This third installment in our series on Pet First Aid will cover the most common emergencies you may encounter at home with a cat or dog. It is important to have your pet First Aid Kit well-supplied and accessible in times of need. We’ve also discussed the ABC basics of assessing an emergency situation. Having a little bit of knowledge about each particular situation can help you act sooner and could improve the outcome.
Fever
I’ve often had owners call to tell me that their pet ‘feels hot’. If you think that your pet ‘feels hot’ to the touch on the ears, head or abdomen, she may or may not have a fever. The normal body temperature of dogs and cats is higher than for humans (100-102 F) so pets can ‘feel hot’ in comparison to our normal body temperature of around 98.6 F.
The only way to know for sure is to take a rectal temperature reading. In your pet First Aid Kit you should have a digital thermometer and lubrication such as Vaseline or KY Jelly. Put a little lube on the end of the thermometer and gently insert into your pet’s rectum. Most pets will not tolerate this – have someone secure your pet’s head and stay safe – avoid getting bitten or scratched. If you cannot take a temperature reading or it is unsafe to do so, go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
There are two different things that can cause an elevation in body temperature: fever and heat stroke. Here are signs of fever that you need to be aware of:
- Pet may feel “hot”, lethargic, not eating, shivering, coughing, nasal discharge, etc.
- Fever: Rectal temperature over 102.5 F when at rest
A fever is the body’s natural response to inflammation or infection. Fevers can be a good thing in helping the body fight off illness, but they are worrisome because they can also be damaging if not monitored closely.
- If over 103 F, contact a veterinarian
- Fever over 106 F can be life threatening
What do I do?
- Stay calm. Keep your pet comfortable.
- Check ABCs – note any abnormalities
- Record the rectal temperature for the vet
- If temp over 105 F, apply cool water or rubbing alcohol to the paw pads and ears
- Direct a fan on pet
- Discontinue cooling once rectal temp is 103
- Encourage pet to drink cool water
- DO NOT GIVE ANY MEDICATIONS BY MOUTH
- DO NOT IMMERSE PET IN COLD WATER
However, it is important to differentiate heatstroke with fever:
Hyperthermia/Heatstroke-
- Elevated temperature above 103 F
- More common during hot summer days
- Exercise on hot/humid days
- Obese animals are at higher risk
- ‘Smushy-face’ breeds (brachycephalics) such as bulldogs and pugs are at higher risk
- Dogs with airway disease are at higher risk
- Inside a car, even with windows down
- Temperatures inside a car can increase by 40 degrees within one hour, even when the outside temp is as low as 70 F!
- Remove pet to a cooler environment
- Direct a fan onto pet
- Check ABCs- note any abnormalities
- Monitor rectal temperature, record it every couple of minutes
- Place cool, wet towels along the pet’s back, apply cool water frequently to ears and paw pads
- DO NOT
- Use ice for cooling
- Immerse pet in water
- Leave pet unattended
- Contact a veterinarian ASAP
Seizures
Another common emergency is a seizure. Seizures can affect old and young pets. A seizure is recognized by sudden and uncontrolled body movement. They can affect the entire body or just part of it. The pet will become unresponsive, may urinate and/or defecate during the episode. They can last a few seconds or several minutes. There are many causes of seizures.
Seizures are very scary to witness. Here are some key points to remember:
- Remain calm
- Speak to him or her in a calm, soothing voice
- Keep pet from injuring itself—move away from stairs or water
- Check ABCs- note any abnormalities
- Protect yourself from being bitten
- Do not put your hand in their mouth - they will NOT swallow their tongue!
- Record the time the seizure begins and ends
- Record any particular characteristics
- Twitching, ‘paddling’
- Eye movement
- Response to your voice, or lack of
- Blindness or visual deficits after the event
- If your dog or cat is less than 12 weeks of age and has a seizure, this may be due to low blood sugar. Use the end of a spoon and scrape ½ teaspoon of honey from your pet First Aid Kit onto the tongue and gums.
- If the seizure lasts for more than 3 minutes, take their rectal temperature and speak to your veterinarian as soon as possible. In this situation the veterinarian may give specific instructions on how to transport your pet to the hospital.
Your pet may act ‘strangely’ after a seizure. Some can seem really tired, while others are wired and almost ‘manic.’ This can be typical. It is important to stay with your pet during and after the seizure. It is safest to move your pet and travel to the veterinarian after the seizure episode is over. Any information you can gather for the veterinarian is important. Some owners are able to use a smartphone or camera and videotape the episode. If your pet is in a safe location, a video like this can help with your vet’s diagnostic process.
For our fourth and final article in this series on Pet First Aid, we will discuss other common emergencies such as dog fights and allergies. 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.
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