Pet First Aid Basics Every PA Pet Owner Should Know

Every pet owner in Pennsylvania should know basic first aid for their animals. Emergencies can happen anytime, a dog eats something they shouldn't, a cat gets a cut, or a pet overheats on a summer day. Knowing what to do in those first critical minutes can make the difference between a scare and a tragedy.

As a professional pet sitter in Elizabethtown PA, I keep first aid knowledge current and always know where the nearest emergency vet is. Here are the basics every pet owner should know.

Build a Pet First Aid Kit

Keep a dedicated first aid kit for your pets. Stock it with:

• Gauze pads and rolls for wrapping wounds
• Medical tape (not regular tape)
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%), only for inducing vomiting under vet direction
• Digital thermometer (normal dog temp is 101-102.5°F; cats are 100.5-102.5°F)
• Tweezers for tick removal
• Saline solution for flushing eyes or wounds
• Styptic powder for nail bleeds
• Emergency vet phone number and address
• Your vet's phone number
• Pet poison hotline: (888) 426-4435 (ASPCA)

Common Pet Emergencies and What to Do

Choking

If your pet is pawing at their mouth, gagging, or having trouble breathing, they may be choking. For dogs, open their mouth and look for a visible obstruction. If you can see it and safely reach it, carefully remove it with your fingers or pliers. Do not blindly sweep the throat, you could push the object deeper.

If you can't remove the obstruction, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver: for large dogs, stand behind them and apply firm upward pressure just below the rib cage. For small dogs and cats, hold them with their spine against your chest and push inward and upward on the abdomen.

Poisoning

Common household poisons for pets include chocolate, xylitol (sugar-free gum), grapes and raisins, onions, certain houseplants, antifreeze, and rodent poison. If your pet takes regular medications, keep those secured too, overdoses are a common poisoning cause. If you suspect poisoning:

• Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by a vet or poison control
• Call the ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
• Note what your pet ate, how much, and when
• Bring the packaging or a sample to the vet

Heat Stroke

Central PA summers can be brutal for pets, especially on outdoor trails without shade. Signs of heat stroke include excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, wobbling, and collapse. If you suspect heat stroke:

• Move your pet to a cool, shaded area immediately
• Apply cool (not cold) water to their body, especially the belly, paws, and ears
• Offer small amounts of cool water to drink
• Get to a vet immediately, heat stroke can cause organ damage even after the pet seems better

Never leave a pet in a parked car, even with windows cracked. On an 85°F day, the inside of a car can reach 120°F in minutes.

Bleeding and Wounds

For minor cuts, clean the wound with saline solution and apply gentle pressure with gauze. For deeper wounds or heavy bleeding, apply firm pressure and get to a vet immediately. A clean cloth or towel works if you don't have gauze.

Don't use hydrogen peroxide on open wounds, it damages healthy tissue. Saline solution is safer for wound cleaning.

Seizures

If your pet has a seizure, do not try to restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Clear the area of objects they could hurt themselves on, note the time and duration, and keep the environment calm and quiet. Contact your vet or emergency clinic immediately after the seizure ends.

Know Your Emergency Vets

In Lancaster County, know the location of your nearest emergency veterinary clinic before an emergency happens. Program the number into your phone. After-hours emergencies require different clinics than your regular vet, and you don't want to be searching for options when every minute counts.

When to Call the Emergency Vet

Go to the emergency vet immediately if your pet:

• Is having trouble breathing
• Has been hit by a car
• Is bleeding heavily
• Has ingested poison or a foreign object
• Is unconscious or unresponsive
• Has a bloated or hard abdomen (especially large-breed dogs)
• Is having repeated seizures
• Cannot urinate (especially male cats; this is life-threatening)

Keep Your Pet Sitter Informed

If you use a pet sitting service, make sure your sitter has all emergency information, knows your pet's medical history, and is authorized to seek veterinary care on your behalf. This is something we always cover during our free consultation visits.

Want a pet sitter who's prepared for anything? Big Mike's Pet Sitting keeps first aid knowledge current and always has your emergency info on file. We serve Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Hershey, Mount Joy, and all of Lancaster County. Contact us for a free consultation.