🚑 First aid basics
What to do first - and when to skip straight to the emergency vet.
Quick answer: For any suspected poisoning, choking, breathing trouble, bloat, or major injury, call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately - don't wait to 'see how it goes'.
Knowing the difference between 'watch at home' and 'go now' saves lives.
Call an emergency vet immediately for: trouble breathing, a swollen hard belly (possible bloat), suspected poisoning, seizures, collapse, heavy bleeding, or a hit-by-car. For poisoning, our poison-control page lists the hotlines to call.
Keep a basic kit: gauze, self-adhesive bandage, tweezers, a digital thermometer, saline, and your vet's and nearest emergency clinic's numbers. When in doubt, phone the clinic - they can triage over the call.
Learn more
- Every Pet First AidStart course →
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