It's also a good idea to create a Pet First Aid Kit, including:

	Phone numbers above
	Gauze for wrapping wounds or muzzling a frightened pet
	Adhesive tape for bandages
	Nonstick bandages (i.e., Telfa pads) to protect wounds or control bleeding
	Clean towels and cloths
	Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
	Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison - be sure to get the advice of Valley View Pet Hospital, an emergency clinic, or poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating a pet for poisoning!
	Large syringe without needle, or eyedropper (to give oral treatments)
	Muzzle (soft cloth, rope, necktie, or nylon stocking) or towel (for covering the head of cats and smaller animals). Do not use in case of vomiting.
	Stretcher (a door, board, blanket, or floor mat)
	Saline solution for rinsing eyes (the same solution used on human contact lenses)

Basic First Aid

The following suggestions offer very basic first aid for common pet emergencies. Remember, first aid is not a substitute for professional veterinary treatment. Always seek veterinary care after first-aid has been administered.

Animal Bite

1. Approach your pet carefully to avoid getting bitten.

2. Muzzle your pet, because an injured and frightened pet is easily startled and may attack you. Sometimes they don't know you're just trying to help.

3. Check the wound for contamination or debris. If significant debris is present, flush the wound with saline or a balanced electrolyte solution. If these are not available, tap water may be used.

4. Wrap large open wounds loosely to keep them clean. Apply pressure to profusely bleeding wounds. Do not use a tourniquet, and wear gloves when possible.

5. Call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility. Bite wounds often become infected and require professional treatment.

Bleeding Wound

1. Check the wound for foreign objects, but if found, do not remove them. (You could inadvertently cause additional injury deeper within the wound.)

2. Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops.

3. Continue applying pressure for at least 10 minutes (do not release pressure to check the wound - this will hamper clotting).

4. Loosely wrap the wound and call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility for additional treatment.

Eye Injury

Eye injuries should always be treated as emergencies, as the eyes are very fragile and can quickly become irreparably damaged. Aside from obvious lacerations and ruptures, look for redness/inflammation and discharge ranging from clear to cloudy green. Causes of eye injuries can range from infections, foreign materials, or caustic substances in the eye to non-apparent scratches and ulcers on the cornea.

If your pet's eye is inflamed or irritated:

1. Determine if the integrity of the eye is compromised in any way (ruptured or torn). If it is, place a gauze sponge moistened with saline solution over the eye, and transport immediately to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility.

2. If the eye appears intact, look for foreign particles that can be easily removed with the corner of a moistened 2" X 2" gauze square.

3. Flush the eye thoroughly with saline solution.

4. Bring your pet to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility. If possible, keep a towel over your pet's head during transport to protect them from bright light which could cause additional pain.

If your pet's eye is prolapsed (bulging out):

1. Rinse the eye thoroughly with saline solution to remove excess debris.

2. Cover with a soft cloth soaked in saline, then cover this with a small plastic bag to retain moisture.

3. Transport your pet to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately.

Not Breathing

1. Check to see if your pet is choking on a foreign object.

2. Place pet on a firm surface, with its left side facing up.

3. Check for a heartbeat by listening at the area where your pet's elbow touches their chest.

4. If you hear a heartbeat, but your pet is not breathing, close their mouth and breathe directly into their nose - not their mouth - until their chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute.

5. If there is no pulse, apply heart massage at the same time. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg.

6. Place one hand below the heart to support the chest.

7. Place other hand over the heart and compress gently. (To massage the hearts of cats and other tiny pets, compress the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand.)

8. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger pets and 100-150 times per minute for smaller ones.

9. Alternate heart massage with breathing.

Please Note: Even in the hands of well-trained veterinary health professionals, the success of resuscitation is very low overall. Success may be slightly higher in cases of drowning or electrical shock. Take your pet to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility.

Burn

1. Flush the burn with large amounts of cool running water.

2. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a light towel for 15-20 minutes. Do not place the ice pack directly on the skin.

3. If your pet has large quantities of dry chemicals on its skin, brush them off. Do not use water - water activates many dry chemicals.

4. Never apply ointment or cream of any kind to a fresh burn.

5. Call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately.

Choking

If your pet is choking: If your pet is having difficulty breathing, pawing at their mouth, or exhibiting blue lips and/or tongue:

1. Be sure to protect yourself as well as your pet, because they'll be desperate and more likely to bite.

2. If your pet can still partially breathe, it's best to keep them calm and get to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility as quickly as possible.

