A pet emergency can strike at any time and most often when you least expect it. We understand that this can be a frightening experience We have complied a list of first aid tips to help you be prepared and make this scary experience just a little bit easier.
Small Animal Emergency Care
We currently offer emergency care only during normal business hours. All small animal emergencies that occur after-hours will be referred to Cabarrus Emergency Hospital. They can be reached at 704-932-1182.
Production Animal Emergency Care
We currently offer production animal after-hours emergency care until 10:00pm and before regular office hours starting at 5:00am. Please call our main telephone number (704-636-3408) for instructions for after-hours emergencies. This includes cattle, swine, sheep and goats and is subject to after-hours service fees.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
A-B-C's of First Aid
There are several emergency situations that are common. The following recommendations could be valuable for you to know.
In any emergency situation, keep the pet quiet as possible and try to conserve heat by covering it with bedding or newspapers. If necessary, apply A, B, C of first aid:
A Airways
B Breathing
C Cardiac function
Airway – Anything that obstructs the airway prevents oxygen entering the lungs. Do your best to clear the mouth and throat of any obstruction such as vomitus, saliva or foreign bodies such as grass, stick or balls. Be careful; your pet may bite you in panic.
Breathing – If your dog is unconscious and does not appear to be breathing, try gently pumping the chest with the palm of your hand, at the same time feeling just behind the elbow to detect a heartbeat or pulse. Close the muzzle with your hand and blow into the nostril. This is best accomplished by covering the pet’s nose with your mouth. Be careful. Injured pets may bite you out of fear. If you are unsure about the health or vaccination status of the injured pet, avoid contact with bodily fluids and blood.
Cardiac function – if you are unable to detect a heartbeat or pulse or if appears weak and slow, try pressing on the chest with your palm. Five (5) chest compressions followed by one to two (1-2) deep breaths is a simple form of animal cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
In any emergency situation, keep the pet quiet as possible and try to conserve heat by covering it with bedding or newspapers. If necessary, apply A, B, C of first aid:
A Airways
B Breathing
C Cardiac function
Airway – Anything that obstructs the airway prevents oxygen entering the lungs. Do your best to clear the mouth and throat of any obstruction such as vomitus, saliva or foreign bodies such as grass, stick or balls. Be careful; your pet may bite you in panic.
Breathing – If your dog is unconscious and does not appear to be breathing, try gently pumping the chest with the palm of your hand, at the same time feeling just behind the elbow to detect a heartbeat or pulse. Close the muzzle with your hand and blow into the nostril. This is best accomplished by covering the pet’s nose with your mouth. Be careful. Injured pets may bite you out of fear. If you are unsure about the health or vaccination status of the injured pet, avoid contact with bodily fluids and blood.
Cardiac function – if you are unable to detect a heartbeat or pulse or if appears weak and slow, try pressing on the chest with your palm. Five (5) chest compressions followed by one to two (1-2) deep breaths is a simple form of animal cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Possible Poisoning
For possible poisoning call ASPCA Poison Control Center 24 Hours a day (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card by ASPCA.
Cuts/Lacerations
If the bleeding is severe, try to stop it. Apply direct pressure to control bleeding. If bleeding is from a cut pad or paw, apply dressing using a piece of bandage or clothing. If the bleeding persists and is soaking through the bandage, this is a medical emergency. Most bleeding wounds will require medical or surgical treatment. If the wounds are treated within four (4) hours, they can often be sutured. Deep cuts treated after four hours have increased risk of infection and complications.
Use a Neosporin-type ointment for minor wounds two times per day.
Use a Neosporin-type ointment for minor wounds two times per day.
Eye Injuries
Injuries to the eye are always very painful. If a foreign body (grass, stick, etc.) can be seen, it may be possible to remove it by gently rinsing the eye with eye wash or contact saline solution. Seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
Burns and Scalds
Cool the burned area with cold water as quickly as possible. Cover the burned area with damp towels. If the injury is due to a caustic substance, rinse with cold water for fifteen (15) minutes and contact your veterinarian.
Choking/Not Breathing
If gagging or coughing: watch to see if pet will clear airway on his own.
If not breathing:
If not breathing:
- Gently touch the eyeball to see blink response.
- Check mouth for foreign object and pull tongue forward slightly.
- Close mouth, cup hands in circle over pet's nostrils, and gently blow in air.
- Call your Veterinarian.
Rash on Skin (NO Pus)
Apply hydrocortisone cream twice a day. If not clear in 24 hours, see your Veterinarian.
Vaccine Reaction
The most common reactions to vaccines are injection site discomfort, decreased social behavior, and decreased appetite. These should resolve without treatment within 1-2 days. Small dogs that are not interested in eating are at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you are concerned that your pet may be at risk contact a veterinarian immediately. If you are not able to get in touch with a veterinarian and your pet does not eat, seems tired, or has pale looking gums offer honey or corn syrup every few hours until they start to perk up.
