What to do in an emergency

Knowing what to do in within the first few minutes of an emergency can be critical in saving your pet’s life.

Make sure you read through this potentially lifesaving advice – and that your family does too.

Not breathing

• Hold the mouth closed and keep the neck extended.
• Place your mouth around the nostrils and breathe until the chest wall rises.
• Give five breaths quickly, then one breath every 5 seconds.

Unconscious 

• Monitor breathing and keep the neck extended to open the airway during transport.

Bleeding

• Apply a clean cloth or dressing and apply firm pressure during transport.

Seizure (fitting)

• Ensure your pet is unable to harm himself on his surroundings.
• Do not place fingers near the mouth.
• Keep him lying on his side with neck extended.
• Beware when he is recovering not to over stimulate with noise and be careful he does not bite.
• Remember - sometimes they are ‘not themselves’ when waking from a seizure.

Snake bite

• Bring them directly to Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre.
• If your pet stops breathing – keep breathing for them by holding the mouth closed and keep the neck extended.
• Place your mouth around the nostrils and breathe until the chest wall rises.
• Give five breaths quickly, then one breath every 5 seconds.

If your pet has eaten snail pellets

• Bring them directly to Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre.
• All snail pellets are toxic.
• If they start seizuring see the notes above.
• Keep them lying on their side with their head and neck extended and slightly downwards so they don’t choke on the saliva build up.

If your pet is has been hit by a car

• Try not to panic them any further, keep everyone calm.
• Warm them by wrapping in a blanket, keeping the nose and mouth exposed and carefully transport them directly to the hospital.
• If you think there may be broken bones, keep them as still as possible and place them on a hard moveable surface such as piece of wooden board covered with a blanket.
• Do not give any medications.

Dog attack

• Keep them calm and warm in a blanket and keep the nose and mouth exposed. 
• Try not to handle them more than necessary as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. 
• If your pet is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. 
• If your pet is large, then place them on a large blanket for easily lifting.