Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? Read on to see when you should call your veterinarian immediately, what to keep in your dog's first aid kit and what to do for certain emergencies, including how to perform CPR.

The information on this page is not meant to be a substitute for immediate attention by a veterinarian. It is first aid, which is the initial help during an illness or after an accident that can save a dog's life. The objectives of first aid are to preserve life, relieve suffering and prevent the illness or injury from becoming worse until the animal can receive treatment from a veterinarian.

When To Call Your Vet

Call right away if you notice:

• Wounds that expose bone or are actively bleeding, or bleeding from the mouth, which could indicate internal bleeding
• Difficulty breathing
• A temperature higher than 104°F/40°C
• Paralysis
• Eye injuries, or unequal pupil size or irregular eye movements
• Straining to urinate, but not passing urine
• Broken bones
• Sudden onset of severe diarrhea or vomiting
• Shock or convulsions
• Burns

Call within 12 to 24 hours if you notice:

• Minor wounds that are not actively bleeding
• Depression, loss of appetite, but good vital signs
• Slightly elevated temperature
• Moderate lameness
• Runny eyes or nose

First Aid Kit
Be prepared in case of emergencies by creating a first aid kit for your dog. The following is a list of suggested items. Store the kit in an easy-to-find location and check it periodically to make sure that liquids have not spilled or dried up. Be sure to replace items after they are used to keep your kit well stocked.

• Activated charcoal tablets
• Adhesive tape
• Antibacterial ointment
• Cotton balls
• Dosing syringe
• Diarrhea medicine
• Petroleum jelly
• Rectal thermometer
• Rubber gloves
• Scissors
• Sterile gauze bandages and dressing pads
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Tourniquet
• Towel
• Tweezers

Emergencies

Bleeding

• Try to control bleeding with direct pressure. Apply several pads of sterile gauze over the wound and press firmly and evenly.
• If blood flows through the pad, do not remove it. Add another pad on top and press.
• If bleeding on a leg or tail does not stop when pressure is applied, try using a tourniquet. Use this only as a last resort. A tourniquet left on too long can result in limb loss. Use a one-inch-wide piece of gauze or cloth. Do not use a narrow band or rope.
• Cover the wound with sterile gauze and take the dog to the veterinary clinic for treatment.

Bloat

• Some symptoms may be anxiety, evidence of abdominal fullness after meals, heavy salivating, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down, stretching, looking at abdomen, unproductive attempts to vomit, labored breathing, disinterest in food, and stilted gait.
• Severe symptoms, such as dark red, blue, grey or white gums, a rapid heartbeat and a weak pulse are normally followed by prostration and death.
• Call your vet immediately.
• If your dog is in the second or third stage of bloat, you may need to administer first aid on the way to the vet.
• More information on first aid for bloat can be found at http://www.ualberta.ca/~dc8/szbloat.htm.

Burns

• For first- and second-degree burns (redness and slight swelling to blisters and extreme tenderness), immerse the burned area in cool water or apply ice packs.
• Do not apply butter or human medicines.
• Gently dry and bandage the burn, and call the veterinarian.
• In third-degree burns, the skin appears white, hair comes out easily, and the pain is severe. In such cases, call the veterinarian immediately.
• For third-degree burns, do not apply anything, but lightly cover the area with a nonstick dressing.

Difficulty Breathing

• You must act fast; you may need to perform artificial respiration.
• There are two methods of artificial respiration for dogs: chest compression and mouth-to-nose.
• Do not perform artificial respiration on a conscious dog unless its breathing is extremely shallow.
• Chest compression works by applying force to the chest wall, which pushes air out and allows the natural recoil of the chest to draw air in. It is the easiest to perform.
• Mouth-to-nose is forced respiration. It is used when the compression technique fails or when the chest is punctured.
• Artificial respiration should not be confused with CPR. CPR combines artificial respiration with heart massage for an unconscious animal whose heart and breathing have stopped.

Frostbite

• Frostbite usually affects the toes, ears and scrotum.
• Move the dog to a warm place and warm the affected area with cloths soaked in warm water or moist heat packs.
• Do not rub the area or use excessive heat.
• Call the veterinarian.

Heatstroke

• An overheated dog can suffer heatstroke, a potentially serious condition that can lead to death.
• Signs include rapid panting, dark-colored gums and tongue, salivating, exhaustion and vomiting.
• If you suspect heatstroke, your immediate goal is to cool down the dog.
• If the dog seems only mildly affected, move it to a cooler environment, such as an air-conditioned house, or wrap the dog in moistened towels.
• If the dog's temperature is over 104°F/40°C or the dog seems ill, hose it down with cool (not cold) water from a garden hose or immerse it in a tub of cool water.

Poisoning

• If your dog appears to be poisoned, call your veterinarian right away.
• Induce vomiting if directed by the veterinarian.
• Identify the poison source and take the container or substance to the clinic with you—this is extremely important.
• Call the National Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-548-2423 (for emergencies only) or 1-900-680-0000 (non-emergency questions). Both numbers are toll calls.

Shock

• Shock (the collapse of the circulatory system) is usually the result of severe injury, blood loss or allergic reaction.
• A dog is shock will experience a decreased supply of oxygen, which results in unconsciousness, pale gums, weak, rapid pulse or labored, rapid breathing.
• Shock must be treated immediately because it can be fatal.
• If you suspect shock, stop any bleeding and administer CPR as necessary.
• Cover the animal with a blanket or towel and transport the dog to the vet immediately.
• Do not give the dog water.

Performing CPR

Chest Compression Respiration

1. Lay the dog on its right side and remove collar and harness.
2. Open the animal's mouth, and check for obstructions.
3. Place both hands on the chest and press down sharply. Release quickly. If done properly, the air should move in and out. If not, perform mouth-to-nose respiration.
4. Continue until the dog breathes on its own or as long as the heart beats.

Mouth-to-Nose Respiration

1. Lay the dog on its right side, and remove collar and harness.
2. Open the animal's mouth, and check for obstructions.
3. Pull the tongue forward, and close the mouth.
4. Place your mouth over the dog's nose, and blow in steadily for 3 seconds. The chest will expand. Release for exhale.
5. Continue until the dog breathes on its own or as long as the heart beats.

Heart Massage (used when there is no pulse and often follows a cessation of breathing)

1. Feel for pulse or heartbeat.
2. Open the animal's mouth, and check for obstructions.
3. Lay the animal on its right side, and remove collar and harness.
4. Place the thumb on one side of the sternum and fingers on other side just below the elbows. For large dogs, place the heel of the hand on the rib cage behind the elbow, which is directly over the heart.
5. With hands in this position, squeeze firmly to compress the chest. Do so five to six times. Wait five seconds to let the chest expand and repeat.
6. Continue until the heart beats on its own or until no pulse is felt for five minutes.

To combine heart massage and artificial respiration, it may require two people: one to massage and one to respirate. However, in an emergency situation when no help is available, perform on mouth-to-nose respiration after five cardiac massages without breaking the rhythm of the massages.

©1998-2005 Yvette Ogresovich