First Aid For Pets

Written by Shula Berg BVSc CertAVP(GSAS) GPAdvCert(SASTS) MRCVS
Clinically reviewed by Elizabeth McLennan-Green BVM&S CertAVP(SAM) MRCVS

- Intro
- Basic First Aid
- Wounds/Bleeding
- Heatstroke
- Burns
- Seizures
- Poisoning

First aid is defined as “the immediate treatment of injured animals or those suffering from illness”. It’s not something we ever hope to have to use, but there are some situations where fast action from you, as a pet owner, can make a significant difference to the outcome for your pet.

Although they can be very alarming to see, the majority of accidents and injuries that happen to our pets are not true emergencies and there is plenty of time to seek help. In the event of an accident, the most important thing you can do for your pet is not panic. Contact your veterinary surgery as soon as possible and they will be able to advise you on whether to try and administer first aid, or simply get to the practice as soon as possible. All veterinary practices are required to have out-of-hours provision, however this may be in a different location to your normal practice – we recommend you find this out before you need it, and always have the emergency number to hand when out with your dog.

Signs that should always prompt an immediate visit to the vets include:

Struggling to breathe
Collapse, in which the pet is completely unable to stand
Sudden bloating of the abdomen
Seizure that doesn’t stop within 1 minute

Basic Emergency Care

As much as sudden accidents and injuries are traumatic for us to see, they can be very scary for our pets. Often, adrenaline takes over and pets react on basic instincts. This includes protecting themselves from further pain and can cause animals to be very defensive when touched. Even the gentlest of pets can react aggressively after an injury, so always approach calmly and take care not to become injured yourself.

Move pets as gently as possible – for larger pets such as dogs, sliding or rolling them onto a blanket can make moving them easier as you can carry this like a stretcher. For dogs that are trying to bite, you can use a fabric tie or string to create a tape muzzle. Create a loop with a loose knot, slide it over the muzzle from a short distance away, and tighten so they cannot open their mouth. This isn’t safe for long periods of time but will enable you to safely move the pet to get help.

In the case of major trauma such as road traffic accidents, call your veterinary clinic immediately. They will be able to explain whether any first aid is appropriate and will most likely ask you to attend the clinic as soon as possible. Always try to call first, even if you are already en route, as the practice will be able to make sure somebody is available and ready to help your pet.

Specific Situations

Here, we will consider some specific situations in which it may be appropriate to administer first aid at home.

Wounds/Bleeding

Dogs very commonly cut themselves while out walking, often on the paw pads, lower limbs and flank. The paws and ears in particular have a very good blood supply, meaning bleeding can appear to be profuse. Bleeding is rarely as serious as it looks, and a little bit of blood can go a long way! You can apply a clean cover to wounds; fabric such as clothing is fine if you don’t have dressing materials. Press firmly at first to help the blood to clot, and don’t be tempted to keep peeling back the dressing to check as this will prompt more bleeding.

Open wounds that are visibly contaminated (containing dirt, grass or other debris) can be rinsed using clean bottled water. If the wound is relatively clean, it is better to wait and let your vet use a sterile solution.

Some superficial wounds will heal on their own, while deeper wounds may need stitching to facilitate prompt healing. It is essential to not allow your pet to lick their wounds, as this will introduce infection.

Heatstroke

Although typically associated with hot weather, heat stroke often occurs when the ambient temperature is not excessively hot. Pets that are very young, very old or overweight are likely to find it harder to control their body temperature, and dogs that have flat faces (known as brachycephalic) are at a significantly increased risk of heat related problems.

Heat stress starts as a reversible condition, but if not managed it will develop to heat stroke, which is extremely dangerous. Signs that should raise concern of heat stress include:

Heavy panting (that does not stop after a few minutes)
Excessive salivation
Rapid heart/pulse rate
Very red gums and/or tongue
Lethargy

If your pet shows any of these signs, they should be moved to a cool area and offered plenty of water to drink. Panting is a normal response to enable dogs to take in cooler air if they’re too hot but should settle down quickly. You can use fans and apply cool water to help reduce their temperature, but never expose pets to cold water as this can send them into shock. If signs are not improving within 5 minutes, seek immediate veterinary advice. Cats don’t tend to pant as readily as dogs, so any heavy panting should be cause for concern.

Pets that are severely affected and develop heat stroke may go on to show vomiting and diarrhoea, lack of coordination, reluctance or inability to stand, and loss of consciousness. These signs require immediate veterinary attention; heat stroke is an emergency and can prove rapidly fatal. If your pet shows the above signs, do not try to treat them at home - seek urgent veterinary care.

Burns

Burns can be created through heat (e.g. touching hot pans, heaters), chemicals (e.g. licking bleach) or electricals (e.g. chewing wires).

For heat and chemical burns, run cool water (not ice cold) over the affected area for a minimum of five minutes. Don’t be tempted to apply any creams or treatments to the wound as this could complicate healing and contaminate the area. Apply a sterile dressing if you have one (such as from a first-aid kit) and wrap the area in cling film to keep it moist, then seek veterinary attention.

Burns damage the cells in the skin and deeper layers, however it can take up to three days for this damage to become apparent as cells die off. Fur can also cover the damage, so often what looks minor at first can become very serious. It is important to always get burns checked by a vet even if they look mild. Prevention is better than cure though, so keep pets away from cooking, indoor heaters and hot bath water!

Seizures

During a seizure, pets are usually not responsive and may show movement such as paddling of the limbs or passing urine or faeces. If your pet is having a seizure, don’t try to move them. Moving an animal during a seizure endangers both of you, and excess stimulation can make seizures worse. Instead, clear the area around them and turn off any bright lights and stimuli, such as radios and televisions. Check that they are breathing but keep calm and speak in soothing tones to relax them. Animals can be disorientated during or after a seizure, so keep your hands away from their mouth as they can bite.

Seizures can last anywhere from seconds to minutes, but most will stop within 90 seconds. They often feel like they last for a very long time - if you can time the seizure this is very helpful for your vet. If your pet has a seizure, call your vet for advice but don’t try to move them until they have come round. Your vet will be able to advise on whether they need seeing or should be allowed to recover for a while at home first.

Poisoning

Toxin ingestion is a very common reason for pets to have to visit the vet. There are many toxins that can be harmful to your pet. However, some are everyday substances that may not be obviously harmful, such as human food and medications. The most common toxicities we see are:

Chocolate
Raisins
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Lilies (cats only)
Xylitol (in sugar free products, chewing gum etc.)
Human medications or those belonging to other pets (especially spot-on treatments)
Overdose of prescribed medications
Rat/slug bait

Different toxins all have different symptoms; some show signs quickly while others may take 12-48 hours to make the pet ill. Prevention is better than cure! If you suspect your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t don’t “wait and see” - fast treatment is the most effective way to prevent permanent organ damage. Don’t attempt first aid at home but do bring as much information as possible with you to the vets about what has been eaten, how much and when.

If your pet has ingested something and you are unsure whether treatment is needed, the Animal Poison Line offers a 24-hour helpline and is run by the Veterinary Poison Information Service. They have a huge database of information and will quickly tell you if your pet needs to see a vet or not. They can be reached by calling 01202 509000 – please note that this is a chargeable service.

Disclaimer

Please note that the content made available on this webpage is for general information purposes only. Whilst we try to ensure that at the time of writing all material is up to date and reflects industry standards, we make no representation, warranties or guarantees that the information made available is up to date, accurate or complete. Any reliance placed by yourselves is done so at your own risk.

First Aid For Pets

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