Pet Emergencies: Critical Steps to Take

If there is something every pet owner dreads, it is an emergency situation. If we know what to do, we can handle these circumstances correctly. Being prepared will give us the clarity and calm essential for such times. Knowing how to respond to these times can make a big difference in your pet’s life.

The number one thing you need to know in these situations is your main veterinarian’s emergency number. The second thing you need to know is an after-hours vet’s emergency number. Always have a backup in case your main veterinarian is inaccessible.

How to Manage Emergencies Well

Stay Calm and Evaluate the Issue

If your pets present any unusual actions or meet an accident, calm both of yourselves down. It will be clearer to see that this is an emergency situation for injuries such as deep lacerations or broken bones. However, if your pet has signs and symptoms and you can not tell why you need to observe them.

Loss of appetite and lethargy are non-emergency signs and might disappear the next day. If they don’t, check if other symptoms might tell you that this is an emergency situation. This may be a result of missed cat or dog vaccinations. Such symptoms to watch out for are:

• Trouble breathing
• Abdominal distention
• Serious vomiting and diarrhea
• Unusual gum color
• Seizures

Make the Call

Once you feel that this is an emergency situation, make the call. This Edgewater pet clinic can help. Be prepared to explain your pet’s condition and to listen. The vet will give you guidance on how to administer first aid and how to prepare your pet to travel. The veterinarian will let you know if this is an urgent matter or not.

Calling the vet prior to the trip also will help them prepare the necessary equipment they need to have. As soon as you walk through their doors, immediate action can be taken. Do not forget to tell them if your pet is under any medication, too.

Give First Aid

Your vet can guide you through what to do, such as dressing an injury, tweezing out a bee stinger, or checking if there is something lodged in your pet’s throat. First aid does not necessarily mean that the issue is resolved; however, it might mean that the scenario is handled well enough for travel. Having the ability to do this might save your pet’s life.

Prepare Your Pet to Travel

If your pet is in pain, they might react negatively to you. For the dogs, calm them down enough to put a muzzle on them. If your pet is a cat, clothe a towel on its head to avoid bites. If they will be carried, wrap them in blankets, or make sure that their crates are comfortable.

If your pet consumes anything they aren’t supposed to, like human food or medications, bring wrappers or labels so the veterinarian knows what to do. If someone is available to assist you during the trip, do not hesitate to seek aid.

Make the Trip

Now that you have actually done all the best, you can make the trip. Make sure you and your pets are correctly restrained. Calmly drive to the veterinarian. If you have done all the steps above, take comfort in the fact that the vets are waiting for you. Click here for the location of Animal General on Hudson.

The Bottomline

The best defense is still preparedness and prevention. Supervision is the one thing that we can do as much as we can. However, accidents can still occur, and you will be glad to know how to react. However, for sicknesses, prevention is crucial. Prevent these surprise visits as much as you can by going on routine examinations faithfully. Whatever occurs, though, it is up to you to step up.