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Emergency Reference

Pet First Aid Guide

Step-by-step emergency instructions for pet owners in Macau. Follow these steps while you contact our 24/7 emergency team.

Call us immediately+853 6677 6611

In an emergency, every second counts. Call before you drive.

+853 6677 6611

Common Pet Emergencies

Find your emergency below and follow the steps. Call us at every step if you are unsure. We are ready to guide you by phone.

Critical

Choking

Your pet cannot breathe or is gagging excessively on a foreign object lodged in the throat.

  1. 1Stay calm and restrain your pet gently. Open their mouth and look inside. If you can see the object, try to remove it with tweezers or your fingers. Be careful not to push it deeper.
  2. 2If you cannot see or remove the object, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre. For small pets, hold them with their back against your chest and push up just below the ribcage. For larger dogs, place your fist below the ribcage and push up and forward.
  3. 3Give five firm blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
  4. 4Repeat thrusts and back blows until the object is dislodged or your pet begins breathing.
  5. 5If your pet loses consciousness, begin CPR and call us immediately.
Call us immediately
High urgency

Bleeding & Wounds

Active bleeding from a cut, puncture, or wound that will not stop on its own.

  1. 1Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, gauze, or towel. Maintain pressure for at least 3 to 5 minutes without lifting to check.
  2. 2If blood soaks through the cloth, add another layer on top. Do not remove the original dressing.
  3. 3For limb bleeding, apply a firm bandage above the wound. Do not apply a full tourniquet unless directed by a vet.
  4. 4Keep your pet calm and still. Elevate the bleeding area above heart level if possible.
  5. 5Transport your pet to the clinic immediately. Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes.
Call us immediately
Critical

Seizures

Uncontrolled shaking, convulsions, loss of consciousness, or paddling movements.

  1. 1Do not restrain your pet or put anything in their mouth. They cannot swallow their tongue, and you risk being bitten.
  2. 2Clear the surrounding area of furniture and hard objects. Cushion their head with a folded towel or blanket.
  3. 3Time the seizure. Note the duration and what your pet was doing before it started.
  4. 4Keep the room dim and quiet. Avoid loud noises and sudden movements.
  5. 5Call us immediately if the seizure lasts longer than two minutes, or if seizures repeat in a cluster. Bring your pet in once the active convulsing has stopped.
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Critical

Heatstroke

Overheating from hot weather, enclosed cars, or exertion. Signs include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, and collapse.

  1. 1Move your pet to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area immediately.
  2. 2Wet your pet with cool (not ice-cold) water. Focus on the belly, inner thighs, paws, and neck where blood vessels are close to the skin.
  3. 3Place a fan nearby to increase air flow. Offer small amounts of cool water to drink.
  4. 4Monitor rectal temperature if possible. Stop active cooling at 39.5 degrees Celsius to avoid dropping too low.
  5. 5Transport to the clinic immediately. Heatstroke causes organ damage that continues even after the pet appears to recover.
Call us immediately
Critical

Poisoning

Ingestion of toxic substances including chocolate, xylitol, rat bait, lilies, human medication, or household chemicals.

  1. 1Remove your pet from the source immediately. Collect the packaging, plant material, or product label to bring to the clinic.
  2. 2Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian instructs you to. Some substances cause more damage coming back up.
  3. 3Note what was swallowed, how much, and when. Take a photo of the label if possible.
  4. 4Rinse the mouth and skin with water if the toxin was topical. Do not let your pet groom contaminated fur.
  5. 5Call us immediately with the substance details. We will tell you the safest next step and prepare for your arrival.
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High urgency

Burns

Thermal, chemical, or electrical burns from hot surfaces, boiling liquids, electrical cords, or caustic substances.

  1. 1Remove the heat or chemical source immediately. For chemical burns, flush the area with cool running water for at least 10 minutes.
  2. 2Apply cool, not ice-cold, compresses to the burn. Never apply ice, butter, ointment, or any home remedy.
  3. 3Cover the burn with a clean, dry, non-stick dressing. A clean cling film works well to protect the area.
  4. 4Keep your pet warm and calm. Burns can lead to shock rapidly.
  5. 5Transport to the clinic immediately. Burns worsen over the first 24 hours and require professional wound care.
Call us immediately
High urgency

Fractures

Broken bones from falls, vehicle accidents, or trauma. Signs include limping, swelling, deformity, and pain.

  1. 1Keep your pet as still as possible. Movement can turn a simple fracture into an open or compound one.
  2. 2Transport your pet on a flat, firm surface such as a board, tray, or folded blanket used as a stretcher.
  3. 3Do not attempt to splint the bone yourself. Improvised splints often cause more damage and severe pain.
  4. 4Support the injured limb gently during transport. Keep it in a natural position.
  5. 5Call us immediately so we can prepare for emergency stabilisation and pain control before you arrive.
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Critical

CPR

Your pet is not breathing and has no heartbeat. Perform CPR while someone calls us immediately.

  1. 1Lay your pet on their right side on a firm, flat surface. Check for breathing and a heartbeat for no more than 10 seconds.
  2. 2Position your hands over the widest part of the chest. For cats and small dogs, use one hand. For medium and large dogs, use both hands with arms straight.
  3. 3Compress the chest one-third to one-half of its depth at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
  4. 4After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. Close the mouth, extend the neck, and breathe into the nostrils until you see the chest rise.
  5. 5Continue cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths. Have someone call us immediately and transport as soon as spontaneous breathing or a pulse returns.
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Do not wait. Call our emergency team now.

Royal Veterinary Center is Macau's 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital. Our team is standing by to help you and your pet through any crisis.

Call us immediately+853 6677 6611

Important Disclaimer

This first aid guide is provided for general reference only and does not replace professional veterinary care. The instructions are designed to stabilise your pet while you transport them to Royal Veterinary Center.

Always call our emergency line at +853 6677 6611 before attempting any first aid. A veterinarian can guide you through the safest steps for your specific situation and prepare our team for your arrival.

Never delay professional treatment. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis and care. Misapplied techniques can worsen injuries or cause additional harm. When in doubt, call us.

Royal Veterinary Center Macau