In Case of Emergency - Pet First Aid

An injured paw, an open wound, an allergic reaction; these are just a few of the potential situations you might encounter with a pet that would require immediate action. What would you do? Would you know how to administer first aid? Having a basic knowledge of pet first aid procedures and how to perform them could reduce the severity of an incident and even mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged (or other) family member.

Christy's kitten, Scout.

In last month's pet health and safety post, June Means Hurricane Season - Are you Prepared?, we focused on the steps you should take to be ready should a storm impact you and your pet. Taking things a step further, this month we want to focus specifically on what to do if your pet gets hurt - information that is applicable at any time of the year. (Next month we'll take it a step further and explore pet microchipping.)

Pet injuries and illnesses present a unique problem since we cannot talk to them to discern what's wrong or ask them if or where it hurts. Some things are easy to detect, such as a bleeding cut or wound, or obvious limping. Handling an incident that will require giving your pet first aid begins with preparation and prevention.

According to Squad FiftyOne, the ten most common pet emergencies are: dog bites, allergic reactions, poisoning, blunt force trauma, coughing and choking, vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty urinating, seizures, difficulty breathing, and pain. It's important to know how to assess, treat and stabilize your pet ahead of time. Be sure to check for house call veterinarians or 24-hour emergency animal hospitals in your area and keep the telephone number(s) handy. (The side of the fridge, your car's visor or glove box, and your mobile phone are good places.)

Make sure your home is safe and free of potential dangers as much as possible by following the steps in American Humane's online fact sheet, Pet-Proofing Your Home. Next, purchase or assemble a first aid kit with pet-friendly items such as gauze, tweezers, and antibacterial cream. (See the ASPCA graphic below for additional kit items.) Depending on the size and breed of your fur baby, you may need a specialized kit such as those manufactured for small or large breed animals.

If your dog regularly rides in your car, make sure it won't become an accident zone. Keep him or her properly restrained and make sure there are no poison or choking hazards. Many of us lead rather busy, very active lifestyles and our vehicles can contain workout gear, tools, even the remains of meals on the go. According to the article, Common Pet Toxins in Your Purse, Backpack or Gym Bag, 50% of pet poisoning calls are due to exposure to human meds such as antidepressants and OTC pain killers.

Getting in and out of a car or truck, especially one that is high off the ground, could lead to strains or sprains, especially in older dogs. (Be sure to check paws thoroughly after being outdoors.) Something as simple as forgetting to cover the well for the spare tire could lead to a sprain or even a cut paw before you've even started the engine to go anywhere. Always check the interior before letting your dog jump into your vehicle.

Paws can become cracked and dry or sustain cuts, and foreign objects can become lodged in between the pads. The best treatment for dry or cracked paws is prevention; check paws regularly and apply paw balm as needed. Never use human hand moisturizer on dry paw pads.

When it comes to taking care of small cuts on your dog's paw, Web MD suggests cleaning with antibacterial wash and then covering the foot with a bootie. Don't use peroxide or alcohol, as these can potentially cause tissue damage.

Our client, Ramona, after injuring her foot.

A simple slip or fall, or even normal jumping during active play can cause strain to your pet. Muscle sprains are a common puppy injury; while trauma is often the cause, they can easily over exert themselves or become injured during rough play. Knowing the symptoms and causes of sprains (and the difference to a strain) will ensure your pup avoids injury (as much as is realistically possible) and receives proper care should something happen.

Soft tissue trauma can also occur in cats, especially in kittens that don't yet know their limits. Just because a cat can leap like a Superhero, it doesn't mean it should. All that jumping leads to heavy landing that can potentially cause sprains, strains and pulled muscles. Make sure cat towers are safe and try to discourage high climbing for kittens and senior cats.

If you think your fur baby has suffered a strain or sprain, call your vet immediately to find out if you can take care of the situation at home with anti-inflammatory meds and bandaging, or if you need to bring them in to be examined in person.

Did you know the Pet Poison Helpline answers over 100,000 calls annually from frantic pet parents whose animals have become victims of accidental overdose or toxic substance poisoning? There are a plethora of human foods and medications, house and garden plants, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other common chemicals in our everyday lives that are poisonous to pets lurking in homes, cars, and even suitcases that can lead to an emergency situation.

