Our pets rely on us to take care of them when they’re sick or injured. But if we’re not prepared, panic and confusion may hinder our ability to act appropriately when they need us most. The best way to increase your chances of responding quickly and calmly to a pet emergency is to familiarize yourself with basic pet first aid techniques.

“Though never a substitute for veterinary treatment, properly applied first aid can minimize a pet’s trauma and even save their life until you are able to transport them to a veterinarian,” says MHS veterinarian Belinda Evans.

You are your first priority

In an emergency situation, your first priority should always be to protect yourself. Before approaching an injured animal, carefully assess the scene to check for hazards (i.e., electrical wires, traffic, unstable structures, etc.). If all looks clear, approach slowly and with caution. Any injured animal has the potential to bite.

An animal should be muzzled and properly restrained before any care is administered. If necessary, you can make a homemade muzzle on the spot using a piece of cloth. Restraint techniques will depend on the extent and location of injury. It may be dangerous to muzzle an animal who is coughing, vomiting, having trouble breathing or resisting out of fear. In this case, do not attempt treatment on your own.

Practice reading vital signs

Practice measuring vital signs on your healthy pet so that you become sensitive to changes that signal a medical emergency.

The heartbeat of a dog or cat can be felt by laying an animal down on their right side and placing your hand over their chest, just behind the left elbow. Normal heart rates for dogs average 60–160 beats per minute, while cat heart rates average 160–220 beats per minute. Pulses may also be measured with your middle and index finger on the inner thigh, just below the wrist and just below the ankle.

You can measure an animal’s breathing rate by observing their sides to watch their chest expand. Alternatively, you may hold a tissue in front of the nostrils to see if it moves, or hold a mirror up to the animal’s nose to look for condensation. Normal dog breathing rates are 10–30 breaths per minute, while cat breathing rates average 20–30 breaths per minute.

While it may be difficult to practice taking your pet’s body temperature, note that temperatures under 100° and over 104° F are considered an emergency.

Know your ABCs

If an animal has stopped breathing, knowing the ABC steps (airway, breathing, circulation) can mean the difference between life and death. If there is no breathing despite a clear airway, you will need to perform artificial respiration. If there is no pulse, compressions alternating with breaths will be necessary. The American Red Cross’s Pet First Aid book is a great resource for learning how to perform CPR, but a better way is to take a class where you can practice on an animal mannequin.

When is it an emergency?

Difficulty breathing, seizures, excessive bleeding, shock, poisoning, heatstroke and snake bites are some of the more obvious situations constituting an emergency. But some trauma can be less obvious. Learn what is normal for your pet so that you are able to recognize when something is abnormal. Always have the phone number for your emergency veterinarian handy, too. By asking questions over the phone, your vet should be able to tell you whether you need to bring your pet in right away.

Carrie Harrington is the public information associate at the Marin Humane Society.

Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal