aspirin (baby) (2 for adults, 1 for puppies)

5. Bacitracin or similar antibiotic ointment 6. Baggies (zip- & tie-close; small & large sized. Can be used for specimen collecting and storage.)

7. Benadryl (sealed pills)

8. Cotton balls

9. Cotton wrap 10. Gauze (2" or 3"; sterile)

11. Gauze pads (3x3 or 4x4; sterile)

12. Imodium A-D or Pepto Bismol

13. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)

14. Razorblade/safety razor (use for cutting thick materials or area of dog's hair)

15. Salt for emetic

16. Scissors w/round ends

17. Soap (Neutrogena & germicidal)

18. Sock

19. Sunblock (for nose or light skin) 20. Tape, plastic first aid

21. Thermometer (bulb)

22. Tweezers

23. Vetwrap or gauze tape (for people; adheres to itself, -$$)

24. Water, sterilized

Large Kit items:

25. Blanket

26. Burn cream

27. Calming drops, homeopathic*

28. Charcoal tablets for rat poisoning

29. Cold pack, instant

30. Eye drops

31. Forceps, surgical** 32. Hemostats**

33. Hydrocortisone (1%) acetate cream

34. Hydrogen peroxide

35. Ipecac syrup

36. Muzzle 37. Penlight, high intensity

38. Sting-kill swabs

39. Syringe (10ml) with cover

*Do not use if vet advice is needed

**For experienced dog people in remote area

Since you don't know if you will be able to answer questions about your dog in case of an accident, include the following:

Rabies certificate copy

Medical records, including poison control numbers and veterinarian's name, phone number, and hours (include emergency number)

Snapshot and written description of dog and cat, including any tattoos or microchips

Pet first-aid information

If symptoms include biting or licking itchy skin or foot pads, possibly red eyes, and/or lethargy, they may be from an allergy. If more serious problems can be ruled out, treat with Benadryl antihistamine (25mg capsule for adult dogs, 1/2 capsule for puppies, 1/4 for cats) and remove the offending allergen from the dog or relocate the dog.

Insect bites or stings can also cause itchy skin or foot pads; treat with Benadryl and 1% hydrocortisone acetate cream (if the dog cannot lick the site cats will lick the site-do not apply). If swelling is present, ice pack can be applied. In all allergic bites or sting reactions, check dog's respiration frequently and contact a veterinarian immediately if any change occurs.

Burns:

These are usually caused by spilling hot or caustic liquids on pets. Other causes include biting electric cables and extreme cold.

1) If an offending substance is still on the pet, wash it off with cold water.

2) Apply an antiseptic ointment.

3) Treat for shock (see symptoms below). Contact a veterinarian.

Minor burns: Carefully clip the hair away from the affected area, cleaning if necessary with a mild soap and applying a topical antibiotic ointment cats may lick it off,

Diarrhea: See vomiting and diarrhea*

Once the pet is ashore, empty its lungs of water as quickly as possible.

Small pet: Hold it by the shoulders, forequarters, upside down and swing the dog round very carefully. A helper should then open its mouth and pump its chest. Frequently, just elevating the dog is enough.

Larger dog: Pick it up behind the ribs, with one arm round the abdomen. Drape the dog over your shoulder while you open its mouth and pump its chest. Don't try to swing heavy dogs--even though muscles/ligaments are stronger, you could dislocate joints and/or tear ligaments. Once respiration starts, cover the dog, treat for shock, and transport to the vet. Fluid may still be in the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia. Lasix therapy may be needed.

If the dog has a discharge from the ear or if there is any inflammation, consult a veterinarian immediately. If he has a swollen ear flap (swelling on the inside of the ear flap) or seems to have difficulty hearing, see the veterinarian as soon as it is convenient. Some slight discharge of yellow, brown, or even reddish in some dogs is normal, but any discharge that smells or is large in amount indicates veterinary advice needed. Blackish specks may indicate mites (can cause deafness if not treated), but is not an emergency. (ear diseases)

Cosmetically, ear injuries from fights can look very bad, but the ear itself has very little blood. A veterinarian can make a good closure on any wound within 24 hours. If a tooth splits the cartilage, it will not repair, but stitching the skin closed around it can make it appear normal.

1) Clear froth from the mouth,

2) Bath the whole body with warm water at first, then switch to cooler water, and finally ice packs on his head and neck.

3) When he is cooler and breathing normally, take him to a veterinarian where treatment may involve more cold water, stimulant drugs, and cortisone. Monitor the temperature while transporting to a veterinarian. If the temperature suddenly plummets, remove the ice packs and wrap a blanket around him for warmth.

These are focal skin infections that, although not associated with burns, actually feel warm to the touch. They are usually round, red, moist and painful and cause the dog to lick and chew at the area.

