Common Dog Emergencies and First Aid Tips

See below common emergencies, their causes, symptoms and first aid. The first step is always to stay calm and give your dog the needed help as soon as possible.

The information offered below is meant solely for informational purposes and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical guidance pertaining to dogs. To obtain a precise diagnosis and treatment for your dog’s emergency, we strongly recommend reaching out to your veterinarian.

Additional content in our Members Area:

  • Tips for Disaster Preparation and a downloadable Checklist - to be fully prepared for any unforeseen event and ensure your dog’s safety.

  • Downloadable Food Guide - What foods can my dog eat? Navigate the world of canine cuisine with ease! This sheet compiles a list of foods dogs can and cannot eat. Easily searchable and printable, it's your go-to guide for ensuring your furry friend enjoys safe and delicious treats.

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Important Contacts

Here are some important contacts you always should have handy in case of an emergency with your pup.

Personal Contacts

  • Your Veterinarian (contact info & business hours)

  • Your nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic (contact info & business hours)

  • Your nearest Veterinarian with dentistry services (contact info & business hours)

  • Your dog’s Pet Insurance Company

  • Your Microchip Company, in case your dog goes missing

  • Your Emergency Contact

  • Your trusted Pet Sitter or Dog Walker, in case you need their services at short notice

  • Your local Animal Shelter or Rescue Organization, in case you found a dog

  • Your local Police Department, in case your dog is stolen or involved in a serious incident

  • Your local Animal Control, in case your dog goes missing or gets involved in an accident

General Contacts (USA)

  • Pet Poison Helpline
    The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) are two options.

  • AAHA-Accredited Hospital Locator

Common Emergencies & First Aid

See below common emergencies, their causes, symptoms and first aid. The first step is always to stay calm and give your dog the needed help as soon as possible.

The information offered below is meant solely for informational purposes and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical guidance pertaining to dogs. To obtain a precise diagnosis and treatment for your dog’s emergency, we strongly recommend reaching out to your veterinarian.

Poisoning

Signs & Symptoms

  • Agitation

  • Tremors

  • Convulsions

  • Nausea and/or vomiting

  • Seizures

  • Heart problems

  • Diarrhea

  • Kidney failure

  • Excessive bruising or bleeding

  • Nosebleeds

  • Unsteady on feet

  • Drooling

  • Oral irritation / Pale gums

  • Inability to urinate

First Aid

  • Remove your dog from the source of the poison. If the skin or fur is contaminated, cleanse it with a mild shampoo and water, thoroughly rinse and dry.

  • Immediately contact your veterinarian providing details of when, where, and how the poisoning occurred. If feasible, bring along the packaging, plant, or substance to the vet, but only if it can be done safely.

  • Follow your vet's guidance.

    Do not:

  • Administer treatment or medication to dogs on your own. Certain medications intended for humans or other animals can be toxic to dogs.

  • Try to induce vomiting (e.g. by using saltwater) as it can be very dangerous for your dog.

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Medications (e.g. over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, ibuprofen, Advil and Aleve; herbal and nutraceutical products; prescription medications for humans)

  • People Food (e.g. chocolate, onions and garlic; more comprehensive list here)

  • Veterinary Products (e.g. medications like painkillers, de-wormers, and flea/tick treatments - if consumed or used incorrectly)

  • Household Products (e.g. household cleaning products, chemicals in antifreeze, paint thinner, chemicals for pools)

  • Rodenticides & Insecticides (e.g. rat poison and insecticides)

  • Plants (e.g. azaleas, rhododendrons, tulips, daffodils, sago palms; more comprehensive list here)

  • Lawn & Garden Products

Prevention

Familiarize yourself with all potential products, food, plants, etc. that are poisonous for your dog. Make sure to keep these items away from your dog at all times.

Heat Stroke

Signs & Symptoms

  • Heat cramps (muscle spasms)

  • Excessive drooling

  • Excessive panting

  • Reddened gums

  • Fast heart rate

  • Dehydration

  • Weakness / collapse

  • Lethargy / drowsiness

  • Disorientation / stumbling

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Seizures

  • Elevated temperature (greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit)

First Aid

  • Immediately move your dog to a shaded and cool area, if possible with a fan pointed at them.

  • Allow the dog to consume small quantities of cool water.

  • Pour tap water at temperatures around 59°F - 60.8°F (15-16°C) over your dog. In a true emergency, any water source will suffice. Do NOT use excessively cold water or ice to prevent shock. Refrain from pouring water on or near the dog's head to minimize the risk of water inhalation, which can lead to drowning, especially in dogs with flat faces or those that are unconscious.

  • Continue to pour cool water over the dog until the dog's breathing stabilizes, being cautious not to overdo it to the extent that the dog starts shivering.

  • In milder cases, towels can be positioned under the dog but should never be on top.

  • While you begin the cooling process, head immediately to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital.

