Protect yourself first

  • At a road accident, check the traffic before stepping into the road.
  • Any animal in pain may bite, however gentle normally. For dogs, a long strip of cloth or bandage can make a temporary muzzle (one loop round the snout, tied behind the neck), but not if the dog is vomiting, struggling to breathe or has a head injury.
  • Wrap cats in a thick towel with only the head out, then put them in a carrier.

Before you set off: do

  1. Call 2126 7440, tell us what happened and when you will arrive, so oxygen, pain relief and fluids are ready.
  2. Moving: lay large dogs flat on a board, ironing board or a blanket pulled taut, carried by two people, keeping the spine as straight as possible; small dogs and cats go in a carrier or box.
  3. Bleeding: press firmly on the wound with a clean towel or gauze for 5 minutes. If it soaks through, do not remove it; add another layer and keep pressing.
  4. Fractures: do not try to straighten or splint; support with a towel to limit movement.
  5. Eye popped out (common in flat-faced dogs): cover with a clean wet cloth to keep it moist and set off at once.
  6. Burns: cool under room-temperature running water for 10 minutes; no toothpaste, no ice.

Do not

  • Do not tie a cord tightly round a leg to stop bleeding (tourniquet); tissue below can die.
  • Do not give human painkillers: paracetamol is fatal to cats and ibuprofen causes stomach bleeding and kidney failure in dogs.
  • Do not give food or water, as an anaesthetic may be needed.
  • Do not skip the vet because your pet can still walk.

Cats falling from windows: very common in Hong Kong

Cats that fall from windows or balconies often have chest injuries (collapsed or bruised lungs), a broken jaw, broken teeth, nosebleeds or broken back legs. Even from the second or third floor, and even if the cat runs off and hides, get it checked.

Prevention: fit strong cat-proof mesh or grilles on every window and balcony, not just insect screens; air-conditioner ledges and laundry racks are common places cats fall from.

Looks fine? Still come in

  • Pale gums, swollen belly → possible internal bleeding
  • Fast or open-mouth breathing → possible collapsed or bruised lung
  • Blood in the urine or no urine → possible bladder or urethra injury
  • Dog bites: a few small holes in the skin can hide torn muscle underneath, and these wounds infect easily

At the hospital

  1. Triage and stabilisation: oxygen, pain relief and fluids, treating shock and breathing problems first.
  2. Bedside ultrasound: a quick check for blood or air in the chest and abdomen.
  3. X-ray and CT: chest, fractures, spine and head; CT is especially useful for complex fractures and head injuries.
  4. Wound care: cleaning, removing damaged tissue and stitching; bite wounds usually need antibiotics and drainage.
  5. Surgery: soft-tissue and wound repairs are done here; complex fractures may be referred for orthopaedic surgery.
  6. Observation: internal bleeding and collapsed lungs can appear late, so serious trauma usually means 24 to 48 hours in hospital.