Emergencies and First Aid
We show you what you can do in minor or serious emergencies until professional care is available. Please always consider what you should do and what only a veterinarian can provide. With our knowledge and experience as clinicians, we want to support and encourage you to help your animal in emergencies. In particularly critical situations, with some preparation, specific knowledge, and a little training, you can save your animal’s life. You are capable! We will inform you when your first aid measures will likely be sufficient and when you should consult a veterinarian.
General information
Go to:
Checklists
Important Phone Numbers
Keep a note with the numbers in your first aid kit and also save them on your mobile phone
- Family Veterinarian
Name __________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
Phone Number __________________________
- Nearest Veterinarian
Name __________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
Phone Number __________________________
- Nearest Veterinary Clinic
Name __________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
Phone Number __________________________
- Taxis that transport animals
Phone Number __________________________
- Local animal welfare organization, if a stray or wild animal is found injured
Phone Number __________________________
- Police, if a stray animal is hit by a car
- Phone Number ________________________
Checklist for a Call to the Veterinarian
In case of a serious emergency it is helpful to inform your veterinarian by phone (no email, no SMS) before you arrive. Then preparations can possibly already be made.
You should be able to answer these questions if possible:
- What kind of emergency is it?
- When did the emergency occur?
- Is the animal responsive?
- What has been done so far?
- What do the mucous membranes look like?
- If possible, what are the values for body temperature (BT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and capillary refill time (CRT)?
What is “normal” and how these values are measured in dogs and cats you can find here: Normal Values
You can also find an overview of these topics here: