If your dog is injured or has an unexpected medical emergency, it is useful to know what to do. However, your first action must be to call your vet for advice and take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. In some cases it may be safer for you and the dog for the vet to come to where the dog is than to risk further injury by transporting them.

Remember to always act cautiously. If your pet has been injured, he/she will be frightened and could bite the people they know and love. Always call your vet for advice before approaching an injured dog.

• If advised by your vet small dogs can be picked up and transported to the vets by wrapping in a large, thick towel.
• If advised by your vet large, unconscious dogs can be carried in a ‘stretcher’ made of a large, thick blanket.
• Keep your dog warm, particularly if unconscious, wet, or in shock from bleeding or trauma.

Specific medical conditions

Car accidents or serious falls

• Do not put yourself in danger on a busy road or on a steep drop to rescue a dog, contact the police and your vet immediately.
• If you do move the dog under veterinary advice be gentle and be careful not to twist the body, use a large thick towel for small dogs and a blanket as a stretcher for larger dogs. Remember your safety at all times as dogs in pain can bite.
• Place the dog in the car and drive immediately to the vets.
• Keep your dog warm by covering with another blanket until you reach the vet.

To stop bleeding

• As always your safety comes first and a dog in pain may bite so contact your vet for advice.
• If the dog is safe to approach then hold a thick bandage or towel to the wound to stem the blood flow. Do not use disinfectant.
• Contact your vet as quickly as possible for treatment.

Treating poisoning

• Signs of poisoning will vary according to the toxin ingested but include drooling, severe vomiting, diarrhoea, staggering, convulsions (seizures), and abnormal eye movements.
• Contact your vet and, if you know, tell them what substance your dog has ingested or anything you can think of they have been in contact with. Take the product with you to the vets if possible.
• Do not induce vomiting.
• If you suspect your dog has the toxin on their coat then try and prevent them licking any off (e.g. wrap them in a towel) and take them straight to the vet who can try and remove the toxin.

Scalds and burns

• Consult your vet as quickly as possible even if the dog looks normal initially.
• Never cover the burnt area or apply any creams/ointments.

Insect bites and stings

• Insect stings can be painful and occasionally leave in an embedded sting. Immediately call your vet for advice and tell the vet if you see a sting left behind.
• If possible try and see and report to your vet if it was a bee or wasp sting.
• A sting in the mouth or throat will swell rapidly and can result in asphyxiation, so rush your dog to the vet (call to tell them you are on your way).

Problems with choking

• If your dog is choking contact your vet immediately. They may advise you to try and open your dog’s mouth and see if an object is visible but this can risk you being bitten so be very careful.
• Take your dog immediately to the vets.

Electrocution

• Before you touch an electrocuted dog, switch off the power and remove the plug from the socket, or you will also receive an electric shock.
• If your dog has chewed through an electrical wire, the mouth and tongue may be burned. Electrical burns can result in shock and cardiac arrest, so contact your vet urgently.

Seizures/fits

• If your dog is having a fit this can be very frightening to watch. Call your vet for advice immediately and remove objects from around the dog that they could knock into and hurt themselves.
• Turn off televisions and bright lights.
• Do not try and touch your dog or open their mouth.
• After a fit dogs can show uncharacteristic aggression so be careful.
• Your vet may advise bringing the dog into the practice or a home visit. Remember your pet may bite accidentally during a fit or not be themselves afterwards and take great care transporting them.

Heatstroke

• Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible, as heatstroke can be fatal - drive straight to the nearest vet.
• Remove your dog from the heat into cool or shady area, or into air conditioning.
• Spray or sponge the dog's body with cool (but not cold) water, being sure the water contacts the skin and doesn’t simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs.
• Using a fan is another good way to reduce the temperature.
• Do not plunge your dog into cold water, or an ice bath, as this actually prevents the animal’s core (central) temperature going down.
• Very gently massage the legs and body until you reach the vet to improve the circulation to the outside, but as animals with heatstroke can bruise easily be cautious.
• If the temperature returns to 39.4°C stop the cooling process to ensure you don’t chill your dog as this can lead to hypothermia. However, even if the temperature returns to normal, take your dog to the vets as delayed problems can occur.
• Gently dry your dog with a towel. If your pet is conscious, give him or her small amounts of water.