Emergency Pet Care Resources

Check if your pet is truly choking - look for pawing at mouth, difficulty breathing, blue gums

For small pets: Hold upside down by hips and give 5 firm back blows between shoulder blades

For large pets: Perform Heimlich maneuver - place fist behind ribs and thrust upward 5 times

Check mouth and remove any visible obstruction with fingers or tweezers

If unsuccessful after 3 attempts, rush to emergency vet immediately while continuing attempts

Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or gauze for 3-5 minutes without lifting to check

If blood soaks through, add more layers on top - do not remove original cloth

Elevate the injured area above heart level if possible

Apply pressure bandage once bleeding slows - wrap firmly but not too tight

Transport to emergency vet immediately while maintaining pressure

Move pet to cool, shaded area immediately and remove from heat source

Apply cool (not ice cold) water to belly, paws, and armpits

Offer small amounts of cool water to drink if pet is conscious and alert

Place wet towels on pet and use fan to increase cooling effect

Monitor temperature every 5 minutes - stop cooling when it reaches 103°F (39.4°C)

Identify the substance if possible - save packaging or take photo

Call Poison Control Hotline (1-888-POISON-1) or emergency vet immediately

Remove pet from source of poison and prevent further exposure

If substance is on fur or skin, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water for 10 minutes

Bring substance container or sample to vet for identification

Stay calm and do not try to restrain your pet or put anything in their mouth

Clear area of furniture and objects that could cause injury

Time the seizure - note start time and duration

Dim lights and reduce noise to minimize stimulation

After seizure ends, keep pet calm and comfortable in quiet area

Keep pet as still as possible - restrict all movement

Do not attempt to set or straighten the bone yourself

If leg fracture, create makeshift splint using rolled newspaper or cardboard

Use flat board or sturdy surface as stretcher for transport

Transport to emergency vet immediately with minimal movement

Identify the substance if possible - common dog poisons include chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, onions/garlic, human medications (NSAIDs, acetaminophen), antifreeze, rodenticides, and certain plants

Call Pet Poison Hotline (855-764-7661) or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately - have dog's weight, substance name, amount consumed, and time of ingestion ready

For chocolate ingestion: Calculate toxicity level - dark chocolate and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Theobromine levels: 1 oz of milk chocolate = 50mg, 1 oz dark chocolate = 150mg, 1 oz baking chocolate = 450mg. Toxic dose starts at 20mg/kg body weight

For xylitol (sugar-free gum, candy, peanut butter): THIS IS LIFE-THREATENING. Even small amounts cause severe hypoglycemia within 30 minutes and liver failure within 12-24 hours. Rush to emergency vet immediately

If instructed to induce vomiting: Use 3% hydrogen peroxide ONLY (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds body weight, maximum 3 tablespoons). Give with food if possible. Vomiting should occur within 15 minutes

For skin/fur contamination: Immediately rinse with lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Use mild dish soap for oil-based toxins. Prevent dog from licking contaminated fur

Transport to emergency vet immediately - bring substance container, vomit sample (if possible), and note exact time of ingestion. Call ahead so clinic can prepare treatment

Identify substance - cats have UNIQUE toxicities: acetaminophen (Tylenol) is LETHAL even in tiny doses, lilies cause fatal kidney failure, essential oils are highly toxic, human topical pain medications (bengay, aspercreme) are deadly

Call Pet Poison Hotline (855-764-7661) immediately - have cat's weight (average cat = 8-12 lbs), substance details, and time of exposure

For lily exposure (ALL parts toxic): This is EXTREME EMERGENCY. Even small amounts of pollen cause fatal kidney failure. Flush mouth with water immediately. Rush to emergency vet - treatment must begin within 6 hours for survival chance

For acetaminophen/Tylenol: IMMEDIATELY LIFE-THREATENING. One regular strength tablet can kill an average cat. Causes methemoglobinemia (inability to carry oxygen). Get to emergency vet within 30 minutes

For essential oil exposure (diffusers, topicals): Cats cannot metabolize phenols and terpenes. Remove cat from exposure area immediately. Wipe oil from fur/paws with cloth dampened with mild dish soap. Monitor for breathing difficulty

For permethrin poisoning (dog flea products applied to cats): THIS IS EXTREME EMERGENCY. Remove product immediately, bathe cat with mild dish soap multiple times, rush to vet. Permethrin causes severe neurological toxicity in cats

For topical poisoning: Prevent grooming (use cone/collar if available), gently wipe substance off fur with damp cloth, seek immediate veterinary care. Cats' grooming behavior increases toxin ingestion

Identify species and substance - exotic pets have EXTREME sensitivities: Birds die from Teflon fumes, aerosol sprays, avocado, chocolate. Rabbits are sensitive to many houseplants. Reptiles react to cleaning chemicals and pine/cedar substrates

For BIRDS - Teflon/PTFE poisoning (non-stick cookware fumes): IMMEDIATELY move bird to fresh air outside or in car with windows down. This is rapidly fatal (minutes to hours). Call emergency exotic vet while moving bird

For BIRDS - Heavy metal poisoning (zinc from cages, lead from toys/weights): Symptoms include weakness, vomiting, seizures, inability to perch. Chelation therapy needed urgently. Bring toy/cage sample to vet for metal testing

For BIRDS - Avocado toxicity: ALL parts are toxic (flesh, pit, skin, leaves). Causes heart failure. If ingestion witnessed, seek immediate care - prognosis is poor once symptoms appear

For RABBITS - Plant toxicity: Many common houseplants are deadly (lily, philodendron, ivy, rhubarb leaves). GI stasis from toxins is life-threatening. Encourage water intake, keep rabbit warm, seek immediate vet care

For REPTILES - Substrate ingestion: Sand, walnut shell, or loose substrates can cause impaction. Remove substrate immediately, raise temperatures slightly, provide shallow water bath. Vet visit needed for impaction confirmation

For SMALL MAMMALS (hamsters, guinea pigs, rats): Cedar/pine shavings are toxic (phenols damage liver/lungs). Remove animal from bedding immediately, replace with paper-based bedding, monitor breathing. Chronic exposure causes permanent damage

Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) - they have exotic animal specialists. Pet Poison Hotline (855-764-7661) also covers exotic species. Have species, weight, and substance details ready