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When the top layers of skin have been abraded and tissue under the skin is not disturbed, we refer to this injury as a skin abrasion. Most superficial scrapes or wounds no longer than an inch or two can be treated with first aid. Larger or deeper abrasions require professional medical attention. To treat minor abrasions, be sure your hands are clean. Then gently clip the fur away from the wound.
Fur in a healing wound can lead to contamination and delayed healing. Use warm water to flush the wound in order to remove dirt and debris from the area. Apply an antibiotic cream to the area three times daily. Distract the pet for a few minutes to keep your pet from licking off the medication. If the wound spreads or produces pus, or the pet is uncomfortable, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Complete airway obstruction is rare in small animals but is a serious medical emergency when it does occur.
Potential airway obstructions include:
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Signs Include:
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This is an emergency! Action must be taken immediately!
If airway obstruction is due to a foreign object, it must be cleared immediately. Do not wait for veterinary assistance.
If the airway obstruction is due to a sting or reaction to an irritant, the animal MUST be transported to the veterinarian immediately, because, if it stops breathing, artificial respiration will not work due to swollen air passages.
Restrain the animal by having another person hold the dog. Open the animal's mouth, pull the tongue forward, and inspect the throat. If a foreign object is visible, grasp it with your fingers and remove it. If you are unable to do this, small dogs can be held upside down, holding their thighs just above the knees. Swing the pet back and forth gently several times.
Prevent airway obstruction by restricting access to toys that can be chewed up easily or are small enough to lodge in the airway when swallowed. Make sure food is cut into very small pieces. Brachycepalic dogs (those with pushed in faces) may appear to have difficulty breathing. The significance of the difficulty should be checked by your veterinarian.
In some geographic locations, especially the southern states, some insects, such as fire ants, can really create an unpleasant experience for your pet. Sometimes small bumps can appear on the skin after being stung or bitten by a single insect.
You can call your veterinarian about advice for an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce allergic response. Cortisone cream can be applied to any insect bite area to help provide relief. Cold compresses applied over bee stings alleviate swelling and pain. Be sure to call your veterinarian regarding home treatment first aid.
A life threatening reaction to an insect sting is very rare in animals, but it can happen. If your pet is in serious discomfort or displays breathing issues, contact your veterinarian.
Always use caution when approaching or handling an animal that is injured by bite wounds or another serious trauma. Dogs that are not normally aggressive may bite out of self-protective instincts if they are in pain. Use a muzzle if needed.
Flush the wound well with warm water, and try to clip fur from any wounds. It is important to note that bite wounds are a combination of penetrating and crushing damage. A small hole can mask severe tearing of tissues and bleeding hidden beneath the skin. Gently wrap any skin tears with bandaging material, and apply direct pressure to sites that display active bleeding.
Bite wounds usually become infected, so it is very important to have a veterinarian assess any bite wound. Even the most superficial bite wound has the potential to become seriously infected. Oral antibiotics may be needed. Also, surgery may be necessary to repair damage inflicted beneath the skin. Home first aid for bite wounds should be considered only as a first response. Evaluation by a veterinarian is very important for proper assessment and recovery.
Apply firm direct pressure over the 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.
If bleeding is severe, apply at tourniquet between the wound and the heart. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation. Keep the animal as warm and quiet as possible. Call your veterinarian immediately.
Stomach expansion due to a build-up of gas or froth which cannot be expelled by belching or passage along the intestinal tract will lead to bloat. Bloat, or gastric dilatation, can occur rapidly and be fatal within hours of onset.
The causes of bloat are not yet well understood, but it seems to occur most in large breeds of dogs. If you notice your dog gagging, trying unsuccessfully to vomit, displaying strings of saliva hanging from the mouth, and showing signs of distended abdomen, call your veterinarian immediately. The belly will appear rounded and full, and be rather hard and tight when you touch it.
Veterinarians always consider a bloat case a true emergency that demands immediate attention for the best change of a good outcome for the patient. If death occurs, it is usually a result of circulatory failure and shock.
First aid for bloat is not a good idea, this situation required trained medical attention. Relieving stomach gas yourself via stomach penetration though the skin should be considered only if you are in a remote location where veterinary attention cannot be acquired for hours.
Again, the best option is to seek immediate medical care from your veterinarian.
Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object. If the animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a heartbeat by listening at the area where the elbow touches the chest.
If you hear a heartbeat but the animal is still not breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose-not the mouth!-until the chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute.
