Emergency First Aid for Pets & Wildlife
For Pets: Emergency call 08 8932 9738
If your pet has a life-threatening emergency and requires urgent assistance please call the number above, or come immediately to our clinic during opening hours. After hours, please contact vetchat.com.au for support. Please do your best to be calm as your pet will feel your distress. We will do our best to assist you.
For Wildlife Rescue
Wildlife may be brought to the clinic for FREE treatment, call us FIRST on 08 8932 9738 and we will advise you.
- ensure the animal actually needs rescuing!
- do NOT offer wildlife food, especially not cow’s milk!
- move road kill at least 10 meters off the road
- check dead kangaroo and possum pouches for joeys
FOR RESCUES: contact Wildcare Inc NT by calling 08 8988 6121
Injured Pet First Aid Steps
CALL: First, call us for help using the number above, then:
Danger
Check for danger to yourself, the pet, and those around you. Risk may be from the injured pet or the surroundings (e.g. chewed electrical cable, traffic)
Response
Check if your pet is responding to your call or touch. Be aware animals can respond badly when injured
Airway
If your pet does not respond, carefully check their mouth for blockages and clear it
Breathing
Look for chest movement, feel for air from the mouth, listen for breathing sounds. If your pet is not breathing then start EAR
Circulation
After the quick breaths, check for a pulse. This may be difficult depending on the animal. If you feel a pulse but no breathing, continue to provide breath. If you do not feel a pulse, start CPR
EAR Instructions
Start with a couple of quick breaths through their nose and mouth (appropriate to the size of the pet) and observe to see if their chest rises and falls. If not then adjust the position of their head to ensure airflow and try again.
Give 5 breaths every 10 seconds, then check for a pulse for no more than 5 seconds, if a pulse is found, continue breaths at rate of 15 per minute.
Give 5 breaths every 10 seconds, then check for a pulse for no more than 5 seconds, if a pulse is found, continue breaths at rate of 15 per minute.
CPR Instructions
If your pet is breathing then don’t worry about checking for a pulse.
To find the pulse, feel around your pet’s neck.
To find the pulse, feel around your pet’s neck.
How often should I check breathing & pulse?
Check breathing and pulse every minute at first, then every two minutes.
If your pet is breathing:
Danger
Check and remove any risk of further danger or injury to yourself or the pet
Treat any bleeding with gentle pressure or bandage
Treat any bleeding with gentle pressure or bandage
Food
Do not offer the injured pet food, especially not cow’s milk!
Noise/Anxiety
Minimise noise and anxiety for the pet
Minimise handling and stress, do not move the pet unless necessary
Keep children and other pets away from the injured pet!
Minimise handling and stress, do not move the pet unless necessary
Keep children and other pets away from the injured pet!
Get Help
Contact us for advice and treatment as soon as possible!