Basic knowledge of veterinary medicine can help you help your pet in an emergency. If you have children, odds are you know the basics for broken bones, cuts and bruises, swallowing objects, etc. And if you are a pet owner, you know how similar pets are to children. So you understand why it is important to know the basics of pet first aid, too.
As highlighted on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) website, there are a variety of situations that can require pet first aid.
- Your pet drinks or eats something poisonous. As a general rule of thumb, anything that is harmful for humans is also harmful for pets. This includes everything from toilet bowl cleaner to detergent pods to antifreeze and pesticides. If your pet has exposure to chemicals of any kind, always check the label and follow what it says for accidental contact or ingestion and then contact your vet immediately. But pets are also susceptible to harm by some people food, as well. Make sure you know what is safe.
- Our pets are active and this can sometimes mean they can do things that result in wounds. If your pet is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean gauze pad for several minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop or is severe take your pet to your vet or an emergency veterinary medicine care facility.
- If your pet is having trouble breathing or is pawing at his mouth relentlessly, your pet may be choking. If you can’t spot and remove an object in the mouth, take your pet to the vet right away. To learn more, give our team a call today. We’ll walk you through how to look for and remove a foreign object in the mouth and apply the animal version of the Heimlich. Know what you need to do before you need it.
- As summer approaches, heatstroke can occur very quickly with pets. If you suspect your pet is having heat stroke or is overheated, apply a cool, wet towel around its neck and head. You can also wet down all four pads. Re-wet every few minutes and call us right away. Do not hose your pet down or put it in the bath tub.
If you have any concerns for your pet needing first aid or emergency services, contact our experienced team of veterinary medicine professionals today. When dealing with a health crisis for your pet, every minute matters.