If there is no pulse, follow the above procedure and also apply heart massage. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below the heart to support the chest. Place the other hand over the heart and compress gently. To massage the hearts of smaller dogs, compress the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger animals, and 100-150 per minute for smaller ones. Alternate massage with breathing.
Broken bones in pets can range from being a nuisance to being a life threatening situation, especially if a sharp bone fragment severs an artery. Be cautious about the pain response of any animal when they display the signs of a broken bone.
If it is safe and not stressful for the pet, try to gently assess a traumatized area that may harbor a broken bone by looking for bruising, an abnormal contour to the surface that isn't present on the opposite side, a twist to a limb that is not normal, or discomfort when local pressure is applied. Use a muzzle if required.
If the pet is bleeding, try to apply pressure to stop blood flow. Apply a clean cloth or bandage material gently to bleeding areas for protection and mild pressure. If possible, immobilize a fracture area. Get to an animal hospital as soon as possible. Sometimes a stretcher improvised from a blanket or plywood board can be very helpful in transporting an animal that cannot walk. If you provide careful support to any fractured limbs trying to apply a splint may not be necessary.
If an animal is in extreme pain, is panicked, or has a paralyzing spinal injury, you should call your veterinarian for advice regarding transporting the animal to the hospital. Be prepared for these animals to require a number of assistants for your trip to the animal hospital.
If you plan on trimming your dog's nails, ask your veterinary staff to show you how to trim nails to keep them close to the quick (live part of the toenail). But be aware, just about everyone who tries to trim their own dog's toenails will at one point clip them too short. This may result in what seems like severe bleeding.
To perform first aid on a fractured or broken nail, try to determine if there is a loose piece that can simply be trimmed with a nail clipper. If a fractured end or nail fragment is attached merely by a small strand, cut the loose piece away. If the nail is fractured but still well attached a little super glue may stabilize it until your veterinarian can check it for actual trimming and coagulation of the quick.
To stop bleeding from a nail that is trimmed too close to the quick or broken away from the quick, you can pack the end of the nail with bar soap, styptic powder, cornstarch, flour, or tea leaves from a tea bag. Pack the coagulant up against the bleeding quick, and hold it there for a minute or two. Remember, animals in pain sometimes bite out of self-preservation instincts, so keep an eye on your animal. Occasionally a nail that breaks off very close to the nail bed results in an infection in the toe. This will require a veterinary clinic visit and antibiotic treatment, so watch for any limping that persists longer than two days.
If possible, flush the injury immediately with running cool water over the burned area. In order to decrease the inflammatory reaction to the burn injury, hold an ice pack (crushed ice and water mix) wrapped in a soft towel gently against the affected area.
Seek veterinary attention immediately. Some burns can actually damage blood supply to the skin, and several days later the skin will turn a dark, dry color. These damaged areas can become infected and may require surgery to repair devitalized tissue.
If the animal is still passing stool but it appears to be very firm-and the animal is otherwise healthy (i.e. normal eating and drinking habits)- add 1/4 teaspoon of fiber, such as canned pumpkin or bran to the animal's diet.
If this does not work, your pet has not defecated for more than one day, or your pet appears otherwise ill, take the animal to a veterinarian. Never use commercially-sold enemas made for humans. These may be toxic and deadly to dogs and cats!
CPR is the method used to treat an animal that is not breathing or has no heartbeat. It consists of rescue breathing (also called mouth to nose/mouth resuscitation) and chest compressions. CPR is based on three basic principles, called the ABC's of CPR.
You must follow the ABC order when attempting CPR.| Airway | Breathing | Circulation |
As long as there are at least two people present, CPR can be performed on the way to the veterinary hospital. The driver should remain focused on the road, while the passenger administers CPR. Do not attempt to administer CPR while driving.
Even when performed by an experienced veterinarian, CPR does not always work - do not be disheartened if your attempt fails.
| Airway |
Does the animal have an open airway? The airway is the passage the animal breathes through. Check to see if the throat and mouth are clear of foreign objects. If the answer is YES, go to Breathing. If the answer is NO, you need to open the airway. Do the following:
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Do not place your fingers inside the mouth of a conscious animal - you may be bitten!
| Breathing |
Is the animal breathing? If the answer is YES, allow the animal to assume the body position most comfortable for them. Then, move on to Circulation. If the answer is NO, do the following:
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After 20 minutes, there is little chance of reviving your pet.
