First Aid

One of your very first steps after acquiring a pet should be to identify the nearest sources of emergency care for your pet during both the day and night. Knowing where to turn for help ahead of time will greatly reduce your stress if your pet does have an emergency. Be sure to post phone numbers for these facilities and inform all family members and pet-sitters. You might even want to let your neighbors know these numbers if you are away at work for extended periods.

Because our pets can’t talk to us, it can be difficult to determine if some situations are truly emergencies. Trust your instincts and “if in doubt, check it out” with a veterinarian. The following is a list of common emergencies seen at our hospital:

Ten Common Situations which Require Emergency Care

1. Difficulty breathing
2. Seizuring
3. Bleeding
4. Hit by car
5. Painful eye
6. Temperature above 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit
7. Ingestion of any possibly toxic substance
8. Severe lameness in any limb
9. Inability to pass urine
10. Repeated vomiting or diarrhea

Because of the wide variety of medical problems that pets may develop, and their inability to provide a medical history, your veterinarian may have a challenging task in determining a diagnosis and the best treatment plan for your pet. Listed below are several important steps you can take to assist in this process and improve your pet’s chances of recovery.

Ten Steps to Assist your Veterinarian in an Emergency

1. Keep a file with your pet’s records and bring it with you.
2. Be a good observer; know when your pet last ate, drank, urinated or defecated.
3. Bring a sample of any abnormal stool, vomit, or urine.
4. If seizures or fainting occur, time the length of these episodes.
5. Control bleeding with firm, direct pressure on the way to the veterinarian.
6. Start cooling overheated pets by applying cold water on the way to the veterinarian.
7. Bring containers of any possible ingested toxins to the veterinarian.
8. Check with a veterinarian before giving any home remedies or human medications.
9. Be aware that a pet who is in pain may bite even its owner.
10. Above all, remember to keep your head. You may need to make important decisions regarding your pet’s care.

Pet emergencies can be frightening but, by taking the above steps, you will be better prepared to assist in your pet’s recovery.