What to Do Before You Reach the Emergency Clinic
Emergencies are stressful, but knowing what to do can help stabilize your pet until you can get to Lubbock Small Animal Emergency Clinic. Below are quick, vet-approved first aid tips for common critical situations:
Wound Care
- Apply firm pressure with clean gauze or a cloth to control bleeding.
- Flush visible debris with sterile saline or clean water.
- For deep wounds or heavy bleeding, maintain pressure and seek emergency care immediately.
Seizures
- Protect your pet from nearby objects to prevent injury.
- Do not put your hands or any object in their mouth.
- Do not attempt to restrain them; gently rest a hand on their side if safe.
- Call us if the seizure lasts more than 3–5 minutes or recurs within an hour.
Choking
- Hold the mouth open and check for visible obstructions.
- Only attempt to remove the object if it’s clearly reachable—never reach blindly.
- For small dogs, gently lift the hind legs to use gravity to help dislodge the object.
- If choking continues, apply quick upward thrusts behind the ribcage and seek help immediately.
Poisoning
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian.
- Call us or a poison control hotline right away if you suspect ingestion of a toxic substance.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435
- National Animal Poison Control Center: 1-800-548-2423
These tips can make a difference in those first few minutes—but they are not a replacement for emergency care.
If your pet is in distress, call Lubbock Small Animal Emergency Clinic.