Bite Injuries
-Bathe wound with a saline solution.
-Do not allow your pet to lick excessively, keep wound clean and dry.
-Seek attention from a vet if the bite appears infected or pet shows signs of discomfort.

Bloated Abdomen (dogs only)
This is a condition seen in dogs where the stomach suddenly fills with gas. The abdomen will appear bloated and the dog shows signs of acute distress. This is a major emergency.

-Do not delay.
-Immediately ring your vet so that they can be prepared and be prepared to go to the surgery straight away.

Broken Bones/Dislocations
-Sudden acute lameness.
-Limb position may appear abnormal.
-Swelling may or may not be present.
-Pet will show distress on movement and unwillingness to use limb.
-It is important to keep your pet still, restrain as necessary to limit further damage.
-Contact your vet and take at once to the surgery.

Burns And Scalds
-Immediately saturate the affected area with cold water for at least 5 minutes.
-Do not apply any ointments/creams/butter.
-Do not clip hair.
-Do not burst any blisters.
-Contact your vet and take immediately to surgery.

Choking
- (It will take 2 people to deal with this)
Unknown Foreign Object
Person No 1:
-Check airway by using one hand; hold the animal's mouth open.
-Using the other hand, pull the tongue out as far as possible. -Look in mouth to see if you can see an obstruction.

Person No 2:
-Remove the object carefully, preferably using pliers or a similar instrument.
- You may be bitten if you put your hand in.

Ball stuck at back of throat
-Do not try and remove using pliers as this may push the ball further down your pet's throat.
-Instead place your fingers at the base of the jaw, apply pressure inwards and upwards to expel the ball.
-If the above should not be successful after a few minutes, telephone and take your pet to the veterinary surgery.

Contaminated Coat
-Pet appears to have oil/tar or unknown substance on its coat or feet. Due to the nature and sensitivity of cats and dogs this can be extremely harmful and toxic if ingested.
-Prevent your pet from licking the area.
-Wash area with water containing mild detergent, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
-Vegetable oil or butter can be helpful to remove tar. -Swarfega can be helpful to remove oil.
-Contact your vet for advice if there is heavy contamination or if you are worried.

Cuts And Wounds
Minor cuts and grazes
-Bathe wound with a saline solution.
-Do not allow pet to lick excessively. Keep wound clean and dry.

Deep cuts/bleeding
-Do not interfere with wound.
-Apply dressing/bandage.
-If excessive bleeding or spurting of blood apply a heavy dressing and apply pressure.
-Immediate attention is required, telephone vet and take at one to the surgery.

Drowning
-Do not endanger yourself.
-If possible remove pet form water.
-Suspend by hindquarters to allow water to drain from the lungs.
-A swinging motion can be used to encourage breathing.
-If your pet does not start to breath naturally resuscitation should be implements.
-Dry pet and wrap in blanket to keep warm.

Electric Shock
Low voltage (eg. in the home)
-Do not touch your pet until you have turned off the electrical source.
-If your pet in unconscious check for signs of breathing.
-If no signs of breathing implement resuscitation. Apply first aid to any areas of bleeding or burns.
-Contact vet and take at once to surgery.

High Voltage Shocks (eg. power lines etc)
-Do not approach or try to rescue your pet if it is still within 18 metres (20 yards) of the power sourse.
-Call 999 and ask for the Police.
-Keep bystanders away.
-When you ate told it is safe to do so, approach your pet and implement resuscitation.
-Apply first aid to any areas of bleeding or burns.
-Contact vet and take at once to surgery.

Resuscitation
-Breathing - Check if the animal is breathing by LOOKING and LISTENING.
-Check Airway - Pull the tongue forward and, if necessary, remove any mud, debris or other obstruction.
-If the animal does not start breathing naturally.
- Check the heartbeat, lay the dog on its side and apply intermittent pressure to the chest.

Should the above be unsuccessful:
-Pull the pet's head forward and extend neck to straighten it.
-Close the mouth.
-Blow vigorously and hard up the nose to inflate the chest until the pet begins to gasp.

