Chapter 9: Basic home first aid and when to seek emergency care

Chapter 9: Basic home first aid and when to seek emergency care

Keep a simple pet first aid kit at home with gauze, mild antiseptic, blunt scissors and a thermometer, and store your nearest clinic's contact number where all family members can find it. For minor cuts, rinse gently with clean water and prevent licking. Call a vet immediately for breathing difficulty, seizure, collapse, suspected poisoning, bloated abdomen or heavy bleeding, and do not give human medicines without veterinary advice. Knowing the route to an after-hours clinic in advance saves precious time.