Take a breath. You're here.
That's the first right thing.
Call someone who does.
Emergency numbers
Your safety matters too.
â ïļ Pain changes behavior
Even friendly, familiar pets may bite when hurt or scared. This is not aggression â it's survival instinct.
ðĶ Rabies warning signs
If you suspect rabies: DO NOT TOUCH. Call animal control immediately.
If you need to handle an injured pet, a makeshift muzzle can protect you both. Use a soft cloth, gauze, or leash â wrap around snout, tie behind ears.
If bitten: Wash wound immediately with soap and water for 5+ minutes. Seek medical care â rabies is fatal if untreated.
What did they get into?
⥠Call poison control NOW
888-426-4435 â Have the product container ready if possible.
When in doubt, call first. Vomiting the wrong substance can cause more damage.
Are they conscious?
⥠Signs of choking
Pawing at mouth, gagging, blue gums/tongue, distressed sounds, can't bark normally
How big is your dog?
Open mouth and look for the object. Only remove if you can clearly see it.
Hold dog upside down by hips, head pointing down. Let gravity help dislodge the object.
Give 5 firm blows between shoulder blades with heel of hand.
Lay dog on side. Place hand on ribcage. Give 5 quick thrusts inward and upward.
Check mouth again. Repeat cycle if needed. If no improvement or they lose consciousness â CPR.
Open mouth and look for the object. Only remove if you can clearly see it.
Stand behind dog, wrap arms around their belly just behind the ribcage.
Make a fist, place below ribcage. Give 5 quick thrusts upward and forward.
Look for dislodged object. Remove only if visible.
Repeat cycle if needed. If no improvement or they lose consciousness â CPR.
Even if object comes out â still see vet. Internal damage may not be visible.
⥠First: Confirm no breathing
Watch chest for movement. Feel for breath on your hand near nose. If breathing, do NOT perform CPR â stabilize and go to vet.
How big is your dog?
Lay pet on their side. Extend head and neck to straighten airway. Open mouth, pull tongue forward. Remove any visible obstructions.
Close mouth, seal your lips over nose. Breathe until chest rises. Give 2 breaths.
Feel inside of upper thigh (femoral artery) for 10 seconds max. If no pulse â compressions.
Lay on right side. Place hand over heart (just behind front elbow). Compress 1/3 to 1/2 chest depth.
Compression rate
100-120 / min
About 2 per second
30 compressions â 2 breaths. Check pulse every 2 minutes. Continue until breathing or at vet.
CPR ratio
30 : 2
30 compressions, 2 breaths
Lay pet on their side. Extend head and neck to straighten airway. Open mouth, pull tongue forward. Remove any visible obstructions.
Close mouth, seal your lips over nose. Breathe until chest rises. Give 2 breaths.
Feel inside of upper thigh (femoral artery) for 10 seconds max. If no pulse â compressions.
Lay on right side. Place both hands over widest part of chest. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 depth. Use body weight.
Compression rate
100-120 / min
About 2 per second
30 compressions â 2 breaths. Check pulse every 2 minutes. Continue until breathing or at vet.
CPR ratio
30 : 2
30 compressions, 2 breaths
CPR success rate is low.
You are giving your pet the best chance. Get to a vet as fast as possible.
Cool them down safely.
â ïļ NEVER use ice or ice water
Extreme cold causes blood vessels to constrict, trapping heat inside. Use cool water only.
Get out of heat. Indoors with AC is best. Car with AC running if needed.
Use cool (not cold) water on these areas:
Focus on:
Let them drink if alert. Don't force water. Small sips only.
Evaporation = cooling. Fan or blow on wet areas to speed cooling.
Get to vet even if they seem better. Internal damage may not be visible.
Don't
Any of these â Emergency vet immediately
Stay with them. You're doing the right thing.
Don't
Do
How long has this been happening?
They may be confused, wobbly, or temporarily blind. This is normal. Recovery can take minutes to hours.
What type?
Use a clean cloth, gauze, or towel. Press firmly. Hold 3-5 minutes without lifting.
If wound is on limb, raise above heart level while maintaining pressure.
Once bleeding slows, wrap with bandage. Snug but not circulation-cutting.
Even if bleeding stops, wounds need cleaning. Infection risk is high.
Go to vet IMMEDIATELY if:
Do not straighten or reposition. You can cause more damage.
If possible, immobilize with makeshift splint (rolled magazine, wooden spoon). Don't force if pet resists.
Pain can make pets bite. Use soft cloth as muzzle if needed.
Use a flat surface as stretcher. Keep injured area stable.
⥠Assume internal injuries
Even if pet seems okay, internal bleeding can be fatal. Emergency vet immediately.
Pet may be in shock or pain. Move slowly, speak softly. May bite from fear.
Watch for chest movement. If not breathing â CPR. Clear blood/debris from mouth.
Apply pressure to wounds. Don't remove objects stuck in wounds.
Use board, blanket, or coat as stretcher. Keep spine straight.
Cover with blanket to prevent shock. Time matters.
Stop pet from pawing at eye. E-collar if available, or restrain paws.
If debris or chemical: gently flush for several minutes. Tilt head so water runs away from good eye.
If something is stuck, leave it. Cover loosely with damp cloth.
Place damp cloth over eye during transport. Don't touch eyeball.
â ïļ All eye injuries need vet attention. Even minor injuries can cause vision loss.
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