No matter how much you protect your pet, there may come a time when you’re faced with a medical emergency.
Pet emergencies can range from medical episodes such as difficulty breathing or seizures to accidental poisoning, cuts and fractures.
No matter what happens, the most important thing as a pet owner is that you’re calm and confident in knowing how to help your pet and alleviate its suffering as quickly as possible.
This handy guide will reveal common pet emergencies and how to respond, the first 5 steps to take, the top 3 essentials for any pet emergency, and what you can expect from emergency vet care at Direct Vet Services.
Common pet emergencies and how to respond
Here are some of the most common pet emergencies we treat at Direct Vet Services Point Cook and how you should respond to each scenario:
- Bleeding cuts or wounds:
- Wash the wound with saline or water (if your pet allows it)
- Use a sterile dressing to apply pressure over the wound to help stop the bleeding, sanitary pads make a great dressing, glad wrap can make a fabulous bandage!
- Bandage the wound to secure the dressing to stop further bleeding (don’t make it too tight)
- If the bleeding seeps through, place a second dressing over the top and try to elevate if the wound is on the limb
- Visit your local vet
- Breathing difficulties:
- Reassure your pet and keep them as calm and quiet as possible
- Get to the vet immediately
- If they stop breathing, perform CPR
- Ingesting poison:
- Remove the item from your pet’s mouth (if they’re still eating it)
- Take your pet and the item they’ve eaten to your local vet so they can administer the correct treatment (e.g. the remaining chocolate bar, snail bait box, etc.)
- Broken bones:
- If the bone is through the skin, try to place a clean non-adhesive bandage over the wound if your pet allows you
- Be cautious touching the broken limb as your pet will be in pain and may not appreciate you being near it
- Without moving the affected area (as much as possible), take your pet to your local vet.The may be best in a crate to keep them contained and comfortable, but make sure it is one they can easily be removed from, without risking being bitten.
- Seizures:
- Don’t try to restrain or stop your pet from convulsing
- Move any dangers from the area that they may hit during the seizure
- Turn off any sources of stimulation ie noises, bright lights, TV etc
- Monitor how long the seizure continues (usually less than 2 minutes)
- Once it’s stopped, keep your pet calm, quiet and warm and contact your vet
- If the seizure lasts longer than 2-3 minutes, get to the vet immediately or if they have a cluster of seizures.
- Burns:
- Cool the area by running cool water over the wound for 10 minutesIf your pet won’t sit still, use a cold compress on the area
- Once cooled, use a new cold compress on the area and visit your vet
- Heatstroke:
- Remove your pet from the heat (e.g. take them inside if they’ve been outside)
- Lower their body temperature by wetting them down (avoiding their face) while sitting in front of a fan (if possible)
- Use a cooling mat if you have one
- Encourage small sips of water
- DO NOT USE COLD WATER OR ICE, this will cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict preventing cooling, and make the problem worse.
- Get to your vet immediately as it’s a medical emergency. Depending on the maximum temperature they reach and the time they remain hot, sometimes the blood will stop clotting in a process called DIC. This is usually fatal, if it happens. So cooling calmly is essential.
The first 5 steps you need to take in a pet emergency
- Stay calm, assess the situation, and try to piece together what happened (e.g., a snake bite, eating something poisonous, or falling from a height).
- Call your usual vet if it is in normal trading hours, otherwise an emergency vet id after hours. Have all relevant numbers handy in your phone and on the fridge. You don’t want to have to go looking for them in an emergency.
- Follow basic first aid guidelines (e.g., wrapping a wound to stop bleeding and applying a cold compress for heat stroke).
- Transport your pet safely to your appropriate vet, ensuring you keep an eye on them and they’re as comfortable as possible (drive safely!).
- Let your vet or emergency vet treat your pet, then ask questions and follow up with your vet when needed after the urgent stuff is done.
The top 3 essentials for every pet emergency
Pet emergencies happen when you least expect them. Being prepared is the key to helping your pet through this stressful time. Here are the top 3 essentials you need for every pet emergency.
A fully stocked pet first aid kit
Every pet owner should have a pet first aid kit that includes these essential items:
- Sterile absorbent gauze pads
- Sterile bandages
- Adhesive tape (to secure the bandages)
- Blunt-end scissors (to cut the bandages, tape or pet hair)
- Blunt-end tweezers for removing ticks, dirt or foreign objects from wounds
- Digital medical thermometer (rectal for pets)
- Saline solution for flushing ears, eyes and wounds
- Pet-friendly disinfectant (recommended by your vet)
- Protective gloves
- Small flashlight (to see wounds better)
- Plastic bag (to gather/carry any poisons)
- Phone number and contact for your local vet (or closest emergency vet for AH)
A pet natural disaster action plan
In the case of a natural disaster, here’s what to do:
- Determine if your pets will evacuate with you (preferred) or if they will be left, keep them in a secured area with food and water to last several days
- Give a trusted neighbour or friend your key so they can rescue your pet if you’re not home
- Have the numbers of local animal shelters if they’ll need emergency accommodation that you can’t provide
- Have a supply of water and food that will last several days (to take with you)
- Ensure their microchip or council registration details are up-to-date with your correct contact details
- Take your pet’s vaccination certificate (that should always be kept current) with you in case you need to use a boarding kennel.
- Take your pet’s first aid kit with you
Know when to seek veterinary care
Here are some of the top conditions that require emergency vet care:
- Major injuries like a fracture or open, bleeding wounds (especially if you can’t control the flow of blood)
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- Loss of consciousness
- Extreme lethargy
- Severe, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
- Difficulty going to the toilet
- Swollen abdomen
- Unexpected seizures (prolonged >5 mins or clustered)
Don’t wait for a pet emergency – take action today!
Emergencies always happen when you least expect them. That’s why having a pet emergency plan is the best way to feel prepared to help your beloved fur baby should anything happen to them.
At Direct Vet Services, we’re here to guide you through the unexpected and to provide you and your pet with exceptional care when you need it the most.
Our professional team provides peace of mind for pet owners by offering the following:
- Advice on how best to deal with your emergency, during business hours and has a close relationship with local emergency clinics.
- We may suggest coming in for a triage, but in some instances may recommend you head straight to emergency.
- Comprehensive diagnostic tools to assess (and treat) your pet’s condition accurately and quickly
- Apporpriate treatments from surgery to pain management to handle a range of emergencies
- Compassionate support for pet owners to help keep you calm and well-informed about what is happening to your beloved pet
If you’d like to learn more about being prepared for pet emergencies or need our support in an urgent situation, contact Direct Vet Services in Point Cook now. Together, we’ll give your pets the care and attention they deserve.