Emergency Resource Guide

Pet Emergency Triage Bible

Your comprehensive guide to identifying pet emergencies and providing life-saving first aid. This guide is reviewed by board-certified veterinarians and updated for Alabama pet owners.

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Know The Signs

Emergency Triage Levels

Understanding the severity of your pet's condition helps you make faster, better decisions. Use this triage system to assess your pet's emergency level.

Critical - Seek Immediate Care

Life-Threatening

Pet may die without immediate treatment. Go to nearest emergency vet NOW.

  • ! Not breathing or no pulse
  • ! Severe bleeding that won't stop
  • ! Collapse or unconsciousness
  • ! Seizures lasting more than 2 minutes
  • ! Suspected poisoning
  • ! Heatstroke with temperature over 104°F
  • ! Unable to give birth (dystocia)
  • ! Gums white or blue
Urgent - Call Vet Within 1 Hour

Serious Condition

Pet needs veterinary attention soon but is stable enough for transport.

  • 1 Difficulty breathing (mild)
  • 1 Vomiting blood
  • 1 Severe abdominal pain
  • 1 Unable to urinate
  • 1 Broken bones or deep wounds
  • 1 Eye injury or proptosis
  • 1 Sudden weakness or paralysis
  • 1 Blood in urine or stool
Routine - Schedule Vet Visit

Non-Emergency

Pet can wait for regular veterinary appointment without risk.

  • 2 Mild limping
  • 2 Minor scratches or cuts
  • 2 Mild diarrhea (no blood)
  • 2 Decreased appetite
  • 2 Minor eye discharge
  • 2 Slight lethargy
  • 2 Mild ear infection signs
  • 2 Small amounts of hair loss
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, DACVIM (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine)
Common Emergencies

What To Do In Each Emergency

Quick-reference guides for the most common pet emergencies in Alabama.

🔥

Heatstroke

Critical Emergency

Why It's Dangerous:

Alabama summers regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. Dogs can't pant efficiently in humid weather, making them prone to heatstroke which can kill within 15 minutes.

Signs to Watch:

  • Excessive panting and drooling
  • Bright red tongue and gums
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Staggering or collapse
  • Body temperature above 104°F

Immediate Actions:

  • Move pet to shaded/cool area immediately
  • Apply cool (NOT cold) water to neck, paws, belly
  • Use fan to increase air circulation
  • Offer small amounts of cool water
  • Transport to emergency vet immediately
🩸

Severe Bleeding

Critical Emergency

Why It's Dangerous:

Blood loss can quickly become life-threatening. External bleeding is visible, but internal bleeding (from trauma) can be hidden but more dangerous.

Signs to Watch:

  • Blood spurting or flowing heavily
  • Blood not clotting after 5 minutes
  • Pale gums (indicates internal blood loss)
  • Rapid breathing and weakness
  • Large visible wounds

Immediate Actions:

  • Apply firm, direct pressure with clean cloth
  • Do NOT remove cloth if blood soaks through - add more
  • Elevate the bleeding area if possible
  • Wrap bandage firmly but not too tight
  • Transport to emergency vet immediately
💊

Poisoning

Critical Emergency

Common Alabama Toxins:

  • Xylitol (sugar-free products, gum)
  • Chocolate (baking chocolate most dangerous)
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions and garlic
  • Rodent poison (rat/mouse bait)
  • Lilies (extremely toxic to cats)
  • Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
  • Alabama venomous snakes

Immediate Actions:

  • Call Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
  • Identify the substance and amount consumed
  • Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed
  • Bring packaging/plant sample to vet
  • Time is critical - don't wait for symptoms
😵

Choking / Airway Obstruction

Critical Emergency

Signs to Watch:

  • Pawing at mouth
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Blue gums or tongue
  • Gagging or retching without producing anything
  • Unconsciousness

For Dogs - Heimlich Maneuver:

