Tag Archives: pet first aid

Poisons: Symptoms and Treatments

A pet who has ingested or been exposed to a toxic substance will exhibit different symptoms depending on several variables: the kind of poison, the amount of the substance, and the individual pet. If you believe your pet has been poisoned, call your vet immediately! Acid (bleach, drain cleaners) or alkali (ammonia, laundry detergent) poisoning. If acid is swallowed, the pet will drool and paw at his mouth. He may also experience abdominal pain. If the acid is on the skin, the pet will whine or cry, roll on the ground, or lick the burned spot. Rinse his mouth with … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Poison

In general, dogs are more likely to intentionally eat something poisonous like chocolate or sweet-smelling antifreeze; cats are more likely to walk through something toxic and later ingest it when grooming. The symptoms of poisoning depend on the kind of poison, the type of exposure (internal or external), the amount of exposure, and the particular pet. Some poisons, like flea-product toxicity, can develop symptoms within twenty minutes. Others may take hours to show. Poisoning is an emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention — be sure to bring along whatever it is your pet has eaten. Many poisons have very specific … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Cleaning Wounds

Any break in the skin — a cut, a scrape, a broken blister — can allow bacteria and other foreign matter to enter a wound and possibly cause infection. Bleeding can help flush out dangerous material, but you may need to clean a wound to protect your pet from further harm. In fact, if a wound is bleeding profusely, don’t try to clean it right away. This can cause a wound to bleed more. Wait until the bleeding has stopped before trying to clean a wound. Get long fur out of the way. Use a pair of safety scissors (with … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Bandage Basics

A bandage can help protect a wound from licking or chewing. A bandage is also a great protection from contamination! Bandages are also useful in controlling bleeding and absorbing seepage. Your basic bandage has three parts: the absorbent pad, the gauze wrap, and the tape. You want your padding to be non-stick, otherwise it will be hard to remove later. Wrap gauze over the pad to keep it in place, then use tape to secure the gauze. You can tape over the fur a little, to help keep the bandage in place — just don’t tape too tightly. Be sure … Continue reading →

Car Accident Aftercare

If your dog or cat has been hit by a car, they will need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pet may walk away from the impact but could have serious injuries anyway! After seeing your veterinarian, you may have a long recovery ahead of you. Here are some tips for caring for a pet who has been in a car accident. Keep the bandages clean and dry. You can wrap bandages in plastic wrap when your pet goes outside to protect them from dirt and damage. Don’t leave the plastic wrap on — wounds and bandages … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Car Accidents

Car accidents don’t have to be fatal. You may have heard of or seen a dog or cat who walked away from a car accident, thanks no doubt to their amazing flexibility and protective layers of fur. However, just because an animal CAN walk away from an accident doesn’t mean it is uninjured. Internal injuries may take days to show up. Here’s what you should do if your pet is hit by a car: Muzzle them if they are not having trouble breathing. An injured dog or cat may bite the first person who tries to help them. You can … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Triage

Triage is the process of prioritizing injuries and body conditions in order of severity. If your pet is seriously ill or has been seriously injured, triage will help you choose the most dangerous risk to use first aid on first. Before attending to your pet, make sure you are in a safe place. Performing first aid in the middle of a busy street where your pet has been hit by a car is not good for either of you. Relocate to a secure place whenever possible. Keep in mind the basics of emergency health care: Check, Call, Care. Check your … Continue reading →

Dealing With Ticks

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Springtime means tick time for many parts of the country. There are more than 800 different species of ticks out there; about a hundred of those are capable of transmitting diseases to humans and pets! If you walk in a high tick area — like a forest — be sure to check yourself and your pet thoroughly when you get home. An engorged tick that has latched onto your dog or cat will look kind of like a kernel of corn. The little tick will be swollen with your pet’s blood. An engorged tick can be removed by hand, or … Continue reading →

Human Medicine For Cats

Despite the huge difference in size between you and your cat, there are certain human medicines that can be beneficial for your sick kitty. Below is a list of some common stuff from your medicine cabinet that may be useful for your kitties. It is always best to check with your vet before giving your pet ANY human medicine. PLEASE NOTE: This list is not intended to diagnose problems or be a substitute for proper veterinary care. If your pet has a serious health issue, please call your vet immediately. Anbesol: Can be used ONCE on your cat for mouth … Continue reading →

Human Medicine For Dogs

There are some medicines for people that are safe for use on your pets, believe it or not. Your dogs may benefit from some of the same medicines you do! Here is a list of some common stuff in your medicine cabinet that may be useful for your pups. It is always best to check with your vet before giving your pet ANY human medicine. PLEASE NOTE: This list is not intended to diagnose problems or be a substitute for proper veterinary care. If your pet has a serious health issue, please call your vet immediately. Anbesol: Can be used … Continue reading →