1) Clip hair away from hot spots,

2) clean thoroughly (Neutrogena soap is sometimes helpful with itching problems), and

3) treat with antibiotic or steroid ointment. If the hotspot continues, seek veterinary help. More severe hot spots may require Elizabethan collar and/or oral antibiotics.

If the pet is carrying his leg clear of the ground or barely putting it down or there is painful swelling, a fairly serious injury is suggested. If the dog is favoring one leg, even with no pain or swelling it could be a sprain, fracture, or wound. Enforce rest and seek veterinarian help.

For cats this may  also be an abscess and will require veterinary care immediately.

Immediate treatment: Apply a cold compress and change every 20 minutes. After a few hours, change to a hot compress. Support the limb with a bandage1. It is best if splinting is done at veterinarians. If splinting is necessary beforehand, try to arrange the limb in its normal extended position, then pad the site with cotton. Apply a layer of padding twice as thick as the leg, as far up and down as possible. Once the leg is covered, put two solid braces on either side of the leg (a rolled magazine is effective) and bind firmly in place with a bandage

.

1) Put cotton balls between toes, then swathe the whole foot in cotton wrap or a very loose ace bandage. (This averts danger of stopping circulation with tight dressing.)

2) Cover the bandage with a baggie, then a sock. Secure with tape. Torn toenails: This will cause bleeding, but is not life-threatening. If the nail is only partly off, confine the dog until the veterinarian can see the wound.

Off-Color:

Look for other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing or coughing, bleeding, drinking abnormal amounts, losing weight prior to appearing off- color, or obvious pain. Any of these signs combined with looking off-color are an indication for immediate veterinary help. If none of these signs are obvious, wait 24 hours. If improvement during that time, the your pet probably had a mild infection; if no improvement, see a veterinarian promptly.

1) Prevent further poison being swallowed. Wash off any on the coat.

2) Contact the veterinarian or poison control immediately.*

3) If you think you know what the pet has swallowed, take some with you to the veterinarian, and its container.

Your veterinarian may tell you to make the dog vomit with an emetic, if the dog ingested the poison within a 1/2 hour. Emetics are: Syrup of Ipecac; 2T. 1/2 milk & 1/2 peroxide; salt in warm water; mustard in cold water. He may also advise use of charcoal to dilute *National animal poison control Central (Univ./Illinois Vet. Medical School)

1-800/548-2423: $45/per case.

1) Control the cause of shock.

2) Place your pet in a quiet, warm place and cover him with a blanket.

3) Check heartbeat  if heart has stopped, give heart pulses just behind shoulder blades. (A pet can live longer without air than without a heartbeat.)

4) Check breathing. If it is irregular or nonexistent, loosen the collar, open the mouth, remove any foreign material, saliva, blood, or vomit, give artificial respiration.

a) Place the pet on its side with the head on level with, or lower than, the body

b) Check that the airway is clear, mouth open and clean, tongue forward

c) Place both hands on the chest, over the rib area , and push down firmly but gently to expel air from the lungs. Release the pressure immediately so that the chest expands and draws fresh air in.

d) Repeat at 5-second intervals. Get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as breathing is stabilized and within one hour of the shock.

You can give Pepto Bismol or Imodium AD, for diarrhea- (1/2 a 2mg tablet for a 20-30 lb. dog, 2-4x day max at 4-6 hour intervals for dogs, 1/8-1/4 if a tablet  or 1ml of the liquid for a 10 lb. cat ; if liquid medication, use a syringe inserted in the side of the mouth ).

One word of caution using Imodium...if there is any vomiting, no diarrhea, or the pet is acting sick, not just having the squirts, be careful using this drug. Imodium acts by slowing to stopping the movement of the gut. If there are a lot of toxins from bacteria or spoiled foods, then this material sits in the intestines and is more likely to enter the bloodstream and make your dog sicker. If there is no diarrhea, just vomiting, you may actually constipate your pet. But if you are traveling or at home, and your pet develops diarrhea and still feels fine, this is a wonderful thing to have on hand.

If your pet passes frequent liquid or semi-liquid motions it may be ill with a minor infection, but could be something more serious. If the dog seems well aside from the diarrhea, withhold food and water as scheduled above. If acute signs are also present (the feces are bloody, vomiting, the pet seems dull and depressed) seek veterinary help.

