Chapter 7 · First Aid
Basic first aid for pets
An injured, frightened animal can bite its own owner. Don't hug an injured pet, and keep your face away from its mouth. In all cases, take the animal to the vet as soon as possible and call ahead so they expect you.
| Situation | What to do | What NOT to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding | Firm pressure with clean cloth, at least 3 minutes before checking. If it soaks through, add more cloth on top. Severe bleeding: emergency vet hospital immediately. | Don't remove soaked towels. Don't use hydrogen peroxide on wounds. |
| Heat stroke (heavy panting, drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting, abnormally colored gums) | Shade or a cool indoor space; towels soaked in room-temperature water on the neck, armpits, and groin (change them every few minutes); fan; take to the vet. | Don't submerge it in ice water. |
| Poisoning | Call the vet or the animal poison hotline; keep the container at hand; save any vomit in a sealed bag. | Don't induce vomiting or give medications without instruction. |
| Seizure | Move furniture and objects away; time it; keep the place dark and quiet. | Don't restrain it or put your hands near its mouth. |
| Embedded object | Immobilize it with bandages around it and take to the vet. | Don't remove it. |
| Fracture or trauma (hit by a car) | Muzzle if it tries to bite; move a large dog on a board or blanket as a stretcher, a cat in a carrier or box. | Don't splint if you don't know how; a badly placed splint does more harm. |
| Snakebite, multiple stings | Keep it still and take it to the vet immediately (the muzzle and paws are the most common sites). | Same as for humans: don't cut, don't suck, no tourniquet. |
CPR for pets (AVMA summary)
- Not breathing: pull the tongue forward, check the mouth and throat and remove visible obstructions; close the muzzle and breathe into the nose until you see the chest rise.
- No heartbeat: compressions at 100–120 per minute. Cat or small dog: on its side, squeeze the chest with one hand. Medium or large dog: on its side, both hands on the widest part of the chest. Barrel-chested dog (bulldog): on its back, over the middle of the sternum.
- Depth: one-third to one-half the width of the chest (from the side).
- Alone: 30 compressions and 2 breaths. With help: one person compresses and the other gives 10 breaths per minute.
- Continue until it breathes and has a heartbeat, or until you reach the vet.
