If you're a pet owner, there's no way to know when an emergency situation might occur. Your goal is to always be prepared for these emergencies so that you can act quickly and effectively. In this article we're going to cover what to do if your pet has stopped breathing, has a weak pulse but is breathing, or has a weak pulse and isn't breathing. We'll also discuss what signs mean it's time for immediate veterinary care.
Signs you should seek immediate care
If your pet is unconscious and unresponsive, seek immediate veterinary care. If the animal has a weak pulse or is bleeding heavily, seek immediate veterinary care.
If your pet has been poisoned, seek immediate veterinary care if possible; otherwise, call poison control.
If your pet has been burned, call 911 immediately and get him to an emergency vet as soon as possible; some burns require specialized treatment that may not be available at all hospitals.
If you suspect that your animal may have had a seizure or stroke due to lack of oxygen in his brain due to choking on something like food or toys stuck in his throat/mouth area which caused him not be able to breathe properly anymore causing him becoming dizzy/faint before passing out from lack of oxygen reaching his brain tissues yet still breathing regularly but deeply enough so as not to worry about suffocating himself even though he wouldn't feel any pain because there wasn't enough blood flow going through his body since most people only feel faintness when they're standing up straight instead of sitting down because gravity pulls down harder against our bodies when we stand up straight making us feel heavier than usual which causes us feeling tired after walking around for long periods time without resting ourselves somewhere comfortable such as sitting down with our back against something soft like pillows etcetera...
What to do if the animal has stopped breathing
If the animal has stopped breathing, you can begin CPR.
- Call 911 and get help on the way. If you have time, try to find out if there's a local emergency veterinarian nearby who can assist in your pet's care while waiting for an ambulance or other professionals to arrive.
- Check that there aren't any foreign objects in the mouth or throat that could be blocking airway passages (this is especially important if there is bleeding). If necessary, clear these obstructions with your fingers or gauze pads soaked in water or saline solution (use only sterile items).
- Check for a heartbeat by feeling along their chest; if there isn't one yet but they are still warm and pinkish-red colored around their nose/mouth area then continue with chest compressions until help arrives or until you feel them start breathing again on their own again
What to do if the animal has a weak pulse, but is breathing
If you have a pet, it's important to know how to check its pulse. A weak pulse can be an indication that something is wrong with your animal, so if you're not sure what to do, call your veterinarian right away.
If there's a weak pulse and your pet is breathing (even if it's very shallow), call the vet immediately and explain the situation. If they don't advise otherwise, continue monitoring while waiting for help from professionals who will be able to give further instructions over the phone or at their office or hospital location (if necessary). You should never attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on any animal without proper training; doing so could make things worse instead of better!
What to do if the animal has a weak pulse and isn't breathing
If you find an animal that is not breathing or appears to have a weak pulse, perform CPR.
When you're performing CPR on an animal, make sure his chest is supported by something firm (like a table) so that it doesn't sink as you press down on it. You can also place your hands under the dog's rib cage and push up and down on his sternum about 100 times per minute for about two minutes at first; then check for signs of life again before continuing with more chest compressions if necessary. If the dog is still not breathing or responsive after two minutes of continuous chest compressions and rescue breaths, call 911 immediately and repeat this process until help arrives or until he regains consciousness
Takeaway:
- If you suspect that your dog is having a heart attack, call your vet immediately.
- If you suspect that your cat is having a heart attack, call your vet immediately.
- If you think your pet is having a stroke, call your vet immediately.
- Signs that you need to bring your pet to the vet right away include: trembling; pale gums; lethargy or lack of energy (the animal may appear disoriented); vomiting
Conclusion
If you suspect that your pet is having a medical emergency, it's important to seek immediate care. Even if you're not sure what's going on with your animal, it's better to err on the side of caution and take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.