Pets are wonderful companions and provide us with unconditional love so it can be alarming when something goes wrong. They cannot voice out any aches and pains they might be experiencing so it is very difficult for pet owners to determine if they need immediate attention.
Here’s How You Can Tell If Your Pet Needs Help
No matter how well taken care of your pet is, medical emergencies are bound to happen anytime of the day (or night). Vets everywhere know that it can be a stressful time in a fur parent’s life when they encounter their pet in pain.
However, not all pets react the same way, and there are some symptoms that can be easily ignored or brushed aside if you’re not aware of it.
Signs You Need To Watch Out For
- Vomiting
- Blood in diarrhea
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Unconsciousness
- Swollen, bloated abdomen
- inability to walk or move; lameness
- Inability to deliver puppies or kittens
- Loss of balance
- Loss of appetite
- Pet in obvious pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Choking
- Coughing
- Dilated pupils
- Seizures
- Open wounds, broken bones
- inability to urinate or defacate
- Ingestion of poisonous substances
- Ingestion of foreign objects
What To Do
Before anything else, always remember that first aid is never intended to replace the services and help of a medical professional such as an emergency veterinarian service. These tips are meant to help your pet cope with the emergency situation before bringing them to a licensed vet.
Bleeding
Muzzle your pet before doing anything. They are in pain and have no control over who or what they bite when they react. Protect yourself first.
Get a piece of clean gauze and place it on top of the wound. Gently apply pressure until the bleeding clots. This will take several minutes. Wounds that are severely bleeding will need a tourniquet of gauze and an elastic band to keep it in place. Bring your pet to the vet immediately.
Fractures or broken bones
Again, place a muzzle first. When transporting your pet to the vet, it is best to let them rest on a stretcher so as not to further injure their fracture or broken bone.
Choking
Be aware that your pet may bite you out of panic and they have no control over this. Look for objects stuck in their mouth and slowly remove it. Be careful not to push it in further. If you’re not comfortable with putting your fingers or hand in their mouth, bring them to a vet as soon as possible as time might be running out.
What You Should Know in Advance
Always be prepared for pet emergencies. We cannot stress this enough as anything can happen at any given time. Here are some things that you know as a responsible pet owner:
- Your vet’s phone number
- The phone number of the closest vet clinic near you
- The number of the animal poison center
- A first aid kit
- Knowledge on pet CPR
- Knowledge on how to stop bleeding
- A muzzle and how to use it properly on your pet
Be Prepared for Any Emergency
As a responsible pet owner, you should know by now that taking care of a dog or cat requires financial obligations especially when an emergency arises. Set aside a regular amount every month for any sickness, disease, or accident your pet may encounter in the future. Remember that these four-legged creatures rely on you 90% of the time and it is only expected that you give them the lov