Eye Injuries
Eye is bulging or has come out of its socket:
-Do not try to replace or apply pressure to the eye.
-Gently apply a cold wet compress to protect the eye and keep it moist.
-Contact vet and take at once to surgery.

Foreign object in eye:
-Do not touch if the object is protruding from the eye.
-Do not try to remove.
-Stop dog from rubbing the eye.
-Contact vet and take at once to surgery. Irritants in eye and foreign object on the surface of eye:
-Prevent pet from rubbing its eye.
-Bathe copiously with lukewarm water as soon as possible.
-Do not attempt to rub the surface of the eye.
-Note carefully the nature of the irritant if known.
-Contact vet and take at once to surgery. Take a sample or the container of the irritant if possible.

First Aid Kit
-Adhesive plaster.
-Open weave bandages (5cm & 7.5cm wide).
-Cotton wool and lint.
-Scissors (half curved, blunt ended) and tweezers.
-Table salt for saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt to a pint of boiling water leave to cool before use).
-Sock.

Fits/Fainting Fits/Convulsions
-The pet may show signs of disorientation or may be collapsed with thrashing limbs/showing jerky movements.
-Do not panic.
-Do not touch your pet.
-Ensure that it cannot injure itself by closing doors and removing objects that may cause it harm.
-Minimise noise and light; external factors such as a TV or bright light can affect your pet's state.
-Do not attempt to take to surgery whilst pet is fitting as this may cause harm to your pet and/or yourself.
-Ring vet for advice.

Fainting
-Pet suddenly collapses and appears to lose consciousness but shows no previous signs of distress. Pets with short noses ie: Pugs or Pekinese dogs can be more prone to this.
-Ensure airway is clear and pet is breathing.
-Ring vet for advice.

Heat Stroke
-This typically occurs when a pet is in a confined space, exposed to excessive sunlight or excessive exercise during hot weather.
-Your pet will show signs of distress and heavy panting.
-Firstly you must make sure that your pets airway is not blocked to eliminate the possibility that your pet may be choking rather than suffering from heat stroke.
-Move pet to a cool place.
-It is important to reduce body temperature quickly by dousing in cold water suing a hose or bucket for at least 5 minutes.
-Contact your vet for advice even if pet appears to return to normal.

Poisoning
-If you think that your pet has eaten something that may be poisonous, make it vomit as soon as possible.
-A crystal of washing soda or strong salt solution can be used to induce vomiting.
-If you know or suspect the cause note carefully the nature of the substance and amount eaten.
-Contact vet and take at once to the surgery.
-Take a sample or the container of the irritant if possible.

Road Traffic Accident
-Do not panic.
-Let your pet see you approach.
-Avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
-Speak gently to pet.
-Ensure there is no further damage/danger to yourself or pet.
-Give first aid to any external injuries.
-Minimise movement of pet.
-Keep pet warm.
-Contact vet and transport pet to surgery or telephone an animal ambulance for assistance.

Shock
-Pet returns home and appears to be listless and possible collapsed. If there are no other external signs:
-Check pets gums, they should be a pink colour and when gently pressed turn white at the point of touch and then return to pink colour.
-If pet is suffering from shock the gums will appear very pale or white.
-It is important to keep pet warm and avoid any sudden movement.
-Ring vet and take immediately to surgery.

Snake Bites
-The only poisonous snake native to Britain is the adder. These can be quite common on heath land in the summer months. Usually, fang marks can be seen to indicate that your pet has been bitten. Swelling occurs very rapidly around the area of the bite.
-Carry your pet, or walk slowly to your nearest transport.
-Ring vet and take to surgery immediately.

Stings
-Pull out sting if possible.
-Bathe area with saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt to a pint of boiling water leave to cool before use).
-Bicarbonate of soda can be applied to bee stings or vinegar to wasp stings to reduce the effects of the sting.
-Ring vet for advice.

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