First Aid For Your Pet | Survey, Secure, Stat

First Aid for Your Pet

First Aid Kit Checklist
You can easily put together a well-stocked pet first aid kit.

Choking Canines
It’s possible for dogs to ingest a toy, a small object—or even food that may lead to choking.

Pet Toxins
& Poisons

First Time Pet Owner

Survey, Secure, Stat!

While it’s important not to self-diagnose your pet’s symptoms you must first determine the situation. Next, stabilize your pet, then take him to the veterinarian, who will want to know what happened and when, and if your pet is feeling worse, better or the same since the incident occurred.

Broken Bones
Survey:	Your pet is limping or favoring a limb.
Secure:	Muzzle your dog or use an E-collar for your cat and manipulate his head away from you while placing him in a padded carrier.
Stat!	Go to the clinic immediately. Pelvis fractures may not be readily apparent.

Burns
Survey:	Your pet’s skin has obvious signs of burns, or he has ingested a toxin and is drooling, pawing at his mouth or swallowing excessively.
Secure:	Again, restrain your pet. Flush burns with cold water or apply a wash cloth cooled with ice water.
Stat!	Go to the clinic within the hour, or immediately if electrocution was the source of injury. Bring the chemical agent with you, if possible.

External Bleeding
Survey:	Your pet is bleeding profusely.
Secure:	Don’t forget: restrain your pet for his protection and yours. Then, firmly press thick gauze on the wound until clotting occurs. Apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart only if bleeding is severe or a limb is hemorrhaging. Every 15 seconds, loosen the tourniquet for 20 seconds.
Stat!	Go to the clinic immediately.

Internal Bleeding
Survey:	Your pet is bleeding from the nose, mouth, ears or rectum, is coughing blood, has blood in his urine, pale gums, collapses or has a weak or rapid pulse.
Secure:	Keep him warm and as quiet as possible. See if he responds when you call his name.
Stat!	Go to the clinic immediately.

Shock
Survey:	Your pet appears to be nervous, dizzy or dazed, and/or has a weak pulse and shallow breathing.
Secure:	Restrain him in warm blankets and keep his head level with his body if he's unconscious. Check his eyes to see if they look normal, and if he responds when you call his name.
Stat!	Go to the clinic immediately.

Further Reading :
A Survival Tail
Do you know what to do when your dog or cat becomes hurt?

Curious Behavior
Knowing your pet’s vital signs can help your veterinarian assess his condition.

Learn more about VPI Pet Insurance:
Dog insurance, Cat insurance, What’s covered, Get a quote

Healthzone | First Aid | Toxins & Poisons | New Pet Owner