Do not attempt this on a conscious animal!
Use the following breathing rates:
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| Circulation |
Is there a heartbeat or pulse? If the answer is NO, perform chest compressions. Do the following:
Small Dog (Under 30 Pounds):
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Medium to Large Dog (30 to 90 pounds)
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Giant Dogs (Over 90 Pounds)
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Do not assume there is no heartbeat or pulse simply because an animal is not breathing. Do not start chest compression before checking for a heartbeat. If the animal is conscious and responds to you, then the heart is beating!
Continue CPR until the animal has a strong heartbeat and pulse, until you reach the veterinary hospital, or until 20 minutes have passed without success.
Small and superficial cuts may heal well by simply rinsing with clean water and applying an antibiotic ointment three times daily. Flush enough to remove all dirt and debris from the area. It is ok to gently clean the edges of a cut with warm water daily to soften any crusts, but do not scrub the healing cut or apply hydrogen peroxide. Even when diluted, hydrogen peroxide can harm newly-produced healing tissues.
Most cuts that are not deep and gaping will look improved within three days. Any cut that is moist, draining, has reddened, swollen edges after three days should be examined by a veterinarian.
Lacerations are wounds that cut the skin through to the deeper underlying layers. They may be deep enough to involve underlying veins, arteries, nerves, ligaments, muscles, tendons, or even bone. They are usually caused by accidental injury, abuse, or fights. There may be a great deal of bleeding if an artery was torn. Underlying structures such as ligaments or muscle may be visible. First aid depends on the extent of damage, the degree of bleeding, and the cause of the laceration. If profuse bleeding is occurring, do not attempt to clean the wound as you will encourage more bleeding. Bring the animal to the veterinarian.
If you are concerned that your dog may be dehydrated, pull on the skin at the back of the animal's neck. It should spring back into the normal position immediately within one or two seconds. If there is a delay, the animal is dehydrated.
Very old and very skinny animals are difficult to assess in this manner because skin loses some of its natural elasticity with age and malnourishment. It is also more difficult to assess dehydration in obese animals. In these circumstances, feel the gums. If they feel dry and sticky, the animal is probably dehydrated. If the animal is drooling, gums may feel moist despite dehydration. Dehydrated animals must be taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment immediately. If you aren't sure whether your pet is dehydrated, the safest option is to take your pet to the veterinarian for examination.
Diarrhea is the frequent and repetitive passage of loose, watery stool. Your judgment regarding the health status of a pet with diarrhea is critical. Bloody diarrhea with severe straining may be an emergency especially for small dogs. Diarrhea along with vomiting can be signs of serious intestinal obstruction that may even need surgery. Weakness, pain, vomiting, or agitation are serious signs that the pet needs medical attention-not simply a little first aid!
A pet with diarrhea but with few other signs of distress may sometimes be treated at home, but the variables are so numerous that it is best to call your veterinarian regarding the situation. Always have a fecal sample checked in case worms or other parasites, such as giardia, are a factor. Chronic or frequent episodes of loose stool may be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease with often requires veterinary attention. Because diarrhea can turn deadly very fast, it is best to avoid first aid remedies and call your veterinarian for advice.
It is best for pets to be spayed or neutered. It makes them healthier and happier.
Signs of difficulty may include:
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It is a good idea to check on the animal, but do not be overly attentive. If the dog is in active labor for four or more hours with no puppy, or if more than two hours pass between puppies, or she has any of the above signs, speak to a veterinarian immediately for an assessment. Be prepared to get her to a veterinary hospital. At the veterinary hospital, the veterinarian may attempt to treat her with medication to increase the force of contractions. Otherwise, a cesarean section may be performed.
Do not endanger yourself. If possible, remove the animal from the water. Suspend him by his hindquarters to allow water to drain from the lungs. A swinging motion can be used to encourage breathing.
If your pet does not start to breathe naturally, resuscitation should be implemented. Dry and wrap the pet in a blanket to keep warm. Immediate attention is required. Take your pet to your veterinarian immediately.
For low voltage shocks in the home, do not touch your pet until you have turned off the electrical source. If you pet is unconscious, check for signs of breathing and implement resuscitation if needed.
