The Action To Take If Your Pet Is Injured
Your pet’s importance as a member of your family should be recognized by your being prepared for their becoming ill or getting injured. By being prepared you can increase the chances of being able to help your pet before getting to the vet if a sudden emergency occurs. As well as being informed and educated on what to do in the event of a pet emergency, it’s wise to ensure that you keep up to date with your pet insurance payments - just in case.
Choking.
Get to know the signs of this common problem and you’ll be prepared for it when it happens.The cause of choking is some sort of obstruction in the pet’s mouth. The curiosity that cats and dogs display can easily result in things getting stuck in their mouths. There are all kinds of things they will try to swallow including bones, balls and wood.
An over-tight collar or rope, or an allergic reaction to something causing the throat to swell can also cause choking. Evidence of choking will include gagging, difficulty in breathing or swallowing or pawing at their face. Anything that constricts the neck, a collar perhaps, should be removed immediately.
Look for and remove any foreign object in the animal’s mouth. If you can’t see any obstruction, a small pet can be suspended with its head pointing down. With larger animals you can keep the head down by raising the rear legs. Sometimes a sharp hit with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades can work, but by no means should you try this unless you know what you are doing. You should take your pet to the vet even if you have managed to remove the blockage. That way you can make sure there aren’t any internal injuries.
Bleeding.
The most important thing to remember is to put pressure upon the area that your pet is bleeding from. The blood flow can be reduced or stopped by putting a clean towel on the wound and applying gentle pressure. Blood loss can be lessened by raising the area. You should wrap the area in a towel and secure it in place with tape. Immediately after this you must seek the help of a vet.
Pet Collapses.
Whatever you do, don’t panic. Make sure you have carefully observed your pet before you take them to the vet. You need to remember the course of events that led to the collapse, its duration, and its effects upon your pet. The reason why your pet collapsed will be more easily understood by the vet if you have done these things.
If your dog is no longer conscious, try to detect a heartbeat on the left side of the chest. Caution has to be exercised when handling your pet. They may be confused, aggressive or disoriented. They may strike out or bite you unintentionally because of fear or pain. Just make sure you seek medical assistance for your pet as soon as possible.
Fractures.
A significant injury is usually the cause of broken or fractured bones. These can be the result of a heavy fall or of being struck by a vehicle. If you think your pet may have a broken or fractured bone, be sure to restrict activity and try to keep them quiet and calm. If there is an open wound, cover it with a clean cloth.
You have to take precautions when handling the injured pet because they might bite, scratch or snap at you because of the intense pain they feel. Put your pet into a box or crate and go to the vet immediately. You might easily cause additional injury to your pet by attempting to fix the fracture yourself, so don’t try.
Limping or Lameness.
There are many different types of causes for your pet to be limping. A broken bone or a slight sprain could be amongst these causes. Check first for a thorn or splinter in the paw as this is a common cause of limping. If your pet seems to be limping intermittently, keep them confined and limit their activity.
If the lameness lasts less than 24 hours, there’s no need to visit the vet. Only after consulting the vet should you ever administer any medication to your pet. There is considerable danger to pets in administering over the counter medications made for humans.
Of the many pet health emergencies that you might encounter these are just a few of the most common. Unfortunately there are many situations such as these where you may need to check the terms of your pet insurance policy carefully. Never forget the importance of keeping calm. A calm and rational consideration of the situation will enable the correct treatment to be provided. If you have any doubt about what to do, always call your vet to seek medical help for your companion.
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Filed under: Pets