When it comes to our pets, we love them and would do anything for them. But often we don’t know what to do for them if an emergency situation arises. Taking your pet to an after hours emergency clinic is at the top of the list, but there are things you can do even before you get to the vet that could save your pet’s life.
- Perform CPR
If your pet stops breathing due to a piece of food getting lodged in their throat, emergency CPR is needed. If you wait until you get to the vet, it could be too late. Perform CPR on your pet until they’re breathing again and then head to your local veterinarian to ensure nothing else is still lodged in there, and there is no other food somewhere it shouldn’t belong. - Stop the Bleeding
If something happens and your pet gets cut or injured and begins to bleed, the number one goal is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Wrap the wound and apply pressure to help slow and eventually stop the wound from bleeding. Once the wrap is applied and pressure is being administered, head to the local pet emergency hospital for more professional care. - Dampen the Burn
If your pet’s paws get burned in any way, run their paw under cold water and cover it to avoid them licking or scratching the area. Once that has been done, you can head to your local veterinarian for a full evaluation of the burn and what they’ll need to do to care for your pet. Depending on the severity, it could be anything from a simple salve to a minor surgery. - Cool Them Down Slowly
If you think there’s a chance your pet may be overheated, your first reaction may be to get them as cold as possible. But going from one extreme to another too quickly can be just as harmful. Have your pet drink some water and work to cool them off slowly. Have the a/c on high in the car but not necessarily blowing straight on them. Try to help them cool off on your way to the vet, but be sure to visit the emergency clinic even if your pet seems fine. Internal damage can be done that you won’t see when a pet overheats, so it’s important not to skip going to the emergency clinic.
Each of these scenarios involves treating the emergency, but there are simpler things we can do to avoid some emergencies altogether. For instance, buying smaller pet food or pet treats so food is less likely to get stuck in their throat. When taking your pet outside or for a walk, check the pavement before going anywhere. If it’s hot to the touch, it’s too hot for them to walk on. You can choose to walk on the grass (if at a park or area similar) or purchase protective shoes for their feet.
Other ways to avoid emergencies is to never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. There are too many things that could go wrong, the main one being overheating. Be careful of the heat during the summer, and on the flip side, be careful of the cold in the winter. What is too hot for you or too cold for you holds true for your pet.
Always remember, in any emergency, it’s better to visit your local pet clinic just in case than to not visit and find out your pet needed to go. For those in the Greensboro area, AHVEC is open 24/7 365 days a year for any emergency your pet may face. We’re here for you and your pet when you both need us most.