If your pet has more than one isolated bout of vomiting &/or diarrhea, the first step towards treatment is to NPO him for 24 hours. This means nothing given orally, food or water. He can have some ice cubes to lick on, as they will provide fluids in extremely small amounts. After there has been no additional vomiting, start back on small amounts of water (pedialyte is OK), a few laps at a time, every 1-2 hours. If he continues to keep this down over the next 6 hrs, gradually increase the volume in one sitting. After keeping water down for 12 hrs, you can start back on small amounts of bland foods. These include cottage cheese, boiled rice, boiled chicken, lean browned ground turkey with the fat washed off, oat meal, scrambled egg, or prescription diets like I/D. Start with 1-2 tablespoons every 2 hours. After 6 hrs, increase to volume and decrease the intervals. A good goal for a 20 lb animal  is 1/3 cup every 4-6 hours. If food stays down the next 24 hrs, feed up to 1/2 cup in 3 meals over the next 2 days. Start adding back regular diet mixed into the bland foods. If vomiting or diarrhea persist or if you see blood-seek veterinary attention immediately.

It should take about 5 days to get back on regular food. Some pets take a little longer, depending on how irritated the gut was to start. If the vomiting/diarrhea continues longer than 24 hrs of NPO, if there is any blood, multiple episodes of vomiting (over 3-4) occur in a short time (30-45 mins), or if the pet is depressed or lethargic, then seek veterinary attention. Young pets less than 6 mos and older pets over 7 years are more likely to dehydrate quicker, so may need medical attention sooner, especially if there is an underlying disease, such as diabetes, kidney disease, etc. Most of the time, minor GI upsets will heal themselves if the gut is allowed to rest.

Spurts of blood indicate an artery has been severed; a vein has a steady stream; capillaries ooze steadily. To control heavy bleeding, hold a pad1 over the injury and bind it tightly in place with a bandage. Do not remove the pad even if it becomes saturated as it may be helping blood clotting. If you see spurts of blood, apply direct pressure to the wound to prevent excess blood loss. Press your fingers hard against the wound to control the bleeding (if gauze pads are not available, substitute a handkerchief, corner of your clothing, a leaf, or even your bare fingers).

Keep the pressure on until your pet is in the hands of a veterinarian. If ice is available, apply it around the area to help restrict the blood flow.

1) Lay your pet on his side, neck extended, and open the s mouth to check for obstructions. Extend the s tongue and look into the throat and make sure that, too, is clear. Remove any fluid from the mouth that might interfere with the passage of air.

2) Place both hands behind shoulder blades and in front on last rib and apply slow steady pressure on ribs. Abruptly release pressure. Steady pressure should take 2 to 3 seconds, release for an equal amount of time.

1) Lay the pet on his side, neck extended, and open the  mouth to check for obstructions. Extend the  tongue and look into the throat and make sure that, too, is clear. Remove any fluid from the mouth that might interfere with the passage of air. Then close the mouth and continue to hold it gently closed.

2) Now inhale. Completely cover the pets nose with your mouth and exhale gently; don't blow hard! Carefully force air into the lungs and watch the chest for expansion. Repeat every five to six seconds, or ten to twelve breaths per minute.

There are many different ways to give pills; crushed in their food, disguised in something like cream cheese, peanut butter, etc., or putting the pill as far back in the throat as possible and stroking the throat while holding the head up and mouth closed. When giving liquid medication, using a syringe inserted in the side of the mouth can be effective.

Every pet is different. One method that has worked well is to lay the dog on his back for a tummy rub. Rub his tummy for a minute or so, then open his mouth and insert the pill covered with about 1/2 teaspoon of margarine as far back in the throat as possible. Hold the mouth closed while talking to him quietly and stroking his chest. While he tries to move his head away, the margarine melts and the pill slides down his throat. Very soon he has to swallow it. If he resists a lot, blow in his nose to cause a reflex swallow. As soon as the dog swallows, release the nose and continue stroking his tummy and chest while telling him how good he is.

For cats administering a pill may be a challenge.  Place the pill as far back as possible into the mouth, close the mouth, and quickly blow onto the face.  This will stimulate a swallowing reflex.

Normal is 100.4-102.2ºF. If the dog is excited, it could go up slightly.

1) Have a helper restrain the dog.

2) Shake the bulb thermometer down and lubricate with a little petroleum jelly.

3) With one hand, push hair (or tail if there is one) up and to one side. Insert the thermometer about 1" into the rectum and hold it still, angled so that the bulb is against the wall.

4) Wait 30 seconds, remove the thermometer and read it.

5) Shake it down and clean and disinfect3 it before replacing it in its case. If there is a temperature, give baby aspirin in dosages listed above. If temperature remains high after giving baby aspirin, seek veterinary advice.

American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club dog care and training. New York, Howell, 1991. 

Dog Owner's Guide. First aid kit. 1996.

Dog Owner's Guide. Signs of canine illness. 1996.

Los Angeles SPCA. Pet first aid.

Nibling, Barbara (Corgi-L) [Personal communication, 11/29/96, 4 p.]

Paws to Care.

Home/travel first aid care kit for dogs. 1996.

Taylor, D. You and your dog. New York, Knopf, 1994.

Merridy Gottlieb & Barbara Nibling January 7, 1997

Kathalyn Johnson, DVM January 7, 1997