In An Emergency
 
It is best to consult with a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Get the phone number for emergency calls and put it in an easily located place. If your pet can breathe and is not bleeding profusely, it is best to just load them in the car and transport them to a veterinarian. A bed sheet or blanket can be used to pick up a badly hurt pet. Protect yourself from being accidentally bitten by covering the head with a towel or use a 2-inch gauze strip to muzzle your dog. If you use a gauze muzzle, be sure to remove it as soon as the dog is in the car. Leaving on a muzzle can lead to severe stress and overheating which is undesirable in an emergency.

Emergency Instructions
Use this basic method called the ABC's of first aid. Copy this part of the page and place it inside your pet's first-aid kit. Airway--is the airway open and can the pet breathe? If not breathing, open the mouth and look under the tongue and in the back of the throat. Rocks and balls can be stuck and a rapid squeeze of the chest can dislodge these if you can't reach the object. Be sure to hold the head down so gravity helps you. Breathing--Is your pet breathing? Begin mouth to nose artificial respiration. Extend your pet's neck, close his mouth and blow through the nose. Watch to see the chest wall expand. Don't over-inflate the lungs--blow only hard enough to lightly extend the chest wall. Cardiac--feel the chest wall and give CPR if needed. Your veterinarian can teach this skill to you. Stop excessive bleeding by applying direct pressure. For legs, wrap the leg with a large towel and use gauze or duct tape to secure it tightly. Transport immediately. If you use a tourniquet, be sure to loosen it every 8 minutes so that vital blood reaches the tissues. If you have other questions read on.

Home Made Pet First-Aid Kit
Home Made Pet First-Aid Kit - Sometimes an accident may occur when there is no competent veterinary care near. In such a case, you may have to help your pet. The following PET FIRST-AID KIT can be helpful in such a case.

• 2-inch gauze rolls. These are used to cover a wound, apply compresses, as a   tourniquet and as an emergency muzzle.
• 4-inch gauze pads. Use to cleanse and cover wounds. Cover a wound with a stack of pads and then secure it with a gauze roll and tape.
• Duct tape-one roll. Great for securing bandages or splints. A splint can be made by wrapping a newspaper or magazine around the affected leg and then taping it securely. You can make an emergency muzzle with this tape, too, but be sure to leave the end of the tape twisted so you can easily grab it to remove the muzzle.
• Hydrogen peroxide-3%. Use to clean out dirty wounds before bandaging. A teaspoon given orally can be used to induce vomiting if a pet has eaten a NON-CAUSTIC poison like snail or rodent bait.
• Neosporin wound ointment. This can be used on superficial wounds to prevent infection.
• Benadryl capsules, 25mg size. If your dog is bitten by a snake or bee, this medication can help while you transport it for veterinary care. Give a 50 lb. dog one capsule.
• Artificial tears. Available from your veterinarian, these help to wash out eye injuries without harming the delicate eye tissue.
• Styptic powder. This powder is used to stop bleeding of broken toenails. Available from your veterinarian or pet store. Don't put this on open bleeding cuts--use direct pressure and a bandage for cuts!
• Tweezers, hemostat, and bandage scissors. These are helpful for removing spines, splinters and cutting bandage material. Utility-type bandage shears are best.
• Rescue remedy. This is a holistic treatment that can be given in any emergency and helps to prevent shock. Give 3-4 drops under the tongue and transport. It is available in most health food stores.

Emergency Tips