Dog emergency &
summer safety hub

EMERGENCY NOW

Possible snake bite

1. Move away from the snake. Do not approach, catch or kill it.
2. Keep your dog calm and as still as possible. Carry them if you can do so safely.
3. Phone the nearest vet or emergency hospital and leave immediately. Tell them when and where the encounter occurred.

Do not: wait for symptoms, wash or cut the bite, apply ice or a tourniquet, or give food or water.

CONTACT A VET NOW

Found a tick or suspect tick paralysis

1. If you find a tick or attachment crater, contact a vet immediately even if your dog seems well. A changed bark, gagging, vomiting, wobbly legs, weakness or breathing difficulty means phone a vet and leave now.
2. Remove an attached tick promptly with a tick tool or fine-tipped tweezers, gripping close to the skin. Do not delay travel if removal is difficult.
3. Search the whole body—especially the head and neck—and keep your dog quiet. A prolonged search must not delay emergency care.

Do not: assume removal means the danger has passed. Toxin effects can continue and another tick may be present. For suspected tick paralysis, do not give food, water or oral medicines unless the vet instructs you.

ACT IMMEDIATELY

Licked or mouthed a cane toad

1. Move your dog away from the toad and phone your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline immediately. For vomiting, tremors, stiffness, wobbliness, seizures, collapse or breathing difficulty, go straight to an emergency vet.
2. Only if your dog is conscious, alert and safe to handle, wipe the gums, tongue and roof of the mouth with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth after each wipe; continue for about 10 minutes while veterinary help is arranged.
3. If your dog is collapsing, unconscious or seizing, do not put your hands in the mouth or attempt wiping. Do not delay emergency transport to finish wiping.

Do not: hose or pour water into the mouth, because your dog may inhale it.

EMERGENCY NOW

Possible heatstroke

1. Move your dog into shade or air conditioning and telephone a veterinarian while cooling begins.
2. Start cooling before transport: apply available water cooler than your dog to the body and add airflow. Do not delay cooling to find water at an exact temperature. Keep water out of the nose and mouth.
3. Travel to the clinic as directed, with the car air conditioning running. Continue gentle cooling if practical.

Do not: force water into a weak or confused dog’s mouth, immerse an unconscious or struggling dog, or wrap the dog in a heavy wet towel that can trap heat.

CALL BEFORE SYMPTOMS

Ate a toxic food, plant, medicine or chemical

1. Remove access and safely keep the packaging, label, plant sample or a clear photograph.
2. Note what was eaten, approximately how much and when.
3. Phone your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Follow their instructions.

Do not: wait for symptoms or induce vomiting unless a veterinary or poisons professional instructs you.

SEVERE REACTION = EMERGENCY

Bee or wasp sting

Breathing trouble, collapse, pale gums, severe swelling, vomiting or diarrhoea after a sting: phone a vet and leave now. For a local reaction, keep your dog calm and call for advice. A cool wet cloth may ease discomfort.

Do not: give antihistamines without veterinary instructions or reach into a distressed dog’s mouth.

Sting guidance checked 19 October 2026.

PROMPT VET CHECK

Possible grass seed in a paw, ear, nose or skin

1. Stop licking or chewing and inspect gently in good light.
2. If a seed is only loose in the coat, remove it carefully. If it has entered the skin or an opening, arrange veterinary care.
3. Seek prompt help for swelling, limping, discharge, repeated sneezing, head shaking, pain or a draining wound.

Do not: dig into the skin or ear canal. Barbed grass seeds can move deeper and may not back out naturally.