You hope it will never happen, but one day you may have to give emergency care to an injured pet and it is vital you know how to do it. Providing emergency care to your pet can be a stressful situation, so the most important step is to stay calm. If you are relaxed, your pet is less likely to become frightened or agitated. Even the most placid of animals can become dangerous when in pain.
Be prepared
In the event of an emergency, you will need tools to help you care for and treat your injured pet. You can buy a pet first aid kit from most pet stores or you can make your own. It is also important to keep your veterinarian’s telephone number handy. Get their out of office hours and emergency contact details as well, in case you need them in the middle of the night, on a weekend, or during a holiday. If you have a cat or dog, invest in a kennel or carrier so that you can restrict their movement when necessary. Pet kennels usually fit into the back of vehicles to make it safer to transport the animal.
Know the signs
You should be able to recognize when your pet is injured or unwell and get professional assistance as soon as possible. When you contact your vet, they will want to know how critical your pet is. While you may think they are in a life-threatening situation, your pet might actually have only a minor injury and it is important to recognize the difference.
Life-threatening situations include unconsciousness, collapse, severe bleeding, severe burns, poisoning, and snake bites.
Immediate attention situations include fractures, dislocations, bleeding, and large, open wounds.
Minor, non-emergency situations include insect stings, minor wounds, minor burns, abscesses, and limping.
Learn appropriate first aid
Appropriate treatment depends on the injury, but generally you should follow the mnemonic “DABC”, which stands for “Danger, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.” Once you establish that your pet is not in immediate danger, check for external injuries. Remember that wounds are not always visible, so be gentle when examining your pet.
If you can, cut away any hair from open wounds. Dried blood will make it difficult to examine wounds properly, but do not pick at any scabs as you may cause an infection or profuse bleeding.
Clean using a salt-water solution (one tablespoon of salt to one liter of lukewarm water) and gauze pad. Salt water will help to fight any bacteria, reducing the risk of infection. Place a clean gauze pad on the wound, and use a bandage to keep the gauze in place. Do not use dry cotton wool as it can stick to the injured area. Zinc oxide or porous tape is best to keep the bandage in place, as safety pins can be dangerous.
For fractures, immobilize the wounded limb. Place cotton wool on fractured limbs before placing splints and bandages. If the spine may be fractured, do not move the animal as this will cause more injury.
If your pet starts to have a seizure, move everything out of the way so they cannot harm themselves. Do not touch the animal as they have no control over their muscles and may bite. Once the seizure has stopped, make note of how long it lasted and how long it takes for the animal to recover. Keep the animal calm and relaxed. You cannot provide treatment until the seizure ends.
Continue care during recovery
Always follow advice given by the vet for your pet’s recovery, but tender, loving care is one of the best treatments you can offer. Keep your pet’s bedding clean and dry at all times. It is easier for an injured animal if you place fresh water and food near where they sleep, to restrict excessive movement.
An emergency can be a daunting situation, but as long as you remain calm and think logically about what you are doing, you can reassure your pet that they are not going to come to any additional harm. As much as you want to treat your pet, it is also vital that you keep yourself safe. If you put yourself in danger, you are not going to be any use to your pet.
