What To Do in an Emergency Situation

Please do not hesitate to call with your questions or concerns. We would rather you call early than have your pet suffer needlessly or worsen overnight. Please do not give human medications to your pet without checking with us first. Many human drugs are toxic to pets or are dosed very differently in animals. For instance, Tylenol and Advil are toxic to dogs and cats, and even aspirin can be fatal for your cat.

FIRST AID TIPS

Severe Bleeding: apply pressure with a cloth, bandage or your hand. Call your veterinarian.

Choking: try to remove the object from the animal’s throat especially if it’s unconscious. You may use a Heimlich maneuver but be gentle, as too forceful squeezing may cause internal injuries.

Vomiting: do not give food for 12-24 hours. Give ice chips for 2 hours after vomiting stops. Then slowly increase the amount of food and water given over a 24-hour period. Call your veterinarian, especially if the response to treatment is not good, or if vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, fever listlessness, pain or other signs of illness.

Diarrhea: do not give food for 12-24 hours. Save a sample of the diarrhea in the refrigerator for testing. Call your veterinarian.

Fracture: Signs of a bone fracture include inability to stand on one leg, limping, intense pain, and bone appearing to bend where it shouldn’t. What you should do:

1. Muzzle the animal and control bleeding.
2. Watch for any sign of shock such as weak pulse, irregular breathing, dilated pupils, unconsciousness. If shock does occur, keep animal gently restrained, quiet and warm with head elevated.
3. Cover any open wounds where the bone may be exposed.
4. Do not try to reset. Transport the animal to a veterinarian immediately using a stretcher (a door, board, blanket or floor mat.)