No one wants to think about their injured, poisoned, or suddenly ill pet. Unfortunately, accidents and health crises happen — all too often After your usual veterinary clinic is closed in the evening or on weekends. (Some dogs and cats seem know when the clinic is closed!) But if a medical emergency involving your furry best friend does occur, being prepared is not only the best way to deal with an emergency, but can make all the difference for your pet.
Here are five things you can do to help you deal with the unexpected.
Know where to find 24-hour emergency pet care — Before You need it.
Before you have to deal with a medical emergency for your pet, talk to your veterinarian about what to do if it happens. You’ll want to know if your veterinary clinic offers 24-hour services, has an on-call vet to handle after-hours emergencies, or refers evening and weekend emergencies to a local veterinary hospital. nearby emergency.
Keep your vet’s name, clinic name and phone number in your emergency contact sheet at home – along with the names and phone numbers of your doctor, hospital and hotline. human poison assistance – and in your phone’s contact list. If your vet refers emergency cases in the evenings and on weekends, you’ll want that hospital’s name, address, and phone number listed in the same places. Having these phone numbers as well as that of a pet poison control center listed in one place and programmed into your phone before they are needed can help reduce some of the initial anxiety you feel when dealing with your pet’s urgent health situation.
And don’t forget your car’s navigation system (if it has one). You can quickly get to the nearest emergency clinic if the hospital address is already programmed into your GPS.
Keep your pet’s medical history in an easily accessible and portable file.
If you need emergency care, you’ll want to bring your pet’s medical records and possibly their medications with you. A quick call to the clinic before you leave the house will not only alert them to your pet’s condition, but also give veterinary staff a chance to advise you on what to bring with you.
When you arrive at the emergency veterinary hospital, one of the first things you do (while your pet is being assessed and/or stabilized) is provide the staff with essential information about your dog or cat’s health, including chronic diseases, current medications and vaccines. It will be easier for you to fill out those papers under stress if you have your pet’s medical records handy.
Have a pet first aid kit. In fact, have two – keep one at home and one in your car.
You should keep a well-stocked first aid kit at home and one with only the essentials in your vehicle, especially if your dog frequently visits the parks or travels with you. A first aid kit can help you treat your pet before taking it to a veterinary clinic.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual for Pet Owners and Pet Poison Helpline, your pet first aid kit should include:
- Bandages
- Scissors
- Sterile saline eyewash
- Water, 1 gallon jug
- Medications, including styptic powder, diphenhydramine, sugar (glucose) tablets, and a small number of your pet’s regular medications
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
- Rectal thermometer and lubricating jelly
- Contact information for veterinary clinic, emergency veterinary hospital and pet poison control center
- Constraints (muzzle, Elizabethan collar, leash)
- Towel or blanket
- Treats
These items can be stored in airtight plastic containers that are kept out of your pet’s reach. At least once a year, you’ll want to review the contents of the kits, check the expiration dates of all medications, sterile bandages, and hydrogen peroxide, and restock used or expired materials as needed.
Make sure your pet’s microchip registration is up to date.
What’s worse than coming home to find that your dog or cat has escaped? That your pet escaped and was seriously injured while on the run. If a Good Samaritan brings your injured pet to a local clinic, the attending veterinarian may determine that your dog or cat is a beloved pet (not an abandoned pet) and call you if the microchip registration of your pet is up to date.
Consider taking a pet first aid course.
As a pet parent, you can provide basic medical care to your four-legged family member at the scene of an injury. However, it is important to know what to do — and what not do – until you reach the vet clinic. Because knowledge can be empowering, you might want to consider taking a pet first aid course. To find a hands-on training program in your area, first check with your veterinarian, local veterinary emergency hospital, or humane society, as they may know who offers such a course. Several organizations — the American Red Cross, Pro Pet Hero, and Pet Emergency Education — also offer online courses in pet first aid.
The very nature of emergencies is that they happen suddenly and unexpectedly. The best thing you can do in the event of a health crisis for your pet is to stay calm. Knowing basic pet first aid in advance and having your pet first aid kit ready can help you do just that.
