SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists &
Emergency Center in Fairfax, Virginia,
offers a free booklet on Pet Emergency
Care. The booklet is designed to help you
recognize and handle emergency
situations that arise
with your dog or cat until you
can get them to a veterinary
clinic for an exam and further
treatment. It advises pet owners
about signs and symptoms
to look for and actions to
take. Topics covered in the
booklet include:
Vomiting – possible causes,
including foreign objects or
new foods, and how to treat
the problem at home unless it persists.
Vital Signs – How to take a heart or pulse
rate, test breathing rates, and know if
your pet’s temperature is normal.
Artificial
Respiration – When and how to
perform CPR on your pet until you reach
a veterinary hospital.
Burns – First aid for chemical,
electrical, or thermal (heat)
burns, and how to administer
it.
Cardiac Emergencies – Signs to
look for and how to handle
your pet on the way to the
vet.
Cold Emergencies – How to warm
your pet safely and recognize
frostbite.
Diarrhea – How to tell whether
episodes are stress- or dietinduced
or something more serious.
Ear Emergencies – possible causes of scratching and other signs of irritation and how
to examine your pet’s ears.
Eye Emergencies – why immediate diagnosis
and treatment is critical and how to flush
the eye before seeking professional care.
Fractures – Signs of fractures and how to check
limbs for open wounds or bleeding.
Heat Emergencies & Dehydration – How to recognize
symptoms and cool off your pet,
and when to seek medical care.
Insect Bites & Tick Removal – How to thoroughly
check your pet, recognize signs
of allergic reactions to insect venom, and
remove ticks.
Lacerations – How to approach injured
animals and temporarily treat lacerations
before seeking immediate veterinary
care.
Neurologic Emergencies – Signs to look for
and instructions on carrying your pet to
the car as you seek immediate care.
Poisonings Advice on calling your vet or
veterinary Poison Control and the information
you will need when you make
the call.
Respiratory Emergencies Life-threatening
signs to look for and immediate steps
to take.
Seizures – How to care for your pet during
an episode and before seeking emergency
care.
Urinary Emergencies – Detecting signs of
a problem and how to take immediate
action.
The best way to manage an emergency
is to be prepared ahead of time—know
where to take your pet and what numbers
to call when you have questions.
For a free copy of Pet Emergency Care
email our client relations manager;
Madeleine.Reberkenny@southpaws.com