Rare reactions include facial swelling, whole body swelling, trouble breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. These reactions are typically more serious. If you notice any of these symptoms after a vaccination contact a veterinarian immediately. If you are unable to get in touch with a veterinarian check your pet's airway to make sure it is clear and that they are breathing without labor. Consider giving an antihistamine (Benadryl) to help with swelling if you are unable to speak with or have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian.
Rare reactions include facial swelling, whole body swelling, trouble breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. These reactions are typically more serious. If you notice any of these symptoms after a vaccination contact a veterinarian immediately. If you are unable to get in touch with a veterinarian check your pet's airway to make sure it is clear and that they are breathing without labor. Consider giving an antihistamine (Benadryl) to help with swelling if you are unable to speak with or have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian.
Diarrhea
If your pet is still eating and active, try a bland diet such as boiled chicken and rice or chicken baby food. If not clear in 24 hours or blood develops in the stool, contact us. (Do not feed baby food with onion content to cats)
Vomiting
Try bland food (see above). If your pet vomits more than one time and your pet stops eating, call your Veterinarian.
Bee Sting
Dogs - Apply cool compress to the sting area and give one 25 mg Benadryl tablet to dogs over 25 pounds in body weight. (liquid Benadryl 1 mg. per pound may be used for small dogs).
Cats - Apply cool compress only.
Cats - Apply cool compress only.
Snake Bite
Follow same instructions as bee sting, call your Veterinarian.
Hit by a Car
For Dogs: Use a muzzle to control a "fear or pain" bite; a shoestring works well in an emergency. If your pet cannot walk, slide him onto a blanket to use as a stretcher.
For Cats: Use a towel or towels to wrap the cat in order to calm it and reduce the risk of a "fear or pain" bite; if available, thick gloves can also reduce the risk of a bite.
Call your veterinarian for further instructions.
For Cats: Use a towel or towels to wrap the cat in order to calm it and reduce the risk of a "fear or pain" bite; if available, thick gloves can also reduce the risk of a bite.
Call your veterinarian for further instructions.
Seizuring
Seizures can be due to many causes. These range from eclampsia (milk fever) to epilepsy. If due to eclampsia, remove the puppies from the mother immediately. All dogs that are seizuring or have had a recent seizure should be kept in a dark, quiet, confined area until medical help can be sought. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
If your pet is having a seizure follow the steps below:
If your pet is having a seizure follow the steps below:
- Be sure to protect yourself. Your pet may be disoriented and may not realize they are being aggressive towards you. If you are injured you cannot take care of your pet.
- Stabilize your pet by gently coddling them if possible or placing a towel under their head. Try to buffer any spasms that might result in injury. Do not put your fingers in their mouth.
- If the seizure activity continues for an extended period (1-3 minutes) this is considered an emergency. If is a good idea to have your emergency plan in mind. For example know what facilities are open depending on the time of day. Have the directions printed out and prepared. Have emergency numbers written clearly.
- If you are unable to get to a veterinarian continue to try and calm your pet. Talk slowly and gently. If the seizure is persistent you will need to give your pet a rubbing alcohol bath to help reduce body temperature. Rising core body temperature can cause long term brain damage. Keeping down fever is extremely important. Use rubbing alcohol on the skin avoiding the genitalia and the eyes, nose and mouth. Place your pet in front of a fan after applying the alcohol. This will help cool them down.
Over-heated/Heat Stroke
This most commonly occurs in hot weather when dogs without adequate ventilation. Body temperature rises dramatically. Clinical signs are excessive panting and obvious distress quickly followed by coma and death. Reduce the pet’s body temperature as quickly as possible using cool water and transport the dog to the veterinarian while it is still wet. Keep the car windows open. Evaporation will help reduce body temperature. Avoid using ice or ice water because this may drop temperature too quickly and cause additional complications.
It is essential to remove the dog from the hot environment immediately. If it is unconscious, make sure no water enters the nose or mouth as you follow these guidelines. Also, do not give the dog aspirin to lower its temperature; this can lead to other problems.
It is essential to remove the dog from the hot environment immediately. If it is unconscious, make sure no water enters the nose or mouth as you follow these guidelines. Also, do not give the dog aspirin to lower its temperature; this can lead to other problems.
- Put your dog in the bath tub.
- Run a cool (not cold) shower over your pet, covering the whole body -- especially the back of the head and neck.
- Allow the water to fill up the bathtub as you shower the dog. Keep the head elevated to prevent aspiration pneumonia.
- If getting the dog into the tub is impractical, use a garden hose to cool the dog or place him in a pool of cool water.
- Apply a cold pack to the dog’s head to help lower his body temperature -- a packet of frozen vegetables works fine.
- Massage the legs. A vigorous rubbing helps the dog’s circulation and reduces the risks of shock.
- Let the dog drink as much cool or cold water as it wants. Adding a pinch of salt to the water bowl will help the dog replace the minerals it lost through panting.