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Dog left in the car - even on seemingly cool days or with the windows partially open

  • Dog exercising or walking even relatively short periods of time on a hot, humid day.

Prevention

  • Always make sure that your dog has access to water and shade when outdoors.

  • On hot, humid days, only walk or exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night.

  • Never leave your dog alone in the car, even on seemingly cool days.

Choking & Difficulty Breathing

Signs & Symptoms

  • Coughing

  • Choking sounds

  • Pawing at their muzzle and drooling

  • Rubbing their face on the floor, coughing and gagging

  • Skin and mucous membranes are blue

  • Dog appears panicked

  • Dog unsuccessfully trying to inhale air

  • Dog is unconscious

First Aid

Immediate action is crucial if your dog is choking.

  • Check your dog's mouth for any obstructions, but be cautious of potential bites as they may be in distress.

  • Check if the object can be removed manually by restraining your dog and opening their mouth, pulling the tongue forward, and carefully sweeping out the object with your fingers.

  • If the object is out of reach, you might be able to use the flat side of a spoon to push it closer. Be especially careful not to push it further into the throat.

  • In cases of complete airway obstruction by a smooth object like a ball, extraction techniques (e.g. Heimlich maneuver) can be performed if your dog is unconscious. Seek instructions from a veterinarian if necessary. After performing the Heimlich, place your dog on their side and do a mouth sweep to remove dislodged objects.

  • If your dog is not breathing, perform CPR.

  • Contact an emergency veterinarian immediately for guidance and next steps if your dog is choking.

Please note: Even if you successfully removed the choking hazard and your dog can breathe again, it's crucial to have them checked by a vet, especially if they were unconscious, as some objects may have caused hidden damage with potential for more serious issues.

Additional links:

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Constricting Collars

  • Foreign Objects

  • Collapsing Trachea

  • Infectious Disease (e.g. Kennel Cough)

Prevention

  • Eliminate potential choking hazards, such as children's toys and electrical cables.

  • Supervise your dog when they chew on rawhides or toys and remove them when they become small enough to swallow.

  • Provide your dog with sturdy toys appropriate for their chewing level to prevent breakage into smaller pieces.

  • Ensure your dog receives yearly bordetella vaccinations.

  • Maintain your dog at a healthy body weight through proper diet and exercise.

  • If your dog eats quickly, monitor their eating and consider using a slow feeder to prevent them from inhaling food.

Cracked Tooth

Signs & Symptoms

  • Chewing on one side

  • Dropping food while eating

  • Excessive drooling

  • Teeth grinding

  • Pawing at the mouth

  • Facial swelling

  • Enlarged lymph nodes

  • Avoiding face petting

  • Reluctance to eat hard food

  • Refusing to chew on hard treats or toys

First Aid

Take your dog to a veterinarian offering dental care services promptly to alleviate your dog's discomfort and prevent additional harm.

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • External trauma (e.g. hit by a car)

  • Chewing on hard objects (e.g. antlers, bones, hard / non-bending chew toys)

Prevention

  • Carefully select your dog’s treats and chew toys.

  • Avoid bones, antlers, cow hoofs, nylon chews, and pizzle sticks.

  • Prevent your dog from chewing on hard objects like table legs.

Near Drowning

Signs & Symptoms

  • Pet is unresponsive in the water

  • No pulse

  • No breathing

  • Coughing

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Distress

  • Lethargy

  • Anxiety

First Aid

Timely resuscitation is key (if possible, resuscitate while someone is driving you to the vet)

  • Clear the dog’s airway of water:

    • Puppies/small dogs: hold upside down (allows water to drain from the lungs)

    • Larger dogs: lay on side and elevate upper body (allows water to drain out of the nose and mouth)

  • Check for a pulse

    • if heart is beating but dog isn't breathing, perform artificial respiration: close mouth, extend neck, cover nose with mouth, exhale until chest rises, transport to vet when breathing resumes.

    • if no pulse: perform pet CPR (video; guidance)

  • Watch for secondary drowning (which can occur even up to three days after) symptoms:

    • lethargy

    • coughing

    • difficulty breathing

    • distress

    • anxiety

Additional links:

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Exhaustion from unsuccessfully trying to get out of the water

Prevention

  • Teach your dog how to swim / swim to the steps of the pool

  • Always supervise your dog near any body of water

  • Safeguard the pool area (fencing, sensor device that sounds an alarm when it detects motion, pet-safe pool ladder, ramp, pool cover)

Seizures

Signs & Symptoms

  • Running in circles

  • Falling to the floor

  • Twitching

  • Stiff muscles

  • Going into a state of complete unconsciousness

  • Losing the ability to focus on anything, including you

  • Drooling

  • Biting

  • Urinating or defecating uncontrollably

  • Staring blankly, but standing

First Aid

If you think your dog ingested something toxic, immediately visit the emergency vet.

