Severe bleeding (severed artery / deep wound)
CRITICAL
Severe bleeding (severed artery / deep wound)
Trauma
Blood spurting in jets, or still flowing after 5 minutes of pressure — an artery may be cut.
Symptoms to watch for
- ▸ Blood spurting in jets (artery) or oozing steadily (vein)
- ▸ A wound deep enough to show the tissue underneath
- ▸ Your pet is pale and weak
- ▸ Racing heart, rapid breathing
- ▸ Chalk-white gums
DO THIS NOW (in order)
- 1 Put on gloves (if you have them) or use a clean cloth
- 2 PRESS DIRECTLY on the wound with clean gauze and HOLD IT THERE — do not lift it to look
- 3 If the gauze soaks through — add more on top, never replace it
- 4 Raise the injured limb (if it is a leg) if your pet allows it and no fracture is suspected
- 5 Call the clinic and get there within 30 minutes
NEVER DO THIS
- ✕ DO NOT keep lifting the gauze to check (it breaks up the clot)
- ✕ DO NOT apply a tourniquet unless the vet tells you to — it can cause tissue death
- ✕ DO NOT sprinkle turmeric/charcoal/ash on the wound (infection and delayed healing)
- ✕ DO NOT give water or painkillers
Getting there safely
Keep pressure on the wound the whole way. Lay your pet on their side with the head slightly lower (to counter shock). Use a warm blanket to hold body heat.
While you wait for the vet
- ▸ Watch the gums — still pink = no shock yet; white = heavy blood loss
- ▸ Count breaths (normal is 10-30 per minute)
- ▸ Keep your pet warm with a blanket
- ▸ If your pet loses consciousness → check the pulse and be ready for CPR
RED FLAG — get emergency care right away if you see:
- Blood spurting in jets
- A wound over 5cm, or with bone showing
- Your pet faints / loses reflexes
- Chalk-white gums + heart rate >180 bpm
This guide does NOT replace a vet's diagnosis. Always contact the clinic, even if your pet seems fine.