Emergencies do happen!!  Please always be prepared for them by having a first aid kit together and with you.  It is also a good idea to have some training on CPR or administering first aid.  (Please see our pages on putting together a first aid kit and administering CPR.)Your pet is very similar to a human.....cuts and minor wounds can be treated the same way.   Remember, the animal could be scared and bite from fear.  Always be careful when tending to a wounded or scared animal!!

During an emergency it is very important that you remain calm. Animals can sense your tension, but cannot understand what is happening. Your body language is also very important. Stay calm, yet deliberate in your actions.

After you determine that you either have corrected the life-threatening problem or the animal, or are personally unable to stabilize him, immediately transport him to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Using your cell phone in the car on your way to hospital saves precious time when you arrive.  Ahead of time give them the following information via phone if possible:

• Your name
• Your estimated time of arrival
• Situation (what happened and what are symptoms)
• If a foreign body, what the suspected object is
• If a poison or medication what was been ingested (if possible, bring it with you with the label listing ingredients)
• Mechanism of injury (dog fight, hit by car etc...)
• What treatment you administered to animal and its results
• Breed and size of animal

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