Pet First Aid: Essential Skills Every Owner Should Know

Knowing basic first aid can stabilise your pet and save precious time in an emergency.

Your Pet First Aid Kit

Keep these items in a dedicated, accessible container:

• Gauze pads and rolls
• Adhesive tape (medical)
• Blunt-end scissors
• Tweezers (for splinters, ticks)
• Digital thermometer (rectal)
• Sterile saline solution (wound flushing)
• Antiseptic wipes
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (to induce vomiting — ONLY if instructed by vet)
• Elizabethan collar (cone)
• Emergency vet phone number
• Pet's medical records summary

Common Emergencies

Cuts and Wounds

Apply direct pressure with clean gauze for 5-10 minutes

If bleeding stops, flush with saline solution

Apply antiseptic

Cover with gauze and tape

See vet if: Deep wound, won't stop bleeding, bite wound, near eyes/joints

Burns

Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for 10 minutes

Cover with damp, clean cloth

Do NOT apply butter, ointment, or ice

See vet for any burn larger than a coin

Choking

Signs: Pawing at mouth, gagging, blue gums, panic

Open mouth and look for visible obstruction

If visible, try to gently sweep it out with your finger (be careful of bites)

If not visible or can't remove:

- Small dogs/cats: Hold upside down by hips, give 5 firm back blows between shoulder blades

- Large dogs: Stand behind, wrap arms around belly just behind ribs, give 5 quick upward thrusts (pet Heimlich)

Check mouth again after each cycle

Get to vet even if object is removed

Heatstroke

Signs: Excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, collapse

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. Heatstroke can kill in minutes.

Move to shade/air conditioning immediately

Apply cool (NOT cold) water to neck, armpits, and groin

Fan the wet areas

Offer small amounts of cool water to drink

Get to vet immediately — even if they seem better

Never: Use ice water (causes blood vessels to constrict, trapping heat).

Poisoning

Call your vet or poison helpline immediately

Identify what was eaten and how much

Do NOT induce vomiting unless specifically instructed

Bring the packaging or substance to the vet

Seizures

Stay calm — don't restrain your pet

Move furniture and hard objects away

Don't put anything in their mouth

Time the seizure (important for the vet)

After it stops, keep them warm and quiet

See vet if: Seizure lasts >3 minutes, multiple seizures, first seizure ever

Eye Injuries

Don't let them rub (use a cone if needed)

Flush with sterile saline

Cover with a damp cloth if the eye is bulging or damaged

See vet urgently — eye injuries deteriorate fast

CPR for Pets

When to perform: No breathing AND no heartbeat.

Lay pet on right side on a firm surface

Check for breathing: Look for chest movement, feel for air from nose

Check for pulse: Inside hind leg (femoral artery)

Rescue breaths: Close mouth, breathe into nose until chest rises. 1 breath every 3-5 seconds.

Chest compressions: Over the widest part of chest

- Small pets: 1 thumb, 120 compressions/min

- Medium/large: Both hands, 100-120 compressions/min

Alternate: 30 compressions, 2 breaths

Check for pulse every 2 minutes

Continue until breathing resumes or you reach the vet

When to Go to Emergency Vet

Don't wait for these:

• Difficulty breathing
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Suspected poisoning
• Seizures lasting >3 minutes
• Loss of consciousness
• Unable to stand or walk
• Bloated, hard abdomen (large dogs — could be GDV/bloat)
• Not breathing

Pet Capsule stores your emergency vet contacts, pet medical records, and provides the SOS feature for quick access in emergencies.