Emergency Pet Care: What You Need to Know

As the pet parents, our furry friends hinge on us to be loved, treasured as well as nurtured. Yet whatever we do to secure them, accidents, accidents and emergencies may occur at any moment. Be it that your pet is already injured, acting out of character or they have consumed something they should not have, knowing how to handle an emergency situation can make the difference between life and death. In this article, we will offer you essential information on managing emergency pet care, including the recommendations of esteemed pet experts and knowledge on when to turn to expert care. At pet fresh supplies you can get to know more about your pets and their care.

What is Emergency Pet Care?

Emergency pet care is medical care and procedures that are needed when a pet is in danger of health threat or injury. Emergencies may be low-level to high-level like choking, poisoning, or major trauma as a result of an accident. As a pet parent, preparedness and knowing the right action to take in such a situation can be a matter of life and death as far as your pet is concerned.

Emergencies may include:

Trauma: Damages incurred as a result of accidents, falls or engagement in physical fights with other animals.

Poisoning: The act of taking poison: this can be food, chemicals or plants.

Choking: Pets can get something stuck in their throats, so they have a block to their air vents.

Heatstroke: Hot weather can be extremely dangerous to pets because of overheating.

Severe allergic reactions: Allergens that cause immediate and life threatening responses. Acute symptoms / acute illness: Vomiting, diarrhea or any other sign of something being awry with health.

You may want to read about Pet Hygeine Guidance.

Key Steps to Take During an Emergency

It is essential to learn how to react to an emergency situation in order to avoid additional damages occurring in such an event. There are general steps that you can go through most of the time when faced with emergencies on your pet.   

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Having your pet in pain, it is always the best way to manage the emergency situation by remaining calm. Alternatively, panicking may lead further to the development of the situation and the inability to think reasonably. Take a rapid survey of the situation

Does your pet feel and breathe?

Is there any hemorrhage, or obvious injury?

Does the dog act in pain or agony, such as is it whining or even panting to relay that something is not right?

Observing the condition you may make decisions on the kind of emergency care your pet requires or whether he/she has to be taken to vet. 

People are interested in knowing their dog’s good Pet Care Guide

2. Basic First Aid for Pets

Fortunately, all pet owners should have first aid knowledge about pets. The following are some of the basic steps to follow during common cases of emergency:

Bleeding: Wrap lightly any wound which is bleeding with a handkerchief or large bandage. If the bleeding is heavy, raise the contented body part (where applicable) then apply a constant pressure till assistance arrives.

Choking: In case your pet is choking, you may attempt to get the object out of his mouth when possible. In case it is not possible and your pet is having difficulties with breathing, administer the Heimlich maneuver (dog). In case of small pets, open their mouth and examine the cause of the block by using caution not to inflict extra injuries.

In the sense that your pet is not responsive and is not breathing, there can be a need of CPR. This will entail chest compressions (in dogs) and mouth-to-nose breathing. Even though this is very much necessary to be performed, it is important that one correctly educates him/herself before attempting to do CPR since doing it wrong could be even more harmful. You can know more about dog breeds and their habits.

3. Know Your Veterinary Emergency Plan

All pet owners need to have a backup plan to be followed to seek a professional veterinary. Find out where your closest emergency vet hospital is, and the contact information. To obtain information regarding veterinary emergency services that are available please visit your local veterinary clinic or refer to the list of veterinary emergency clinics in the Vancouver area.

Veterinary specialists of The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend you to ensure you have dressings, bandages, scissors, tweezers, and antiseptic solutions available by using a pet first aid kit. With these supplies on hand, you can be able to treat for minor injuries, until you are in the position to get professional help with professional care. 

Poisoning: Immediate Action is Crucial

In case your pet has consumed something that is toxic, you should act immediately. These are some common household objects which are harmful to pets:

• Chocolate
• Onion, garlic
• Raisins and grapes
• Certain vegetation (e.g. lilies, azaleas) Human medications

Do not wait to see whether or not your pet is affected by a toxic food or substance ingestion; call the Pet Poisoning Helpline or your veterinarian as soon as you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic. Moment is essential in such cases and within a shorter time one has better chances to recover. You can also read about eating guidance of pets in our blog

Heatstroke and Overheating

Brachycephalic pets (e.g. Bulldogs, Pugs), pets with thick hair coats, and pets that are insufficiently exercised in hot weather are at increased risk of heatstroke. These symptoms include extreme panting, sighing, the malingering, vomiting and fainting.

In case you believe that your pet has heatstroke

Remove them to a cooler position at once (preferably to air-conditioned premises).

Wet fresh water and attempt to cool them with a cool (not cold) wet cloth or cool water.

Immediately contact your vet Heatstroke may even be fatal unless it is combated in time.

You may also like to read Pet Safety Tips.

Recognizing the Signs of an Emergency

In some cases, symptoms are not apparent, yet there are some signs that something is wrong and the pet has to undergo treatment at once:

Violent vomiting or diarrhea: This may result in dehydration and may signify a life threatening illness.

Trouble breathing: Wheezing, difficulty catching your breath or coughing are also symptoms of heart or lung disease.

Extreme listlessness: Lethargy and insensitivity to move or eat signals the presence of health issues.

Extreme pain: Moaning or even limping around or other pains that are prolonged should be examined.

You should also read Pet Insurance Guidance.

When to Seek Professional Help

When basic first aid courses are provided and did not help you improve the condition of the pet or it is following completion with severe distress, it is vital to take it to a professional veterinary clinic. Find out where the location is that you go with your pet in case you do not have access to your vet.

  FAQs

1. What should I do if my pet has a seizure?

In the case of a seizure in your pet, keep away sharp objects on which they can strike themselves and be injured. Make no attempt to suppress them and put nothing of any kind in their mouths. Time the seizure and after it has run its course call your vet.

2. What should I include in a pet first aid kit?

It is expected that a pet first aid kit will include items such as gauze, bandages, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, cotton balls, \ounceggpectr压 Manchesterstorm tight kinds of gloves, thermometer, as well as prescription medications that have been prescribed by a vet. It is, also, important that you maintain a list of numbers of people that you can call at a time of emergency and your veterinary contacts.

3. How do I know if my pet is in pain?

Animals cannot tell that they are hurting, so be alert of the following signs: limping, whining, panting, refusal to walk, alteration in personality (aggression and hiding), alteration in feeding or quenching. In the event of doubts, you can always be guided by the judgment of your veterinary doctor.

4. How can I prevent pet emergencies?

Although not all emergencies are avoidable, a lot can be prevented with keeping dangerous materials out of reach of your pet grooming, keeping you pet in a safe environment, good nutrition and exercise.

5. What are the signs of poisoning in pets?

The most common indications of pet poisoning would be vomiting, dripping, exhaustion, convulsions, or breathlessness and air transfer incapableness. When in doubt that your pet has already been poisoned then you should consult your vet at once.

Conclusion

Emergency pet care is a responsibility of a good pet owner. With cooler heads and a little bit of knowledge of basic first aid techniques and when to consult a professional, you can make sure that your pet receives the appropriate treatment in face of an emergency. Have the contact information of your vet always close at hand and know where your local emergency clinic is. Referring to credible sources such as PetMD and The American Animal Hospital Association will allow preparing ahead of time as well as to treat your furry friend in the best possible way in case of emergency.