Pets are naturally curious and energetic animals, which means they have the potential to cause a lot of mischief both inside and outside the home. As a pet owner, you likely pray that you’ll never have to deal with an emergency, but it’s important to be ready just in case.
What Are The Initial Things To Do?
While veterinary assistance will be required for most crises, those close will still need to be aware of how to stabilize the animal, alleviate any discomfort it may be experiencing, and move it to a secure location where it can receive assistance.
Priority Safety
In any emergency, it’s important to figure out how safe you and the pet are at that moment and take away any chances of getting hurt more. If the animal is on the road, get it off immediately to keep it from getting hurt. In these cases, you should never put yourself in danger to help an animal because if you get hurt, you won’t be able to help the animal.
Recovery Position
If your pet is still unconscious but breathing, lay it on its side with its head and neck slightly stretched out. Fold a blanket or some towels and put them under the shoulder, not the neck, so the chest is higher than the head. This keeps fluids from getting into the lungs from the mouth. Keep the animal warm with blankets and get it to pet orthopedic treatment in Plains immediately.
Car Accidents
Move the animal to the side of the road, even if you must drag it there to help it. If the animal isn’t awake, you can tell if it’s breathing by watching its chest rise and fall or feeling for air coming out of its nose. Putting a tissue in front of your nose might help you see this better. Make sure the airway is open. If the animal isn’t breathing but is still alive, do CPR or nose-to-mouth resuscitation.
However, you should never do CPR if you are not trained to perform such procedure. You might cause further damage than help your pet. It’s always best to call emergency services for cats and dogs first for expert instructions.
Bleeding and Wounds
Wounds can be cuts, punctures, or scrapes, but how to treat them is the same as with people. For injuries to limbs:
- Put pressure on the skin on either side of the wound with your fingers while putting sterile gauze on top and then a big pad of cotton wool. Maintain that little pressure to stop the bleeding.
- Put on a firm bandage to keep it in place, but if the wound keeps bleeding, add another layer of cotton wool without removing the first one. Continue to apply pressure as you put the new layer of cotton.
- Use a blanket as a stretcher to get the animal to the vet as soon as possible while keeping it as still and warm as possible.
Trauma
Animals in shock can be weak, have pale gums, breathe quickly and shallowly, have cold limbs, and even shake. An accident, an infection, or a severe illness can cause shock. Stop bleeding before putting the animal on a blanket and ensuring it is comfortable. Keep the animal warm and quiet, and continue to calm it by whispering and touching it softly. Don’t give the animal anything to eat or drink, and call the vet immediately to find out how to get the pet to the office.
Airway Obstruction
Animals suffocate when something blocks their windpipe and make it impossible for them to breathe. Some signs are pawing at the mouth, trouble breathing, tongue and gums that look “blue,” and choking sounds. Call a facility like Northeast Veterinary Hospital immediately for advice if you can’t get the foreign object out or if it would be dangerous to try.
Conclusion
During emergencies like these, it’s best to call for professional help, especially if you don’t know what to do because you are dealing with life. But it would greatly help your pet if you knew what to do in these unexpected situations. These simple tips can help save your pet’s life.. Being knowledgeable not only helps pets but humans as well, from the basic life support itself that is innate to us humans.