Signs Your Pet Needs Emergency Care
Our pets can’t verbally tell us when something’s amiss. This is why knowing the signs of an emergency is especially important for pet owners. If your pet shows any of the following warnings, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Signs your pet needs emergency care include:
- Labored breathing
- Pale gums
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting blood or vomiting more than once per day
- Collapse, paralysis or sudden inability to walk or stand
- Seizures
- Change in Body Temperature- over 103 degrees F or under 98 degrees F
- Weak or rapid pulse
- Known toxin ingestion
- Trauma resulting in pain or broken bones
- Heatstroke
Tips to Stabilize Your Pet for Transport
Getting help for your pet in a stressful time can be taxing. It’s important to do your best to stay calm and collected while you seek out this vet care in an emergency situation. Remember, pain and fear will make even the gentlest pet unpredictable. This is why a muzzle is an essential part of a Pet First Aid Kit. Dogs can be muzzled using basket muzzles (which can be purchased at any pet store or online), towels, stockings or gauze rolls. Cats and other small animals can be wrapped in a towel for restraint. Of course, if your pet is vomiting, do not use a muzzle as this restricts the ability of your pet to open its mouth.
While transporting a distressed or injured pet, keep it confined to reduce the risk of additional injury. Pet carriers work well, or you can use a box or other container with holes in it for air flow. For larger dogs, you can create a makeshift stretcher from a blanket.
If your pet is bleeding, try to elevate the area and apply pressure to the wound.
If your pet requires CPR, put it on its side, hold its mouth closed, and blow into his/her nostrils once every three seconds. Make sure no air escapes either your mouth or the pet’s nose. If your pet has no heartbeat, give three quick compressions to the chest for every breath until your pet resumes breathing on his/her own.
Once in the car, phone ahead to the hospital giving the staff as much information as possible, and an approximate arrival time. This will ideally help them prepare to greet you, and be ready to start providing help to your pet as quickly as possible. Most importantly, try your best to stay calm and drive safely!
If you are in the Kennett Square area and notice any of these signs your pet needs emergency care, our team is here to help.
