Pet First Aid Essentials 2: How to Know if It's a Medical Emergency

Just like with other things in life, accidents and emergencies can happen to anyone. Many different situations can arise, but it is important for all pet owners to know the basics before heading to the veterinary hospital. The very first step is to recognize normal from abnormal. This can be done in just a couple of minutes and can help save your pet’s life.

If you suspect that your pet is in trouble, take a deep breath and follow these recommendations:

• Appraise the situation
• Remain calm – it may be emotionally taxing but you will be able to think more clearly if you remain calm.
• Be safe – remove yourself and your pet from further danger (ie. in the road)
• Can your pet walk or not?
• What happened? 
• Weakness or lethargy
• Vomiting
• Coughing
• Trauma
• Toxicity
• Seizure

It takes just a few seconds to appraise the situation and move on to the next step.

Evaluate the ABCs:

• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation

While your pet is normal and healthy, it is a good idea to find out what your pet’s normal ‘vital signs’ are. You can do this at home or have your veterinarian help you.  Knowing your pet’s typical heart rate, temperature, etc. can help you determine when to act. 

Airway:

• Is it open or obstructed?
• Was your pet chewing on a toy and suddenly collapsed or started coughing or breathing heavy?
• Look inside the mouth – take care, don’t get bitten!
• If you suspect a choke, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Take note of your pet’s gum and tongue color (mucous membrane color)*
• Normal: pink, moist
• Abnormal: purple, blue, brick red, white, yellow, or brown. Call your veterinarian.

* If your pet has a pigmented tongue, mucous membrane color can be checked on the vulva or inner eyelid

Breathing:

• Is your pet breathing?
• How fast or how slowly?
• Is it normal?
• Normal Respiration (breathing) rate
• What is normal for your pet?
• 10-30 breaths per minute is average ‘normal’
• Panting = up to 200 breaths per minute
• Panting can be a sign of pain or respiratory distress 

Circulation:

• Is there a heartbeat or a pulse present?
• You can check for a pulse on the inside of the rear leg, where the thigh meets the body wall. Press down gently. You can have your veterinarian show you how to do this.
• Is the heart rate normal?
• Normal heart rates
• What is normal for your pet?
• Puppy under 1 year of age: 120-160 beats per minute
• Adult under 30 pounds: 100-140 beats per minute
• Greater than 30 pounds: 60-120 beats per minute
• Not uncommon for giant breeds like Great Danes to have a heart rate of 70 

Other basic assessment information:

Temperature:

• It is best to take a rectal temperature on all animals
• Pets with a fever may be especially lethargic
• Normal temperatures for cats and dogs
• 100-102.5 F

If your pet’s temperature is below 99 F or above 104 F, this is an EMERGENCY, please call your veterinarian!

Once you have made your basic assessment of the situation and checked the ABCs, call the veterinarian. If you have someone with you to help, they can get the vet on the phone while you make your assessment. With a little know-how and practice, you can assess your animal swiftly in less than a couple of minutes.

Having basic information about the situation and how your pet is doing is helpful to the veterinarian. He or she can use this information to help you figure out what to do next.  Many times he or she will give instructions on how to safely transport your pet and keep him or her stable en route to the hospital.

Moving your Pet in an Emergency    

It is best to have a second or even third person to help in these times. Some dogs are especially large and you may injure yourself or your pet further without extra help. Call your neighbor or family member if you can.  Also keep in mind:

• Always take care to PROTECT YOURSELF
• DOGS and CATS WILL BITE OUT OF FEAR OR PAIN
• Use a ‘slip leash’ from your first aid kit as a muzzle if necessary to prevent bites
• Cover a cat’s head with a towel to prevent bites
• Get assistance when lifting dogs over 50 pounds
• Handle your pet as little as possible
• Use a gentle touch
• Lie pet on its side, if possible
• Place on a hard surface for transport
• Cover pet’s body with a blanket
• Position head in alignment with the body
• Drive carefully!

Our next installment in this series will cover common emergency situations. This will give you a basic idea of what to look out for and how to act quickly and effectively. Stay tuned!

Resources-

American National Red Cross. Dog First Aid: Be Read Cross Ready. Safety Series Vol. 2. Staywell Co. 2008.

Mamatto, Bobbie. Pet First Aid: Cats and Dogs.  American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States.  Mosby 1997.