  • Stand behind dog, wrap arms around belly
  • Make a fist just below rib cage
  • Push up and forward firmly 5 times
  • Check mouth for visible object
  • Repeat until object removed or dog breathes

For Cats:

  • Hold cat with head down
  • Give 5 firm back blows between shoulder blades
  • If no success, use abdominal thrusts
🐍

Snake Bites

Critical Emergency

Alabama Venomous Snakes:

  • Pigmy Rattlesnake (most common)
  • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
  • Copperhead (less severe venom)
  • Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth)
  • Coral Snake

Signs of Venomous Bite:

  • Puncture wounds (may be hard to see)
  • Rapid swelling
  • Severe pain
  • Weakness, trembling
  • Difficulty breathing

Immediate Actions:

  • Keep pet as calm and still as possible
  • Remove collar if bite is on neck
  • Keep bite area below heart level
  • Do NOT cut, suck, or ice the wound
  • Get to emergency vet within 30 minutes if possible
💔

Cardiac Arrest / CPR

Critical Emergency

Check for Signs:

  • No breathing or gasping
  • No pulse (check inner thigh)
  • Pupils dilated and unresponsive
  • Gums blue, gray, or white
  • Pet is unconscious and unresponsive

CPR Steps:

  1. Check responsiveness - tap and call name
  2. Call for help - have someone call emergency vet
  3. Check airway - tilt head back, clear mouth
  4. Give rescue breaths - close mouth, breathe into nose until chest rises (1 breath every 3-5 seconds)
  5. Begin chest compressions - 100-120 per minute, 1/3 to 1/2 chest depth
  6. 30 compressions : 2 breaths ratio
  7. Check for pulse every 2 minutes
First Aid Basics

Essential First Aid Procedures

Learn these critical skills - they could save your pet's life.

1 Pet CPR

  • Check if pet is responsive - tap and call name loudly
  • Check for breathing - watch chest, feel for breath from nose
  • Check for pulse - feel the inner thigh for femoral pulse
  • If no breathing/pulse, lay pet on right side on flat surface
  • For dogs: Place hands over the widest part of chest
  • For cats: Wrap hand around chest, squeeze sides
  • Compress 1/3 to 1/2 chest depth at 100-120 compressions per minute
  • Give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions
  • Continue until pet breathes on its own or you reach emergency care

2 Heimlich Maneuver

  • First try to remove object with fingers if visible (careful not to push deeper)
  • For small dogs/cats: Hold upside down by hips and gently shake
  • For medium/large dogs: Stand behind, wrap arms around belly just below rib cage
  • Make a fist with one hand, cover with other hand
  • Give 5 quick thrusts upward and forward
  • Check mouth for dislodged object
  • Repeat until object is expelled
  • If pet becomes unconscious, begin CPR

3 Stop Bleeding

  • Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or gauze
  • Press firmly and maintain pressure for 5+ minutes
  • Do NOT peek - lifting cloth disrupts clot formation
  • If blood soaks through, add more layers on top
  • For limbs, elevate above heart level while maintaining pressure
  • For severe bleeding on leg, apply tourniquet 2-3 inches above wound (seek immediate vet care)
  • Once bleeding slows, wrap with bandage (not too tight)

4 Treat Burns

  • Remove pet from heat source immediately
  • Do NOT apply ice, butter, or ointments
  • Run cool (not cold) water over burn for 10-20 minutes
  • Cover with clean, non-stick bandage
  • Prevent pet from licking the burned area
  • For chemical burns, flush with large amounts of water
  • For electrical burns, check breathing and pulse - may need CPR
  • Seek veterinary care for all burns - they can become infected easily
These procedures are based on American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines
Alabama Resources

Emergency Contacts & Resources

Save these numbers now - you'll need them in an emergency.

Pet Poison Helpline

24/7 animal poison control center

855-764-7661

($75 per consultation may apply)

ASPCA Animal Poison Control

Emergency toxin information

888-426-4435

($65 consultation fee may apply)

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