Emergency Procedures

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calling the vet

  1. Toxic exposure
  • Signs of toxic exposure
    • Red eyes, pawing at the nose, whining
  • Call your vet and follow instructions for rinsing or decontamination; if veterinarian recommends, take to vet or 24/7 urgent care.

 

  1. Seizures
  • Signs of a seizure
    • Uncontrollable shaking of some or all extremities, lethargic, possibly bit tongue
  • Do not restrain your pet; place pillows gently around them and move everything that could harm the pet out of the way.
  • Make sure to speak to them in reassuring tones. DO NOT MAKE THEM ANY MORE ANXIOUS THAN THEY ALREADY ARE.
  • Try and time the seizure if you can.
  • Call your veterinarian.
  • Keep your pet warm and comfortable after the seizure; they will be slightly lethargic and weak.

 

  1. Poisoning
  • Signs of poisoning
    • Dry heaving, vomiting, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth
  • IMMEDIATELY call your veterinarian or Animal Poison Control (1-888-426-4435).
  • Have the container/product in hand and gather as much information as you can: name, description, how much pet ingested, and possibly how much time has passed since your pet has ingested.
  • Have your pet throw up in a bag or contained; keep and take to vet or 24/7 urgent care.

 

  1. Heatstroke
  • Signs of a heatstroke
    • Fast heart rate, rapid panting, shaking
  • Move pet to a cooler environment (preferably indoors) and place cold washcloths around their neck and head. Do not cover nose or mouth. Replace cold washcloths every 5 minutes.
  • Call your vet.
  • Place animal in cool bath or use hose to rinse over pet.
  • Transport the pet to your veterinarian or 24/7 urgent care with extra cold washcloths.

 

 

  1. Choking/Heimlich Maneuver
  • Signs of choking
    • Coughing noises, difficulty breathing, gasping/anxiously breathing, blue-tinged lips/tongue
  • Look into the pet’s mouth to see if the object is visible.
  • If visible, try ONCE to sweep the object out. DO NOT LODGE THE OBJECT DEEPER.
  • If possible, try and pick up pet by back legs (like a wheel-barrel) and they will naturally try to cough.
  • If that doesn’t work, place legs back on the ground and reach around the dog so both of your hands are on the pet’s abdomen (like we would help a human in a choking situation). Compress the abdomen by pushing up with your fists.
  • A little “pat” between the shoulder blades could do the trick, too!

 

 

*Do not hesitate to EVER call your veterinarian or take your pet to the nearest 24/7 urgent care.

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