Just like humans, animals suffer from conditions requiring emergency vet attention, which can happen anytime – day or night, and even on holidays. Sometimes, this isn’t easy to know, especially if it’s your first time having a pet. While some indications like bleeding or collapse alert owners to take their pets into an emergency animal hospital immediately, some life-threatening conditions don’t show such signs.
It would be impossible to mention all of the signs and conditions because the list would be extensive. However, below is a list of the most common indicators your pets need to visit a veterinarian immediately. Additionally, keep in mind that even if these signs don’t manifest if your pets behave strangely, it’s always best to contact the experts like Falls Road Animal Hospital because they know better. They offer a wide range of vet services, including pet grooming. Visit their website to learn more about them and why you should trust them.
Indications your Pets Need Emergency Care
- Vomiting or diarrhea with blood
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Obvious pain
- Loss of balance
- Inability to walk
- Dilated pupils
- Bloated, swollen, or painful abdomen
- Seizures
- Inflammation or injury to the eye
- Unconsciousness
- Pregnant females unable to deliver
- Sudden staggering or stumbling and blindness
- Difficulty breathing and extreme choking or coughing
- Inability to defecate or urinate
- Ingestion of poisonous foods, plants, substances, or bones
- Severe injury (car accidents, falls, broken bones, open wounds)
Basic First Aid for Pets
While First Aid is not intended to replace vet care, there are times when you need to stabilize your pets while on your way to an emergency animal hospital. Also, these are helpful during some emergency situations, such as poisoning or road accidents. That is why as a pet owner, you need to keep a First Aid kit in your home or car to help you manage risky situations like these.
Your kit should include:
- Swabs
- Scissors
- Alcohol wipes
- Gloves and tweezers
- Gauze pads and bandages
- Medical tape
- Saline eye solution
- Styptic powder, which is suitable for nail breaks
- Washcloths/towels
- Ice pack
1. Seizures
Remove all objects that may hurt your pets. Avoid touching or controlling them because these may prolong seizures, and do not put anything in their mouth. After the seizure is over, they could become disoriented for a while up to 2 hours and very thirsty, so ensure to prepare accessible drinking water. If possible, pay attention to when the seizure began and ended since this can help with the vet’s diagnosis.
2. Bleeding
Whatever the reason is, the goal of First Aid is to control blood loss. Even if you can’t do much about internal bleeding, managing external bleeding helps a lot. To begin with, muzzle your pet. Put a clean gauze pad over the injured area while applying pressure with your hands until blood clot starts, usually after a few minutes. In case of leg bleeding, it requires a gauze tourniquet and an elastic band to secure it. Essentially, take your pet to the vet immediately.
3. Fractures
Similar to bleeding, you have to muzzle your pet first. Lay them on a level surface, which can also function as a stretcher for transporting them to an animal hospital or clinic. Secure your pet to the stretcher, avoiding the wounded area. Don’t try to splint the limb and move it as little as you can. Transfer them quickly and comfortably as possible.
4. Choking
In case of choking, be careful because your pet may bite out of panic. Search for an item in their mouth and try eliminating it as carefully as possible, avoiding pushing it further into the throat. If you think this is difficult to do, don’t waste time searching for ways. Instead, bring them to the nearest emergency animal facility.