Apply first aid to any areas of bleeding or burns. For high voltage shocks, such as power lines, do not approach or try to rescue your pet if it is still within 18 meters (20 yards) of the power source. Call 911, and ask for the police to help. Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
Surprisingly, dogs and cats have few serious eye injuries. Any injury to the eye can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if penetrating or ulcerative lesions develop. Eye injuries can include scratches, perforating injuries, foreign bodies, and chemical or contact corneal trauma. Any condition that causes your pet to squint or protect his eye, any suspected trauma to the eye, any abnormal appearance of the eyeball or any time the eyelid cannot cover the eye are all absolute medical emergencies.
If you suspect there may be debris or irritation affecting your pet's eye, you can use any commercial saline flush to clean foreign objects from the eye and to visualize the seriousness of the situation. If your pet is squinting, hiding its eyes from the light, has a raised third eyelid, or has any blood within or around the eye, its time to see the veterinarian without delay. Most veterinarians look at any eye issues as needing priority rather than a wait-and-see approach. Even a minor scratch on the cornea from a thorn or a cinder can lead to consequences that would be disastrous for the pet. Home treatment of eye injuries is not recommended without a veterinarian's inspection.
Fever is the elevation of body temperature in response to infection or inflammation. The normal body temperature ranges for dogs is 100-103. Abnormal things to be noticed on the thermometer would be blood, diarrhea, or black and tarry stool.
These symptoms require veterinary attention.
Remove the animal from the cold source. Run cool water over the affected areas. Keep the warming process gradual. Do not warm up the frostbitten area quickly. Heating pads may be used if kept on low and the pet is checked frequently. Bluish or black discoloration of the skin or limbs is very serious.
Although frostbite is not common in pets it can affect the ear tips, toes and nails.
Signs of severe heatstroke are rapid panting, wide eyes, staggering, and weakness. If suspected, you can take the animal's temperature rectally. Any temperature above 106 degrees is dangerous. The longer the temperature remains at or above 106 degrees the more serious the situation. Heatstroke can be fatal in minutes! Place your pet in a tub of cool running water, or spray with a hose being sure the cool water contacts the skin and doesn't simply run off the coat.
Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. If possible, take a rectal temperature to know when to stop cooling. A safe temperature is about 103 degrees. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible even if the pet appears normal.
Do not panic. Let the animal see you approach. Avoid making any sudden movements or loud noises. Speak gently to the animal. Ensure there is no danger of further damage to yourself or pet. Give first aid to any external injuries, minimize movement, and keep the animal warm.
Immediate attention is required. Telephone your vet, and take your pet to the hospital immediately.
Also called moist eczema, hot spots are the sudden appearance of wet, circular patches of infection on the skin that create intense itching and irritation. Hot spots are the result of a tick or insect bite, or even from a mild abrasion or moisture contacting the skin. They can spread very rapidly across the skin surface and beneath the fur, so they may be difficult to see. It is best to trim the fur around the affected area to allow air to assist in drying.
Daily cleaning of the hot spot with sterile saline, NOT hydrogen peroxide, every two hours for the first day or two will speed up the healing. Also, any topical antibacterial ointment with arrest growth of the bacteria. Sometimes oral antibiotics and steroids are necessary to help these areas to heal. These skin lesions can take a week to finally dry and look like they are going to heal. The fur begins to grow back, sometimes a different color, within two weeks.
The single most important thing you will need: a clear level head. Stay calm! If an emergency should arise, your pet is counting on you to focus and provide the necessary attention and care.
This information is not intended to take the place of expert veterinary care. It is only intended as assistance to help you determine if you have a serious situation and to help you maintain your pet's life until you can obtain medical attention.
DOs & DON'Ts
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Nosebleeds in pets are usually caused by injury, infection, bleeding disorders, foreign objects, or tumors. Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the nose. Place steady pressure on the bleeding nostril using a clean cloth or gauze. Keep the animal as quiet and still as possible.
If the bleeding does not stop or is the result of anything but simple trauma, or there is no obvious reason for the bleeding, take the animal to a veterinarian immediately for an exam. A small amount of blood from one nostril may be an early sign of a tumor.
Record what and how much your pet ingested or was in contact with. Call your veterinarian or poison control center immediately. A local or national animal poison control center may give you instructions on how to control individual situations of pet poisonings.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: (888) 426-4435. Be aware that a $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
Do not induce vomiting without talking to your veterinarian first! It is always helpful to bring the wrapper or container of the suspected poison with you to the veterinarian or the list of active ingredients. If vomiting is indicated, hydrogen peroxide will often induce vomiting in dogs and cats. With any suspected poisoning whether ingested, by contact, or through inhalation, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Innocent though they may seem, puncture wounds need to be treated with caution. Just like a bite wound, puncture wounds may be the tip of the iceberg and not readily show the true seriousness of the underlying damage. Flush and apply a topical antibiotic. If you know the wound is not highly traumatic, you may simply keep a close eye on the area and seek veterinary help if swelling and inflammation occur.