3. Look into the mouth to see if a foreign object is visible.

4. If you can, clear the airway by removing the object with pliers or tweezers, being careful not to push it farther down the throat.

5. If it is lodged too deep or your pet collapses, place your hands on both sides of their rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure. Or place the pet 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 or you arrive at the veterinarian's office.

Diarrhea

Remember that sometimes pets that appear to be straining are sore from diarrhea rather than from constipation. Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility can help you decide which is occurring and what will help. Trying at-home treatments without knowing the real cause can make things worse.

1. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, providing plenty of fresh cold water.

Injured Limb

1. Muzzle your pet and look for bleeding.

2. If possible, control the bleeding without causing further injury.

3. Watch for signs of shock.

4. Do not try to "set the fracture" on your own by pulling or tugging on the limb.
   Transport the pet to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately, supporting the injured limb on the way.

Heatstroke

Watch for body temperatures greater than 103° F, bright red dry tacky gums, rapid panting, vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased level of consciousness.

1. If the pet is not conscious, follow breathing directions outlined above, then continue below.

2. Move the pet to a cool, shaded area.

3. If there is no vomiting, offer small amounts of water.

4. If the pet's temperature is greater than 104° F, immerse in cool water or spray down and fan to dissipate heat.

5. Recheck temperature often, as cooling too far can present additional dangers.

6. Stop when pet's temperature is less than 104° F and call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately.

Poison Ingestion

Watch for vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, excess salivation, weakness, depression, and pain.

1. Record what your pet ingested and how much. Save the packaging.

2. Immediately call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility.

Please Note: If it is an after-hours emergency and your pet has ingested a human product (i.e., Tylenol, prescription medications, over the counter pharmaceutical products, etc.), you will be asked to call the ASPCA Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline. For a small fee, you can speak to a certified toxicologist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fee covers all calls related to a single poison ingestion incident. Once you have a case number and have met your pet's immediate needs, you may be sent to your local emergency clinic for further treatment. They will coordinate additional care with the poison control center.

3. Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a vet.

4. In case of toxins or chemicals on the skin from oils, paints, insecticides, and other contact irritants, request directions before washing the toxin off.

Seizure

Watch for excessive salivation, loss of control of urine or stool, violent muscle twitching, and loss of consciousness.

1. Move the pet away from objects that could cause harm during the seizure.

2. Use a blanket for padding and protection.

3. Do not put yourself at risk by restraining the pet during the seizure.

4. Time the seizure. They usually last only 2 to 3 minutes.

5. If there are multiple seizures, time the intervals as well.

6. Afterwards, keep the pet calm and quiet.

7. Call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately.

Most seizures are brief, and with proper treatment, the pet can lead a normal life. Nonetheless, seizures are serious business and even short seizures can cause brain damage. That damage tends to be cumulative over time. If the seizures are short, the main effect is an increased chance of another seizure in the future.

Shock

Shock may occur as a result of a serious injury or fright. Symptoms include irregular breathing and dilated pupils.

1. Keep your pet gently restrained, quiet, and warm with the lower body elevated.

2. Call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility immediately.

Vomiting

1. Withhold food for 12-24 hours.

2. If vomiting remains frequent or has not stopped within 12 hours, bring in to Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility.

3. Give your pet ice cubes for two hours after vomiting stops, then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given over a 24-hour period.

4. Call Valley View Pet Hospital or an emergency facility.

Muzzling

1. Use a strip of soft cloth, rope, a necktie, or nylon stocking.

2. Wrap around the nose, under the chin, and tie behind the ears.

3. Take care when handling weak or injured pets. Even normally docile pets will bite when in pain.

4. Allow the pet to pant after handling by loosening or removing the muzzle.

5. Do not use a muzzle if your pet has been vomiting.

6. Cats and small pets may be difficult to muzzle. A towel placed around the head will help control small pets.

Transporting Immobile Pets

If your injured or weakened pet cannot walk on its own, a door, board, blanket, or floor mat can be used as a stretcher for transport.

If your pet's emergency is not covered here - or you have already followed the steps outlined here - please call Valley View Pet Hospital at (952) 432-9661 or an emergency facility immediately.