The PET-ABC care library
Emergencies & first aid
What to do in the first critical minutes — choking, CPR, heatstroke, poisoning and bleeding.
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Choking dog: back blows, the Heimlich manoeuvre and what to do first
How to tell coughing from choking, the order of first-aid steps now recommended by veterinary emergency specialists, and when to start CPR.
3 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Heatstroke in dogs: spot it early and cool them correctly
Heatstroke can kill within an hour. Learn the warning signs, the right way to cool a dog (and when to stop), and why most cases don't happen in hot cars.
2 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Processionary caterpillars and viper bites: Mediterranean dangers for dogs
Pine processionary caterpillars and vipers cause real emergencies across Greece and southern Europe every year. Here's how to recognise them, what to do in the first minutes, and why speed matters.
3 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Bleeding and bandaging: first aid for cuts and wounds
How to stop bleeding with direct pressure, when a tourniquet is appropriate, how to put on a temporary paw bandage, and the signs of internal bleeding.
2 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Choking cat: how to help safely
Choking is rarer in cats than dogs, but hair ties, toy parts and bones can block the airway. Here's how to clear it without getting hurt.
2 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
Common pet poisons: what to do if your pet eats something toxic
Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, lilies, antifreeze, rat bait and human painkillers — why they're dangerous, how fast they act, and why you shouldn't make your pet sick at home.
3 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
CPR for cats: what to do if your cat stops breathing
The one-hand compression technique for cats, the 30:2 rhythm, and how to keep going on the way to the vet.
2 min read
▶ VideoEmergencies & first aid
CPR for dogs: a step-by-step guide
When to start CPR, where to put your hands for different chest shapes, and the 30:2 rhythm recommended by veterinary emergency specialists.
2 min read