Unlike humans, pets seldom get tetanus. Generally, a tetanus shot is not needed for dogs. On extremely rare occasions, a deep puncture wound that is contaminated could create a serious muscle and nerve disorder.
Convulsions, or seizures, are very troubling to witness. If your pet ever has a seizure, call the veterinarian about how to handle the immediate situation. Keep the animal safe by removing it from stairways or dangerous objects. Use of a blanket for padding and protection usually is not required unless the animal is actively pacing or thrashing. Swallowing the tongue is not often an issue with an animal in the midst of a seizure, so don't think that you must pull the tongue out to prevent swallowing. If you can, time the seizure and make note of the severity. If the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes, or there are clusters of 5 or more, your pet may require medication right away.
There is really nothing you can do to stop the seizure at home other than provide a quiet environment (keep fearful or screaming children or loud music away from the dog), but do speak softly to the dog for reassurance. Any dog or cat that experiences a seizure should be examined, and blood chemistry studies should be done.
Shock is a physiological phenomenon that results in cardiovascular collapse. Unfortunately, although its function is to defend vital organ systems in an emergency, a pet can die of the consequences of shock before he succumbs to the effects of his injuries. Gum color and capillary refill, mental status, heart rate and body temperature are all important reflections of the state of shock.
To evaluate the signs of shock, the pet's cardiovascular system must be addressed. This is done by physical examination that you can do at the scene of the emergency. One of the basic signs of shock is a slower capillary refill time. To evaluate capillary refill time:
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Warning: The pet may be in early shock and have a normal gum color. Do not dismiss the severity of the pet's condition even if he does not seem to be in shock at the time. Take him to the veterinarian to be certain that no treatment is necessary. It is most important to note the pet's mental status. If the pet seems sluggish, slow to respond, or is lethargic and confused, visit a veterinarian immediately.
If the pet is unconscious, do not waste time examining her for more minor signs of shock. Seek veterinary attention immediately!
Shock can be caused by many different injuries and diseases, but there are common findings: weak, subdued or comatose, the pulse may be rapid and weak, body temperature may be below normal (but may also be normal or above normal.) Animals in shock may breathe rapidly but not take deep breaths. They may be panicked and agitated following an accident. Seek veterinary attention immediately!
Straining and crying while posturing to urinate without the production of urine constitutes an emergency. Call the animal hospital immediately regarding an evaluation. Without appropriate treatment, your pet can die. Urinary tract problems do not lend themselves well to first aid therapy or herbal remedies.
If you believe your dog is unable to urinate, do not delay: seek veterinary attention immediately!
Any pet that eats grass will probably vomit the grass and stomach contents. Grass has no food or medicinal value whatsoever to a dog or cat and can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation or bleeding.
First aid remedies for vomiting can be helpful or can be your pet's worst enemy depending upon the cause of the vomiting. Using kaopectate, pepto bismol or herbal remedies for vomiting due to a foreign object penetration of the stomach or intestine can be disastrous!
Your judgment regarding the seriousness of the vomiting is critical. If the vomit contains any blood at all, call the veterinarian immediately! If your pet seems alert, active, and unconcerned about the vomiting, then you may try cautious observation at home. Withhold food for 12-24 hours and allow water in small amounts. Keep in mind that many small breeds of dogs can suffer severe consequences from low blood sugar if food is unavailable for longer than 18 to 24 hours.
After the vomiting has ceased for 4 hours, you may give ice chips or small amount of water for 12 hours. If vomiting has not resumed, slowly increase the amount of water and food again over the next 24 hours. If the animal is not interested in food, vomits repeatedly, or seems cramped or in pain, it's definitely time to call the veterinarian.
This First Aid Guide was developed by the veterinary staff at Dr. Sherry Weaver's Animal Hospital of Towne Lake in Woodstock, GA. Always seek veterinary care following first-aid attempts. Your veterinarian is the best source of information for your pet's specific needs. This information is provided for general reference and informational purposes only and should not be construed to be formal professional advice or the formation of a consultant-client relationship.
Credits:
Paper and canvas prints of
"Growing Up Chinese Shar-Pei" by Barbara Keith are available online.