Animal Emergency and Critical Care

Rapid breathing, coughing, and wheezing are all common signs of respiratory distress in animals.

Heart attack is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in animals.

Pale gums, cold extremities, and rapid heart rate are all common signs of shock in animals.

Starting IV fluids is the most important step in treating an animal in shock.

Eating plants, drinking antifreeze, and inhaling smoke are all common causes of poisoning in animals.

Inducing vomiting, giving activated charcoal, and administering antidotes are all important steps in treating an animal that has been poisoned.

Vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness are all common signs of a head injury in animals.

Immobilizing the head, administering oxygen, and giving pain medication are all important steps in treating an animal with a head injury.

Paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulty breathing are all common signs of a spinal cord injury in animals.

Immobilizing the spine, administering oxygen, and giving pain medication are all important steps in treating an animal with a spinal cord injury.

Pain, swelling, and deformity are all common signs of a broken bone in animals.

Immobilizing the bone, administering pain medication, and applying a splint are all important steps in treating an animal with a broken bone.

Redness, swelling, and blisters are all common signs of a burn in animals.

Cooling the burn, administering pain medication, and applying a bandage are all important steps in treating an animal with a burn.

Bleeding, pain, and swelling are all common signs of a laceration in animals.

Stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound, and suturing the wound are all important steps in treating an animal with a laceration.