Lucky Lucy’s Pets is a dog walking and pet sitting company in the Greater Boston area. Established in 2012, LLP focuses on quality and professional care for your family members that aren’t humans.
Lucky Lucy’s Pets is a dog walking and pet sitting company in the Greater Boston area. Established in 2012, LLP focuses on quality and professional care for your family members that aren’t humans.
Pet CPR and first aid are life-saving skills that every pet care professional should know. Emergencies like choking, heatstroke, injury, or cardiac arrest can happen in an instant—and knowing how to respond calmly and correctly can mean the difference between life and death. Pet CPR helps keep oxygen flowing when a pet’s heart or breathing stops, while first aid covers critical care for bleeding, shock, poisoning, or trauma until a vet can take over. Being trained shows clients you’re prepared, responsible, and truly dedicated to the well-being of every animal in your care.
Animals in distress often show physical and behavioral warning signs. Look out for excessive panting, drooling, pale or blue gums, shaking, weakness, limping, vomiting, or sudden behavioral changes like aggression or withdrawal. Difficulty breathing, disorientation, or collapsing are red flags that require immediate attention. Whether it's heatstroke, injury, poisoning, or illness—recognizing these signs early can save a pet’s life.
Excessive panting or drooling
Bright red or pale gums
Rapid heart rate
Vomiting or diarrhea
Weakness, confusion, or collapsing
Glassy eyes or staring
Seizures (in severe cases)
What to do: Move to a cool place, apply cool (not cold) water to paws/belly, offer small sips of water, and transport to a vet immediately.
Shivering or trembling
Lethargy
Weak pulse or breathing
Pale or blue gums and inner eyelids
Body feels cold to the touch
Loss of consciousness in severe cases
What to do: Warm them gradually with blankets, warm water bottles (wrapped in cloth), and get veterinary help ASAP.
Pale gums
Rapid heartbeat and breathing
Weak pulse
Cold extremities
Vomiting or collapse
Often caused by: Trauma, internal bleeding, severe allergic reactions.
What to do: Keep them warm, quiet, and calm. Do not offer food or water. Transport immediately.
Whining, whimpering, or growling
Hiding or avoiding touch
Limping or not bearing weight on a limb
Sudden aggression or withdrawal
Excessive licking of a body part
Shallow or rapid breathing
Don’t assume they'll "walk it off"—injuries can worsen without treatment.
Labored or noisy breathing
Open-mouth breathing (especially cats—not normal)
Blue-tinged tongue or gums (lack of oxygen)
Extended neck and elbows out while breathing
Weakness or collapse
What to do: Minimize stress and movement, keep airways clear, and get to a vet immediately.
Vomiting, diarrhea
Drooling
Swelling around face/mouth
Hives or itchiness
Seizures or disorientation
What to do: Call the ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and get to a vet.
Staggering, falling, circling
Sudden aggression or fear
Seizures (muscle twitching, paddling limbs, loss of control)
Blank staring or unresponsiveness
Always treat seizures or neurological episodes as an emergency.