During the seizure

  • Stay calm, try not to cry or yell to not frighten your dog even more; speak in a low, comforting voice

  • Sit near your dog but be careful petting them (watch out for potential bites out of fear, pain or confusion)

  • Carefully move your dog to a safe location

  • Time your dog’s seizures:

    • less than 2 minutes: everything should be ok

    • 2 - 5 minutes: take your dog to the vet asap

    • more than 5 minutes: your dog needs immediate treatment by a vet

    • Several seizures within a few minutes: your dog needs immediate treatment by a vet

After the seizure

  • Lower your dog’s temperature by placing a cool towel over his feet (wait until your dog is conscious to avoid a bite)

  • Wrap your dog in a blanket and comfort them (only if your dog is alert and otherwise back to normal)

  • Let your dog rest while periodically checking on them

  • Let you dog eat or drink (don’t force it) if they are alert and otherwise back to normal

  • Write down all details of what exactly happened for your vet

  • Contact your vet and discuss next steps

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Dog ingested something toxic

  • Epilepsy

  • Diet

  • Age

  • Hereditary problems

  • Underlying disease

Severe Vomiting / Diarrhea

Signs & Symptoms

  • Recurring (bloody) vomit

  • Recurring (bloody diarrhea)

  • Very dark stool

  • Drooling

  • Lip licking

  • Excessive swallowing

  • Increasingly lethargic

  • Inability to stand and walk

  • Refuses food

  • Can’t hold down water

  • Dehydration (check dry sticky gums)

  • Swollen abdomen

  • Visible parasites or worms in the vomit or stool

  • demonstrates signs of pain (yelping, crying, biting/scratching when touched in affected areas)

First Aid

  • Make sure your dog has always access to fresh water.

  • Skip food for 12 - 24 hours (does NOT apply to very small dogs and puppies!)

  • After that, slowly start feeding a bland diet in small meals. Either prescription diet or home-cooked meals, e.g. cooked chicken breast, white fish, turkey, egg, boiled white rice, cooked pasta

  • Recommendation:

    • Day 1: 50% of the recommended daily amount divided into 6-8 portions

    • Day 2 and 3: give 75% divided into 4-6 portions;

    • Day 4 and 5: give 100% divided into 3-4 portions

    • once the dog has been normal for a couple of days you can gradually re-introduce its normal food)

  • Make sure your dog is in a quiet space and can rest.

    Immediately take your dog to a veterinarian if your dog exhibits the following (make sure to note the color, consistency, volume, and when the last meal was):

    • increasingly lethargic

    • refusing food

    • bloody vomit

    • bloody diarrhea

    • vomiting for more than 12 hours

    • diarrhea for more than 24 hours

    • very dark stool

    • refusing to eat or drink for more than 1 - 2 days

    • dry sticky gums

    • swollen abdomen

    • recurring episodes of vomiting / diarrhea

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Certain viruses (e.g. parvovirus in puppies)

  • The dog ate something inappropriate (e.g. picked something up outside)

  • Food allergies / sensitivities

  • Foreign object that causes stomach or intestinal obstruction

  • Sudden changes in diet

  • Toxins / poisons

  • Parasites

  • Pancreatitis

  • Medication side effects

  • Chronic disease (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease)

  • Stress (e.g. due to boarding, change in environment or routine)

  • Metabolic illnesses affecting liver, kidneys, pancreas, or gall bladder

  • Hormonal disorders

  • GI ulcer

Prevention

  • Avoid feeding fatty, salty, or spicy foods

  • Introduce diet changes slowly

  • (if recommended by your veterinarian) Use calming supplements or anxiety medication if your pet is easily stressed

  • (if recommended by your veterinarian) Deworm your dog

  • Make sure to stay up-to-date on the age-appropriate vaccinations

Constipation

Signs & Symptoms

  • Decreased / no bowel movement

  • Dod struggles to defecate

  • Small, rock-hard stool

  • Blood in stool

  • Vomiting

  • Lack of appetite

  • Lack of energy

  • Swollen abdomen

  • Abdominal pain

  • Frequent licking at abdomen

First Aid

  • Walk

  • Exercise

  • Plain canned pumpkin (recommendation: 1 tbsp for every ten pounds, up to two times daily)

  • Wet food (either canned food or soak the regular dry food)

  • Hydrate your dog

  • Flaxseed (add a little to their regular food, mix with peanut butter or Greek yogurt)

  • Fiber-rich food (apples, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, green beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, plain oatmeal)

  • Small bowl of goat or cow milk

Take your dog to the vet for an examination and further treatment if your dog did not have a bowel movement in 2 - 3 days, has a lack of energy, or has no appetite.

Causes & Prevention

Causes

  • Sudden change in diet

  • Dehydration

  • Lack of exercise

  • Stress

  • Age

  • Blockage caused by on-food item (e.g. hair, toys)

  • Excessive or insufficient fiber in diet

  • Excessive self-grooming

  • Neurological disorder

  • Side effect of medication

  • Pain when dog positions themselves to defecate

Prevention

  • Hydration

  • Fiber-rich food

  • Exercise