3 Things To Do In A Pet Emergency

3 Things To Do In A Pet Emergency.

by Reza Phi

Typically, caring for a pet can be exciting because it can make you a happier person. The more you spend time with them, the more they bring meaning and purpose to your life. 

However, despite the excitement, being a pet parent can also be challenging because you need to ensure they receive the proper care and treatment from the get-go. This is especially true if you’re having a pet emergency. 

Keep reading this article so you won’t be rattled in case of a pet emergency. 

What Is A Pet Emergency?

Realistically speaking, knowing whether a certain situation is an emergency can be quite difficult. That’s probably because of the fact that all animals have different ways of reacting to injuries and illnesses. In other words, an emergency situation for dogs may not be the same for cats and other animals. 

Still, to help you determine whether your pet needs medical help, the following are a wide range of problems that can potentially constitute a pet emergency: 

• Allergic reactions
• Bite wounds
• Bleeding 
• Birthing issues
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Eye problems
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Major trauma
• Struggling to urinate
• Poisoning

What Should You Do During A Pet Emergency?

Now that you’re familiar with some pet emergency situations, it’s time to know what steps to take if you’re facing this kind of situation. Here’s what you should do during a pet emergency:

Call An Emergency Animal Hospital

When you notice there’s something wrong with your pet that can’t wait until your regular vet becomes available, then it’s best to call an emergency animal hospital right away and inform them that you’re coming. During the call, explain to a trained professional what happened and take note of the instructions and advice they’ll give you. Doing so helps you know what to do while you’re driving your pet to the hospital. 

Thus, if you’re living in Garden City, Long Island or other nearby cities, be sure to contact a Garden City, Long Island animal hospital so you’ll be able to handle a pet emergency more effectively.  Remember, the earlier you call, the better they can prepare for your pet’s arrival. 

Don’t Panic

Seeing your pet injured or sick in the middle of the night can be a frustrating experience. But instead of worrying too much about what happened, it’s best if you keep calm and try not to panic. That way, you can better assess the situation and you’ll be able to clear your mind as to the next steps you should take during a pet emergency.

Also, while emergencies are stressful to pet parents like you, it’s important that you remain calm despite what’s happening. After all, your pet will be pacified by your ability to stay calm while bringing them to the hospital.

Follow Some First-Aid Procedures Depending On The Kind Of Emergency

Again, pet emergencies are different from one another. As such, they also require different first-aid procedures until you bring your pet to an animal hospital. 

To better handle pet emergencies, the following are the things to consider from the get-go:

• Burns: When your pet has burns, it can be a good idea to place cold bottled water on the burn right away. 

• A foreign object stuck in the skin: When your pet’s skin has been stuck with a foreign object, don’t remove it by yourself. Instead, keep it safely in place until you arrive at the hospital. In case there’s a bleeding wound, be sure to cover it with bandages to avoid infection.

• Seizure: When your pet is having a seizure, be sure to get rid of any objects around it. Take note of every seizure’s duration so you can relay that information once you get to the hospital.

• Injuries: When your pet is injured due to the potential hazards in your home, it’s best to ask somebody to help you. For example, if you’re caring for a little animal, you should place them in a carrier or a container, like a strong cardboard box. If you have a large pet, make use of a stretcher. But, before that, carefully place it on a blanket to help prevent biting or scratching from your pet. Also, with the use of a blanket, you can help stabilize the spine and neck of your injured pet. 

The Bottom Line

Indeed, taking care of a pet can be a bit demanding but dealing with a pet emergency can be more traumatic. Unless you’re a vet yourself, you need someone else’s help to handle an emergency in the most effective way. Luckily, by keeping these things in mind, you’ll have an idea of how to navigate these stressful situations without worries. 

Remember, the more you know what to do should a pet crisis arise, the more you can increase the likelihood that you’ll do the right thing to significantly improve the condition of your pet.