Just as with humans, FIRST AID can save pet lives. Study this section carefully.

First Aid Kits

First aid kits for dogs/cats are available to buy at various outlets, eg. RSPCA and pet shops.

It's a good idea to carry a First Aid Kit with you when you take your dog out for daily activities. It is especially important to pack a First Aid kit when traveling with pets.

First Aid Kit Contents

A basic first aid kit should contain: antiseptic wash, eye dropper, gauze swabs, hydrogen peroxide 3%, paraffin oil, cotton wool, adhesive bandage, roll of gauze bandage, scissors, syringe, thermometer, iodine tincture, torch, tweezers, vet-wrap.

If a health emergency develops, you may be uncertain whether to call your veterinarian or to "wait and see". The following list may help you assess the situation:

CALL 0418 863 908 immediately if your pet is showning signs of …

1. Bleeding heavily from any part of body (apply pressure to stop the bleeding)
2. Choking (animal is distressed, salivates, paws at the mouth, coughs, extends head and neck)
3. Collapse / Loss of balance
4. Convulsions and fitting
5. In severe pain
6. Drowning
7. Heat stroke
8. Poisoning (chemical, snakebite, tick paralysis)
9. Electric Shock
10. Severe Breathing Distress (noisy breathing, gasping, blue tongue). If breathing stops apply the resuscitation technique described below.
11. Severe injury
12. Distended or uncomfortable abdomen (bloat)
13. Burns
14. Self-mutilation
15. Blood in urine/vomit
16. Straining (to defecate/urinate with no or little result, esp. male cats)
17. Birth difficulty (no pup appears after straining for 30 minutes)

How to stop bleeding

Firstly, REMAIN CALM!! Immobilise the dog/cat by holding firmly. Apply direct pressure to site of bleeding, use gauze or clean cloth.

Resuscitation (mouth-to-nose-resuscitation)

Dog breathing and heart rates:

•  The average breathing rate for dogs is 14-22 breaths per minute.
•  The average heartbeat (pulse rate) for dogs is100-150 beats per minute.

Cat breathing and heart rates:

• The average breathing rate for cats is 20-30 breaths per minute.
• The average heartbeat (pulse rate) for cats is 110-140 beats per minute.

1. Lay animal on the right side, head back and mouth closed
2. Check and remove obstructions in mouth or nose
3. Place a cloth over the animal’s nose
4. Place your open mouth over the animal’s nose and breathe into it 5-6 times.
5. Young puppies/kittens have small lungs and the breaths should be short and shallow.
6. Large dogs/cats have bigger lungs and the breaths should be longer and deeper.

If the animal’s breathing is restored, keep it under observation.
If breathing is not restored, apply mouth-to-nose resuscitation at the rate of one breath every 3 seconds, eg: 20 breaths per minute.

If the breathing can not be restored after 10 minutes, the gums and tongue of the animal are blue, the pupils are dilated and there is no blinking when the surface of the eye is touched, you can presume the animal has passed away

Resuscitation (Cardiac Compression) CPR

These patients are collapsed, unconscious, not breathing and do not have a pulse.
The CPR procedures are based on the human model; the establishment of an open airway, mouth-to-nose-resuscitation to mimic breathing and to compress the heart to establish the circulation of blood.

Use the A, B, C method
Airway Breathing Circulation Method

The force applied to the heart area in cardiac compression depends on the size of the animal.

•  For puppies/kittens use Fingertip compressions.
•  For larger animals use Heel-of-the-hand compressions.

Give 10 quick compressions.
If heartbeat and pulse are restored, keep animal under observation.
If heartbeat and pulse are not restored continue with cardiac compression.
10 compressions every six seconds.

If 2 people are present: First person gives 10 cardiac compressions followed by Second person gives 2 mouth-to-nose air breaths. Repeat at a rate of 10 per minute which is about 1 session every 6 seconds.

Important in Emergency Situations:

1. Do not leave patient alone
2. Identify and treat the cause if you can
3. Maintain body temperature
4. Do not stress the patient
5. Monitor vital signs
6. Do not move the animal unnecessarily
7. Call the vet on 0418 863 908