Firstaid
Firstaid
Firstaid
Brought to you by
Chance’s Spot Pet Loss and Support Resources
www.chancesspot.org
Table of Contents
Fractures .....................................................................................................................................Page 2
Bite Wounds
Bleeding
Burns
Choking .......................................................................................................................................Page 3
Diarrhea
Heatstroke ...................................................................................................................................Page 4
Poisoning
Seizures
Vomiting ......................................................................................................................................Page 5
Muzzles
Body Restraint .............................................................................................................................Page 6
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Basic First Aid for Pets is brought to you by Chance’s Spot Pet Loss and Support Resources, a
nonprofit organization that provides grief support, resources, and information in an effort to help those
who have lost a pet. © Chance’s Spot. All rights reserved. www.chancesspot.org
Basic First Aid For Pets
Please note that the following recommended first aid techniques and the first aid kit are not a substitute
for veterinary treatment. While knowing basic first aid could help save your pet's life, always seek
veterinary care following first aid attempts. If your pet's emergency is not covered here, please call your
veterinarian immediately.
Fractures
Symptoms: Pain, inability to use a limb, or limb at odd angle
What to do…
Muzzle the pet and look for bleeding. If you can control bleeding without
causing more injury, then do so. Watch for signs of shock. If a limb is
broken, wrap the leg in cotton padding, then wrap with a magazine, rolled
newspaper, towel or two sticks. The splint should extend one joint above the
fracture and one joint below. Secure with tape. Make sure the wrap does not
constrict blood flow. DO NOT TRY TO SET THE FRACTURE by pulling or
tugging on the limb. Splint only when necessary and when you are confident
of not causing greater injury. If the spine, ribs, hip, etc. appears injured or
broken, gently place the animal on the stretcher and immobilize it if
possible. Treat the animal for shock. If your pet can't walk, a door, board,
blanket, or floor mat can be used as a stretcher to transport injured or weak
animals.
Follow-up: Transport the pet to the veterinarian immediately, supporting the injured part as best you
can.
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Basic First Aid For Pets
Bite Wounds
Symptoms: Pain, puncture marks or holes in the skin with or without bleeding.
What to do…
Approach the pet carefully to avoid being bitten. Muzzle the animal. Check the wound for contamination
or debris. If significant debris is present, clean the wound with large amounts of saline or water. Wrap
large open wounds to keep them clean. Apply pressure to profusely bleeding wounds. Do not use a
tourniquet. Wear gloves when possible. Treat the animal for shock.
Bleeding
Symptoms: An external break in the skin where the blood exits uncontrollably.
What to do…
Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops.
Hold the pressure for at least 10 straight minutes (continually releasing the
pressure to check the wound will hamper the clotting). Avoid bandages
that cut off circulation or a tourniquet. A tourniquet is dangerous and
should only be used in life-threatening hemorrhaging of a limb. It may
result in amputation or disability of the limb. Treat animal for shock.
What to do…
Flush the burn immediately with large amounts of cool, running water. However, be sure to wipe off any
dry chemicals from the animal's fur before flushing to avoid further irritation. Apply an ice pack for 15-20
minutes. Do not place ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap the pack in a light towel.
Choking
Symptoms: difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at the mouth, blue lips and tongue.
What to do…
If the animal is still conscious and can still breathe, approach with caution. Look into the mouth to see if
foreign object in throat is visible. If you can, clear the airway by removing the object with pliers or
3
Basic First Aid For Pets
tweezers, being careful not to push it farther down the throat. DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS IN THE
ANIMAL'S MOUTH. If it is lodged too deep or if the pet collapses, then place your hands on both sides
of the animal's rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure. Or place the animal on its side and strike the
side of the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand three or four times. Repeat this procedure until the
object is dislodged. Keep the animal calm, treat for shock, and get to a veterinarian as quickly as
possible.
Diarrhea
Symptoms: Frequent and many times urgent passage of unformed or liquid stools, often with a foul
odor.
What to do…
Withhold food for 12-24 hours, but not water. Sometimes pets that appear to be straining are sore from
diarrhea rather than from constipation. Your veterinarian can help you decide which it is and what will
help. Trying at-home treatments without knowing the real cause can just make things worse.
Heatstroke
Symptoms: Rapid or labored breathing, vomiting, high body temperature, collapse.
What to do…
Place the animal in a tub of cool water. If unavailable, gently soak
the animal with a garden hose or wrap it in a cool, wet towel. Do
not overcool the animal. Stop cooling when rectal temperature
reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Basic First Aid For Pets
Poisoning
Symptoms: Vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, salivation, weakness, depression, pain.
What to do...
If possible, note what the pet ingested and how much. Immediately call your veterinarian or poison
control center. Do not induce vomiting. In case of toxins or chemicals on the skin from oils, paints,
insecticides and other contact irritants, request directions on if and how to wash the toxin off.
Seizures
Symptoms: Salivation, loss of control of urine or stool, violent muscle twitching, loss of consciousness.
What to do...
Move the pet away from any objects that could be harmful during the seizure. Use a blanket for padding
and protection. Do not put yourself at risk by restraining the pet during the seizure. Time the seizure -
most last only 2 to 3 minutes. After the seizure, keep the animal calm and quiet.
Vomiting
Symptoms: Expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.
What to do...
Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Give the pet ice cubes for two hours after
vomiting stops, then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given
over a 24-hour period.
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Basic First Aid For Pets
Restraint Methods
If your pet is injured, you may need to restrain it in order for first aid to be given. Muzzle
your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a
mouth injury.
Dogs: Muzzles
Speak and move calmly and quietly, while having someone restrain
the dog with a leash. Approach dog from the side and behind its head;
do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front. Quickly slip the muzzle
over the dog’s nose, and secure snugly behind ears. If a muzzle is not
available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or
rope about 3 feet long. DO NOT USE A MUZZLE IN THE CASE OF
VOMITING.
Cats: Muzzles
Speak and move calmly and quietly while having someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its
neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; but prevents it from moving. Approach the cat from behind and
quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. Secure snugly behind head. If a muzzle is not available,
one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Be sure that it is carefully placed around the cat's
mouth and securely fastened. Cats may be difficult to muzzle. A towel placed around the head will help
control cats. DO NOT USE A MUZZLE IN THE CASE OF VOMITING.
If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about 3
feet long (shorter for a cat). Make a large loop in the center and quickly slip over the animal's nose.
Bring ends under chin and tie snugly behind it's ears.
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Basic First Aid For Pets
Pet CPR
If possible, have someone call your veterinarian while you perform CPR.
Press down 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 times per minute for smaller ones.
Alternate the chest compressions with the rescue breaths. Continue the heart massage compressions
and the rescue breathing until you can hear a heartbeat and feel regular breathing. Once your pet is
breathing and his heart is beating, call your veterinarian immediately.
7
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