For many people, pets are like family. Unfortunately, cats and dogs can experience medical emergencies and health complications that compromise their lives, health, and safety. As a pet owner, you must know what to do in a pet emergency to ensure your beloved companion receives the veterinary care they need.Â
At Penny Paws, we regularly address animal emergencies. Here, we explain what pet owners should know about emergencies regarding their animals, including when to seek immediate care.
What Constitutes a Veterinary Emergency?
Unlike a person, your cat or dog won’t be able to tell you if they’re feeling sick, hurt, or anxious. That’s why you must get in the habit of observing your animal. You want to look for changes in their behavior to help determine whether they require emergency veterinary care.
The more watchful and proactive you are about your pet’s health, the more likely you are to get them to the vet in time to catch problems early.Â
No one expects pet emergencies to arise, but they can at any time. It’s not uncommon for animals, especially cats, to hide signs of illness or injury. Knowing what to do in a pet emergency means you can get your animal the care they need when they need it most.
Types of Pet Emergencies That Warrant Immediate Veterinary Care
Before learning what to do in a pet emergency, consider the situations that warrant emergency veterinary care.
Severe Bleeding
Bleeds are among the top pet emergencies. However, unlike treating bleeds in people, the pet first-aid basics require a trip to the vet if bleeding lasts more than five minutes.
The animal’s fur could be hiding a more severe wound that may require stitches for healing and recovery. The pet could also be experiencing internal bleeding, which a pet owner wouldn’t detect.Â
Choking
Animals can choke if they eat too quickly or swallow something too big for their throats. What is the proper choking pet response?Â
Don’t try to clear their airway. Instead, learn animal CPR, and get your pet to the emergency veterinarian for a checkup, even if they start breathing again. The checkup ensures that the animal doesn’t have internal damage from the choking or from any medical conditions that may have caused it.Â
Poison Ingestion
Cats and dogs are unable to eat many of the foods people enjoy, including garlic and grapes. Pest poisons, multivitamins, chocolate, and antifreeze are common animal toxins found in many people’s homes or garages.
While learning what to do in a pet emergency, also learn about the items around your house that may be toxic to your pet. Keep them out of reach, and know which poisoning safety steps to follow. Some poisons may require you to induce vomiting in your pet, but others may require different measures.
Seizures
Never “wait and see” if your pet has a seizure. Your pet would need immediate veterinary care for seizures, staggering after a fall, or unconsciousness, as these problems may indicate a neurological condition. An underlying condition requires a professional diagnosis and treatment.Â
Heat Stroke
Sometimes, high temperatures can be too much for a pet. If your animal appears to have any of these symptoms, they may be suffering from heat stroke and would need immediate veterinary care:
- Bloody diarrhea or vomiting
- Excessive panting
- Staggering movement or seizures
- Dark or bright red gums
- Tongue dryness
Refusing Water
Dogs and cats usually visit their water bowls several times a day. If your pet has access to clean water but refuses to drink for 24 hours or longer, it’s time to visit a veterinarian. Pets will drink from dirty water dishes, so complete refusal to drink may indicate something more serious.Â
What To Remember During a Pet Emergency
The first step in knowing what to do in a pet emergency is to remain calm. Although your first instinct may be to panic, you must remember that your pet is relying on you. Stay prepared and know what to do in different situations to help your cat or dog.Â
For instance, if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, take them to a shaded or air-conditioned area to reduce or stabilize their body temperature. Further cool them with lukewarm water. Your pet should experience some improvement with these cooling efforts after a few minutes but will need vet care if they’re still experiencing symptoms after 15 minutes.
For insect bites that may cause pain or allergic reactions, use tweezers to remove any stingers. A cold compress will reduce inflammation and help with pain.
To treat a bleed, use a clean cloth or towel to apply firm pressure on the wound. You may use gauze or a bandage to wrap the injury.Â
Let’s say your pet ate something toxic. In that case, you want to identify the item, document its ingredients to show the vet, and track your pet’s behavior. Depending on what they ate, you may need to call the pet poison helpline or induce vomiting before taking your pet to the vet.
What To Have in a Pet First Aid Kit
You need access to pet first-aid basics in case of emergencies. The kit should contain the following:
- Digital thermometer
- Antibiotic ointment for cuts
- Gauze pads and bandage rolls
- Adhesive tape to secure bandages
- Hydrocortisone cream for skin irritation
- Tweezers for removing ticks and splinters
- Disposable rubber gloves to prevent infection and contamination
- Cotton balls and swabs for applying ointments and cleaning wounds
- Medical records for your pet, along with essential phone numbers and microchip information
Find Emergency Veterinary Care for Your Beloved Animal at Penny Paws
Knowing what to do in a pet emergency can make the difference in the life, health, and happiness of your pet. Whether you need emergency dog care or help for a feline companion, you can get the help you need at Penny Paws, a leading veterinary hospital with several locations throughout Texas.Â
Our veterinary care specialists offer several services at our facilities and mobile care clinic, including bleeding wound control, spay and neuter surgery, microchips, general surgery, and pet vaccinations. To request an appointment at a Penny Paws location, call (817) 993-1234.