5 Steps to Take During an Animal Emergency
When your beloved animal is in an emergency, it can cause panic, stress, and anxiety for both pet and owner. If you’re unsure of what to do, it can be a dreadful experience.
However, there are ways to prevent and prepare yourself for a possible animal emergency. Take a look at some of the information below on what you can do during an emergency.
- Call Your Vet
It’s important to call your vet straight away in any pet emergency. Always keep your regular vet’s contact number stored in your phone, along with a local emergency vet.
Your vet may be able to offer advice on how to handle the emergency before taking your pet to the clinic. For example, if your pet is bleeding, it’s important to apply pressure to the wound.
- Make Sure Your Pet Is Safe
you must move your pet to a safe location while arranging veterinary care. Some pets can get spooked by an accident or feeling unwell and may attempt to run away or hide.
For example, if your pet has been run over by a car, move him out of the road and out of sunlight and keep him on a lead at all times. If you’re at home, you may want to crate your pet or move him to a small, secure room like the bathroom.
- Take Everything You Need
Before rushing out of the door, be sure to collect everything you need to take with you. Take your phone, keys and wallet- you don’t know how long you may have to wait.
It can also help your vet to take samples if your dog is unwell. If you know your dog has eaten something, you could take a sample of it with you. Similarly, if your dog or cat has diarrhea, it can help to collect a stool sample for your vet to examine.
- Be Careful With Your Pet
Your pet may already have anxieties about traveling in the car and a pet emergency will just magnify those worries. You may notice that your pet growls or attempts to bite you when you move them because they are in pain or scared.
You or your vet may need to use a muzzle for dogs unless the dog has breathing difficulties. A blanket can be wrapped around a cat to avoid scratches, bites or it running away.
- Stay Calm
The best thing you can do for your pet is to stay calm. As you drive to the vet clinic, keep your eyes focused on the road. You don’t need a car crash to add to your list of problems.
Talk to your pet reassuringly along the way and ask for assistance from the vet receptionists if you need help getting your pet inside safely.
How to Handle an Animal Emergency
It’s difficult to keep a clear head when you’re dealing with an animal emergency but your pet will thank you for it if you do. Avoiding panic will allow you to remember what to do for your pet when you’re needed the most.
Take a look at more of our articles for more tips on caring for your pets.
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