Emergency 101 instructions apply equally to dogs and cats.

What to do if your think your dog/cat has a medical emergency:

1 – Make sure the AIRWAYS are clear.

• Place the dog/cat down on its side.
• Tilting the dog/cat’s head back.
• Pull the tongue out.
• Check for foreign objects by swiping the inside of the animal’s mouth with your fingers.

2 – Make sure the dog/cat is BREATHING.
If the dog/cat is not breathing, immediately start CPR with chest compressions and rescue breathing.

Rescue Breath Instructions:

• Close the dog/cat’s mouth gently and extend the neck to open the airway.
• Wrap your hands around the mouth and nose of the dog/cat and exhale until you see the dog/cat’s chest rise. The air should go into the nose of the dog/cat.
• Blow air into the dog/cat’s nose for about 1-2 seconds.

3 – Make sure the dog/cat has a PULSE.
In the absence of a heartbeat, immediately start CPR with chest compressions and rescue breathing.

How to Check for a pulse:

• Place your finger on the inside of the dog/cat’s thigh, exactly where the thigh meets the abdomen (crotch area).
• Press against the skin on the inside of the thigh. You want to be pushing up on their crotch area.
• Move your fingers slowly until you can feel a pulse.