Please be aware that there is a $59 USD per incident fee if you call the helpline.

It's important to note that poisoning can result from inhalation and absorption as well as ingestion. Symptoms are not always obvious, and the treatment window for poisoning is very small, so once again, prevention is the best option. Animals can't be watched 24/7 so knowing the signs of poisoning is extremely important.

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of coordination, respiratory distress, drooling, twitching, tremors, and seizure in dogs and cats are all possible signs of exposure to a toxin. If you know what substance your pet has ingested, you may be able to get answers to your emergency quickly via your mobile phone with the Poison Helpline app.

Download the Pet Poison Helpline app (itunes) to instantly access a database of common household toxins from foods to chemicals that are poisonous to pets. The app also provides one-touch direct dial contact to the 24/7 Helpline's veterinary professionals. The ASPCA also has an app (an Android version is available for this one), you can read more about it here. Note that there is also a cost associated with calling their helpline.

One of the most difficult health emergencies is a non-responsive pet. The iheart dogs web article, Do You Know What to do if Your Dog Stops Breathing?, provides useful information on what to do in an emergency situation where your pup might need CPR. The procedure for compression would be the same for humans, but there are some safety concerns you should be aware of before attempting the procedure.

This Youtube video from Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, featuring Dr. Courtney Campbell, shows step by step how to help your pet if you have determined they require CPR.

Knowing just what steps to take will help you stay calm and feel confident in the event you notice your pet has a minor injury that does not require the immediate emergency care of a professional, or if your pet needs to be stabilized in order to be transported to the nearest pet ER.

Keep in mind that an injured pet is most likely in pain and may bite or scratch. Use caution and be gentle, that whole not speaking English thing makes it difficult for your fur baby to say "Ouch, that hurts!" Always keep extra gauze (or even panythose) on hand in case you need to improvise a muzzle.

At Petit Pet Care, we love animals! We care for your pet as if it were our own and that is why Christy is Red Cross Pet CPR and First Aid Certified. To locate a Pet First Aid and CPR class near you visit the Pet Tech PetSaver™ Program page.

Two final thoughts on pet safety in July -

July is Pet Hydration Month - see our Facebook page for several posts on how to keep your pets hydrated in summer and the rest of the year, as well as our Pinterest boards on pet health and safety and summer pet care.

July 15 was National Pet Fire Safety Day. Make sure smoke detectors are working and that you've taken the necessary steps to protect your babies in the event of a fire.



Helpful Links:

AVMA Pet First Aid Brochure

Create a Pet Poison First Aid Kit

Can I Treat My Pet's Wound at Home?

How to Create an Emergency Muzzle

Wound Treatment for Cats

When to Take a Dog to the Vet ASAP

Strains and Sprains Spell Pain for Dogs

Soft Tissue Injuries in Kittens


Additional Resources:

Paws on Safety: One Minute Pet Clinic Videos

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Monthly Podcasts

Prevent Accidental Medication Exposures in Pets

Top 10 Paw Care Tips for Dogs

Rabbit First Aid Kit

50 Page FREE Pet First Aid Downloadable ebook

The Benefits of Regular Grooming For Your Cat

Many pup parents frequently take their fur babies in for regular grooming, and for even more, regular baths at home are the norm, but what about feline family members? Cats spend quite a lot of time grooming themselves in the course of even a single day so it might be surprising to learn that they can actually benefit substantially from a little assistance by you.

If the idea of grooming a cat seems funny or foreign then consider this: Regular grooming is the best way to prevent hairballs. It promotes healthy skin, helps manage shedding and dander, prevents mats and tangles for long haired cats, and circumvents the digestive problems (and vet bills) associated with those nasty, dreaded trichobezoars (the technical term for hairballs) -- and that's just for starters.

So just exactly what is involved in grooming a cat? Regimens will vary slightly according to cat breed and age, but essentially, tending to coats, skin, claws, and ears monthly, weekly, or even daily is what's needed. Cats can be groomed at home or taken to a professional. Keep in mind that older cats and those in a single cat household will need a little extra help with the areas they can't reach themselves.

