While Animal Emergency Center of Las Vegas and Henderson’s focus is to provide your pet with quality critical care and monitoring, you can administer simple first aid for major medical events before arriving for emergency services. Remember, providing first aid is not a substitute for professional veterinary care.

Bleeding
Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.

Heatstroke
Symptoms include rapid or difficult breathing, vomiting, high body temperature, and collapse. Seek immediate veterinary care.​

CPR
​Check to see if animal is choking on a foreign object. If an object is removed from the throat and the animal still is not breathing, place the animal with its right side down. Close the animal’s mouth and exhale into the nose, not mouth, until chest expands. Cover the nose with a handkerchief or a thin cloth if preferred. Exhale 12 to 15 times per minute. At the same time, apply heart massage with your other hand. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest behind the elbow of the front leg. Place your hand over the heart and compress the chest 1 to 2 inches for large animals and 1 inch for small animals. Apply heart massage 70-90 times per minute.

Seizures
Symptoms include excessive salivation, loss of control of urine or stool, violent muscle twitching, and loss of consciousness. Move the pet away from any objects that could be harmful. Use a blanket for padding and protection. Do not put yourself at risk by restraining the animal during the seizure. Time the seizure; it usually lasts only two to three minutes. Afterward, keep the animal calm, quiet, and cool.​

Other Emergencies

  • Sudden weakness or severe lethargy
  • Sudden difficulty or inability to walk
  • Ingestion of a toxin, plant, or medication (either human medications or pet medications) at higher than recommended doses
  • Straining to urinate and/or producing little or no urine
  • Severe trauma, such as a from a fall or car accident
  • Dystocia – difficulty during labor
  • GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus) – also known as bloat