Every year, numerous pets are brought into pet urgent care clinics. Our animal companions often seem to think they are invincible, but the truth is that they are very fragile, and can get hurt very quickly. We do offer urgent care services here at Britannia Animal Hospital. At the end of the day, we want to do everything we can to keep our patients happy and healthy for as long as possible. In a perfect world, this service wouldn’t be needed. But the fact of the matter is that pets can and do need emergency care all the time. Being prepared and knowing what to do can make all the difference here. A Meadowvale, ON pet urgent care vet offers some insight on pet first aid prep in this article.
What Should I Put In A Pet First Aid Kit?
If your pet is ever seriously hurt, then you would of course need to seek immediate veterinary care. However, you may need to perform some first aid yourself before your pet can safely be transported. That’s why we always recommend having a pet first aid kit.
You can buy ones made just for Fido and Fluffy, but you can also make your own. You may want to start with a kit made specifically for humans, and then add some pet-specific items to it. Some of the things you would want to include are adhesive tape, antiseptic spray or lotion, cotton swabs, ice packs, cotton balls, sterile saline solution, tweezers, gauze pads, and blunt-end scissors. We would also suggest including hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, a plastic eyedropper, a syringe, and splints. Other things you may want to add include a foil emergency blanket, flashlight, tick puller, ear-cleaning solution, treats, towels, a leash and collar, styptic powder, and Pedialyte or something similar.
Beyond that, you would want to customize the kit depending on what type of pet you have. For a dog, we would suggest including a muzzle. This is for your safety and the safety of anyone treating Fido. Even the sweetest dog can bite if they are hurt! For reptiles, you may want to include a condom: this is a good way to wrap an injured tail.
It’s actually not a bad idea to get two kits, and keep one in your car. If you like to take your dog out and about, this is a good thing to have on hand.
Ask your vet for specific advice.
Have Pet First Aid Information Ready
You can have a top-of-the-line first aid kit, but it won’t do any good if you don’t know what to do. That’s why we would suggest downloading some pet first-aid apps. The Red Cross has a great one, which is available on the App Store here or at Google Play here.
You don’t have to rely solely on an app. In fact, it’s probably best not to. It won’t do any good if your phone is out of juice or far away! You can also buy or print some pet first-aid brochures. Keep these in the kit.
Those brochures aren’t the only paperwork you would want to put in. We would also suggest including copies of your pet’s medical records, as well as key contact information for your vet, the nearest emergency clinic, and a Pet Poison Helpline. Save these to your phone contacts as well.
Keep The Kit Current
While many medical supplies, such as bandages, will last for years, others expire fairly quickly. Go through the kit every six months or so. Replace any items that are damaged or expired.
Store It With A Travel Carrier
Every second counts in an emergency. That kit won’t do you any good if you have to rummage for it in the garage or attic. Keep it with your pet’s travel carrier. We would also suggest keeping it with a travel/emergency bag. This should contain things you would need in case of an evacuation, such as food, treats, a leash and collar, towels, bedding, dishes, bottled water, wipes, and some comfort toys.
Having everything together can not only help you save precious time in an emergency, it’s also going to be a great thing to have on hand for travel or camping. Just grab and go!
Take A Pet First-AId Class
We’re always big advocates for personal growth. No matter where you are in life, there are always new things to learn and new ways to improve yourself. Why not take a pet first aid class? Remember, this may not only help your pet: it could come in handy at any time or place. The Canadian Red Cross has one available online for just $30.
Remember That Smart Home Device
If you have an Alexa, a Siri, or any similar device, keep this in mind during an emergency. While we can’t vouch for the accuracy of any first aid advice it offers, it may, for example, help you call your vet or locate an urgent care vet. You could ask it to search for something like ‘urgent care vet near me.’
Take Precautions To Prevent Mishaps
With pet care, an ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure. There is of course no way to completely safeguard your pet against every possible option, but there are things you can do to reduce the chances of an accident happening. The best thing you can do is take basic precautions to prevent injuries in the first place.
There’s a lot of ground to cover there. Petproofing is a big one. Many pets are admitted to the ER for ingesting dangerous items or substances. It’s also important to keep pets securely contained in comfortable, appropriate areas. If you have a kitty, we would strongly recommend keeping Fluffy safe and sound indoors. Do some research, and ask your Meadowvale, ON vet for more specific information.
Know What The Warning Signs Are
Pets can’t drive themselves to the clinic or call an ambulance, and they can’t tell us exactly how they feel. However, there are definitely red flags that would indicate a serious issue. While some vary a bit from pet to pet, there are a few that apply to almost any animal.
Those include the following:
- Restlessness
- Staggering
- Stumbling
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness Of Breath
- Difficulty Urinating Or Defecating
- Swollen Abdomen
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Known Ingestion Of Poison/Toxic Plants or Foods
- Difficulty Breathing
- Choking
- Seizures
- Bleeding
- Eye Injury
- Lameness
- Unconsciousness
- Broken Bones
- Fractures
- Obvious Signs Of Pain
- Inability To Deliver Puppies Or Kittens
- Sudden Blindness
- Loss Of Consciousness
- Discolored Gums
Behavioral changes are also a warning sign. That may include things like a quiet pet becoming vocal, or a vocal pet becoming quiet. Anything that is unusual for your pet should be taken seriously.
You’ll also want to look up symptoms that would apply to your specific pet. For instance, feather pulling can be indicative of an issue in birds, while tooth grinding is a warning sign in many pocket pets.
Keep in mind that some things may indicate a need for veterinary care, but don’t necessarily warrant an ER trip. That would include things like unkempt fur in kitties, and changes in appetite. If in doubt, call the clinic and explain what’s going on.
Make An Appointment At Our Meadowvale, ON Veterinary Care Clinic
Do you want to bring your pet in? Are you looking for a great vet in the area? Contact us, your Meadowvale, ON animal clinic, today!
