🆘 Yorkshire Terrier Emergency Home Guide

Basic First Aid Principles

1️⃣ Golden Time: Due to their small size, Yorkies’ conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Take action within 15 minutes.
2️⃣ Stay Calm: Dogs sense human emotions. Panic can worsen their stress.
3️⃣ Stabilize First, Then Go to the Vet: Prioritize life-threatening issues (e.g., choking, heavy bleeding).

6 Emergency Situations and What to Do

1️⃣ Hypoglycemic Coma (Low Blood Sugar)

Symptoms: Weakness, dilated pupils, body temperature below 37°C (98.6°F), drooling.
What to Do:

• Glucose intake: Apply 5% glucose solution (0.5ml/kg) to the gums. Force feed if no swallowing reflex.
• Warm the body: Wrap in thermal foil or food delivery bags. ❌ Never use a blow dryer!
• Go to the vet: Bring feeding records and a stool sample/photo.
  Emergency Kit: Glucose gel, rectal thermometer, thermal blanket.
  Prevention: Feed puppies every 4 hours. Night meals should cover 40% of total daily calories.

2️⃣ Heatstroke (Common in Summer)

Symptoms: Rapid panting, bright red gums, vomiting, seizures.
What to Do:

• Cool down: Use cool (not cold) wet towels under armpits and groin.
• Hydrate: Use a syringe to give electrolyte water (1ml every 5 mins).
• Transport: Lay flat with head lower than body to prevent brain swelling.
  ❌ Don’t: Use ice baths or give human fever medications.

3️⃣ Foreign Object Ingestion

Symptoms: Gagging, drooling, refusing food, tense belly.
What to Do:

• Assess vomiting eligibility:
  • ✅ Yes: If ingested ≤ 2 hours ago and dog is conscious.
  • ❌ No: If the item is sharp or corrosive (e.g., bleach).
• How to induce vomiting: 3% hydrogen peroxide (1ml/kg) orally. Repeat once after 10 minutes if needed.
• Go to the vet: Bring any leftover item or packaging.

4️⃣ Wounds and Bleeding

What to Do:

• Stop bleeding: Apply firm pressure with sterile gauze for 5 minutes.
• Disinfect: Rinse with saline, use povidone-iodine (❌ No alcohol).
• Dress the wound: Apply antibiotic ointment, cover with gauze and elastic bandage.
  Vet visit required if: Wound is >2cm, deep into muscle, or bleeding persists.

5️⃣ Fracture or Sprain

Symptoms: Limping, refusal to be touched, swelling.
What to Do:

• Immobilize: Use rolled magazine or cardboard splint with bandage. ❌ Don’t try to realign bones!
• Cold compress: Apply ice pack wrapped in a towel for 10 mins at a time.
• Transport: Carry flat and gently to avoid shock or more injury.

6️⃣ Poisoning

What to Do:

• Identify the toxin: Save vomit or food packaging for reference.
• Emergency response:
  • Skin contact: Wash with soapy water for 10 minutes.
  • Swallowed: Administer activated charcoal (1g/kg) mixed with water (only for non-corrosive toxins).
• Go to the vet: Report the substance, amount, and exposure time.

Note: This guide is for emergency home care and does NOT replace professional veterinary treatment. Always consult a vet as soon as possible.