Your pet’s importance as a member of your family should be recognized by your being prepared for their becoming ill or getting injured. By being prepared you can increase the chances of being able to help your pet before getting to the vet if a sudden emergency occurs. As well as being informed and educated on what to do in the event of a pet emergency, it’s wise to ensure that you keep up to date with your pet insurance payments – just in case.
Choking.
By knowing the signs of choking you can be prepared to deal with this common problem.The cause of choking is some sort of obstruction in the pet’s mouth. The curiosity that cats and dogs display can easily result in things getting stuck in their mouths. There are all kinds of things they will try to swallow including bones, balls and wood.
Choking can result not only from a rope or collar being too tight but also from a swollen throat caused by an allergic reaction to something. Evidence of choking will include gagging, difficulty in breathing or swallowing or pawing at their face. The first thing to do is to remove any thing constricting their neck like a collar.
Look inside the animal’s mouth and remove any foreign object you see. You can hang a small pet upside down if this doesn’t work. With larger animals you can keep the head down by raising the rear legs. Sometimes a sharp hit with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades can work, but by no means should you try this unless you know what you are doing. Even if you have successfully removed the item, you should have your pet examined by your vet. By doing this you can eliminate the possibility of any internal injury.
Bleeding.
It’s vital that you apply and maintain pressure over the site of the bleeding injury. The blood flow can be reduced or stopped by putting a clean towel on the wound and applying gentle pressure. The bleeding can also be reduced by elevating the area. Once the area is wrapped up in a towel, the towel should be secured with tape. Immediately after this you must seek the help of a vet.
Pet Collapses.
The first thing to do is to remain calm. Observe your pet carefully and take them immediately to the vet. You want to try to remember what – if anything – happened before the collapse, how long it lasted and how your pet acted afterwards. By doing these things the vet will be in a better position to determine the cause of the collapse.
If your dog is unconscious, check for a heartbeat on the left side of the chest. Never forget the importance of handling your pet very cautiously. Aggression, confusion, and disorientation are all possible. Because your pet is afraid or in pain it could unintentionally bite or scratch you. Just make sure you seek medical assistance for your pet as soon as possible.
Fractures.
Fractures or broken bones are usually the result of some sort of trauma. They can be caused by a fall or being hit by a car. If you have the slightest suspicion that your pet might have a broken or fractured bone, keep them quiet and calm. Use a clean cloth to cover any open wound you might see.
You have to take precautions when handling the injured pet because they might bite, scratch or snap at you because of the intense pain they feel. Transport your pet to the vet in a box or crate and do so as soon as possible. You might easily cause additional injury to your pet by attempting to fix the fracture yourself, so don’t try.
Limping or Lameness.
There is no single cause of limping. These causes could be anything from something severe like a fractured bone to a minor sprain. Check first for a thorn or splinter in the paw as this is a common cause of limping. You should keep your pet quiet and indoors if its limping is intermittent.
If the lameness lasts less than 24 hours, there’s no need to visit the vet. You must always consult with the vet before you give your pet any medication. The kinds of medicines that can be bought over the counter for human use can be very dangerous for pets.
These are just a few of the common pet health emergencies that can occur. Unfortunately there are many situations such as these where you may need to check the terms of your pet insurance policy carefully. The important thing to remember is to stay calm and not to panic. A calm and rational consideration of the situation will enable the correct treatment to be provided. If you have any doubt about what to do, always call your vet to seek medical help for your companion.