Our Clients Bean and Cosmo helping each other out with grooming tasks.

Most cats have a double coat. That means they have a layer of short hairs as well as another of longer hairs that are different textures and serve different functions. Indoor-only cats tend to shed a bit year-round, so it's a good idea to brush them regularly to keep hair from ending up everywhere from in their gut to all over your clothing and furniture.

Short hair cats can benefit from weekly brushing while long haired cats will need it more often - like daily. You can even follow up a good brushing with a few passes from a wipe/moist towelette to get at any remaining hairs. Be sure to choose the right brush for the type of coat that your cat has, and keep in mind that brushing also promotes good skin health.

In addition to regular brushing, some cats will actually benefit from an occasional bath. While it's generally thought that cats naturally loathe water, the truth is that many don't mind it all. If your cat is young, affectionate, and/or likes attention, chances are bath time will go over a lot easier with them.

Our Client Mina thinks water is for playtime.

The good news though is that baths are rarely necessary - only when kitty has gotten into something sticky, smelly, greasy, super dusty, or something you wouldn't want her to try and lick off. Of course if kitty spends time outdoors this will increase the chance of her getting dirty and possibly needing a wash.

A dip in the tub could also be in order if your cat is older and can no longer reach everywhere as easily. Be sure to check the backside of fur babies with long hair for "leftovers"... If the time comes where you've determined your feline friend does indeed need a bath, be sure to only use cat approved shampoo as anything else can be too drying to their skin.

Bath or no bath, when it comes to grooming your cat you will actually want to start with their claws, especially for felines not used to a grooming regimen. Cats need to scratch and claw to maintain their nails so you can proactively protect your rugs and furniture by helping them out with a regular mani-pedi.

These sweet little paws belong our client Gherig.

An added benefit to regular nail maintenance is that it allows affectionate kitties to play with you and put their paws on you without snagging your clothing or accidentally clawing and scratching up your skin. It will also make any visits to the vet easier and safer. By no means should you ever declaw a cat.

If you're not squeamish, you can learn to clip the tip of kitty's nails yourself, taking special care to avoid the quick (that pink area). You'll want to clip only the tip, and at just the right angle; here's a great youtube video from PetCo that demonstrates how to give kitty a nail trim.

Does your kitty have any extra toes? Polydactyl cats in particular will need a regular nail trim to protect their paws from ingrown nails. Kitties with extra toes need to be monitored carefully so they don't incur injury, and in some cases poly cats may need their extra claw removed (not a declawing) in order to prevent infection and trauma.

Our client, David, is a polydactyl.

In between nail trims it's also a good idea to regularly inspect paw pads for cuts or other issues, and you might give them a wipe periodically as well. After all, kitty spends a lot of time walking around the house barefoot.

Cleaning your cat's ears is something you won't have to do often, but they should be checked regularly to be sure kitty doesn't have any ear health problems. Examine the outer area first and call your vet if you see anything out of the ordinary such as bald spots or sores. If kitty's ears are a little dirty they can be cleaned easily with a moist cotton ball.

Never use cotton swabs inside, and unless you have experience cleaning your cat's ears, it isn't a good idea to try an ear solution. Extensive cleaning is best left to your vet, especially if your cat is a little older and not accustomed to grooming. To get your fur baby used to having her ears handled, you may want to start my gently massaging them. In addition to looking clean, a healthy ear should smell clean. If there's any doubt, check with your vet.

In addition to the overall health benefits, grooming provides an opportunity to examine your cat for any possible skin conditions, lumps, bumps or insects. It's also a great way to to bond with your fur baby and show affection.

For more information on grooming and other aspects of cat care, be sure to check out our Pinterest board: Cat Culture


Useful links:

Health Benefits of Grooming Your Cat

A Cat Parent's Guide to Grooming

Cat Grooming Tips from the ASPCA

Different Strokes for Different Coats

Tips For Preventing and Treating Hairballs in Cats

How to Best Take Care of Cat Claws

Safe Alternatives to Declawing Your Cat