While you may be familiar with the Heimlich maneuver and CPR for people, do you know what to do if your pet starts choking or gets struck by a car? If your pet ever suffers from a medical emergency, your preparedness could make all the difference. Here is a rundown of some common pet emergencies, and what you can do to get your pet through them.

1) Getting Hit by a Vehicle

If your pet is hit by a car, you will have to be careful about how you get them out of the road. For one thing, an injured animal has a higher likelihood of biting you. Start by wrapping a scarf or belt, etc., around the muzzle—except if they're vomiting—and then you can carefully slide your pet onto a blanket or towel (which you should have in your first-aid kit). Just be sure that you do not actually pick your dog or cat up. You need to keep it warmed, in case of shock, and if you think you see that a bone has been broken, use a rolled up magazine or newspaper for a splint.

2) Poisoning

The good news: many common poisons have antidotes. But you need to act fast. Call 888-426-4435 to reach the Animal Poison Control hotline, or 800-213-6680 to get the Pet Poison Helpline as soon as you can. And before an emergency strikes, be aware that many substances in your house could be toxic for your cat or dog, substances that include anything from antifreeze and insecticides to aspirin, raisins, and sugar-free gum.

3) Choking

If your pet is choking and is still conscious, use a pet-version of the Heimlich maneuver. This means that you need to:

• Put the pet on its side
• Push directly behind the ribs as you push forward
• Have someone drive you to the vet's so you perform first aid on the way there

If your pet is unconscious after choking, open its mouth and see if you can get at the object with your fingers. If you have a small pet, you could also try holding them up from the back legs and trying to shake the object free.

4) Suffering a Seizure

These usually will last no longer than three minutes. You need to watch your pet until the seizure ends, keeping dangerous furniture and objects out of the way. Do not reach into your pet's mouth to pull out their tongue; animals will not swallow them when they have seizures. As soon as the seizure has passed, call your vet.

5) Getting Bit by a Dog

If your pet has been bitten by a dog, then you may need to see a vet immediately to stave off infection. All manner of debris could have been forced into the wound because of the bite, and it could need treatment.

6) Stung by a Bee or Wasp

These will probably only result in some itching and a bit of swelling. If the stinger is visible, however, you can scraped this off with a credit card. You might want to give your dog or cat something like Benadryl, or some other antihistamine that can help them out (you'll need to call your veterinarian to make sure you get the dosage right). Do keep an eye on your pet after. If their face or neck swells, or if you see hives over their body, you need to rush over to the vet's, because your pet could be suffering an anaphylactic reaction.

7) Suffering Heatstroke

The symptoms of this emergency can include:

• Heavy panting
• Drooling
• Difficulty breathing

Get your pet to the shade as soon as possible. Place a wet, cool cloth over its head (but not the face) and along the neck. You may want to get a trickle going from a hose so you can run cold water over your pet (be sure to get their belly), and then you should take your dog or cat to see the vet.

If you are still looking for a veterinarian in your area, you can find the health expert you need on our directory today!