Every year, many pets visit pet urgent care centers. Our animal friends may think they are invincible, but they are vulnerable and can get wounded easily. We provide urgent care at Britannia Animal Hospital. Ultimately, we want to keep our patients happy and healthy for as long as feasible. This service would be unnecessary in a perfect world. Unfortunately, pets often require urgent medical attention. Being ready and understanding what to do can make all the difference. This article from a Haddon Township, NJ pet urgent care vet discusses pet first aid.
What Should I Put in a Pet First Aid Kit?
If your pet is critically injured, you must seek veterinary care immediately. However, before transporting your pet, you may need to perform first aid. We always recommend getting a pet first aid kit. You can make your own or buy ones made for Fido and Fluffy. You may want to start with a human kit and add pet-specific stuff.
Here are some Items to include:
- Adhesive Tape
- Antiseptic Spray Or Lotion
- Cotton Swabs
- Ice Packs
- Cotton Balls
- Sterile Saline Solution
- Tweezers
- Gauze Pads
- Blunt-End Scissors
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Plastic Eyedropper
- Syringe
- Splints
- Foil Emergency Blanket
- Flashlight
- Tick Puller
- Ear-Cleaning Solution
- Treats
- Towels
- Leash And Collar
- Styptic Powder
- Pedialyte
Additionally, you should tailor the kit to your pet’s kind. A muzzle is recommended for dogs. This protects you and Fido’s caregivers. Pain may make even the gentlest dog bite! Got lizards? Include a non-spermicidal condom to wrap a damaged tail.
Getting two kits and keeping one in your car make sense.
Ask your Haddon Township, NJ vet for particular guidance.
Why Do I Need Pet First Aid Information?
Without knowledge on how to use it, that top-notch first aid package is useless. Thus, we recommend pet first-aid apps. The Red Cross has a great one in the App Store and Google Play.
Apps aren’t the only option. It’s probably best not to rely solely on them. They won’t work if your phone is dead or far away! Buy or print pet first-aid brochures, and keep them in the kit.
You should also include other documentation besides brochures. We recommend making copies of your pet’s medical records. Also, get the contact information for your vet, emergency clinic, and Pet Poison Helpline. Keep them in your phone. (Ours is 856-946-7788)
Keep your pet’s emergency kit current. Medical supplies like bandages persist for years, but some expire fast. Review the kit every six months. Repair or replace damaged or expired items.
Where Do I Keep My Pet Emergency Kit?
Each second matters in an emergency. Searching the garage or attic for that kit won’t help if you have minutes to spare. We recommend keeping it in or near a travel/emergency bag. This should include food, rewards, a leash and collar, towels, beds, dishes, bottled water, wipes, and comfort toys for an evacuation.
Keep everything with your pet’s travel carrier. Having everything together can save time in an emergency and be useful for vacation or camping.
What Else Can I Do For Pet Emergencies?
There’s no way to prepare for every possibility, but here are a few options:
Attend A Pet First-AId Class
We always encourage personal growth. Every stage of life offers new opportunities to learn and improve. Why not learn pet first aid? This may aid your pet at any time or place.
Mind That Smart Home Device
If you have Alexa, Siri, or another device, try to remember this in an emergency. We can’t verify its first aid advice, however it may help you call your vet or find an urgent care vet. Ask it to find an ‘urgent care vet near me’ or call your vet for advice.
Safeguard Against Pet Accidents
In pet care, as with so many other things, prevention is better than cure. There is no way to protect your pet from every possible accident, but you can lessen the risk. Taking basic steps to avoid injuries is best.
Petproofing matters! Many pets that visit urgent care are sick after ingesting harmful chemicals. Pets should be safely contained in comfortable areas that are free of potential hazards, such as toxic plants or sharp items. If you have a cat, keep your kitty indoors. Do some research and ask your Haddon Township, NJ vet for details.
Understand the Warning Signs
Pets cannot drive to the clinic, call an ambulance, or express their feelings: it’s up to us to spot signs that something is wrong. While some of these red flags differ by pet, others apply to most animals.
These include:
- Stomach Swelling
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Consumption of Toxic Plants or Foods
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures
- Bleeding
- Eye Injury
- Lameness
- Restlessness
- Stumbling
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
- Inappropriate Urinating/Defecating
- Unconsciousness
- Broken Bones
- Fractures
- Clear Pain Signs
- Failure to deliver puppies or kittens
- Sudden Blindness
- Unconsciousness
- Discolored Gums
Behavioral changes are also warning signs. That generally would entail things that are just out of the ordinary for your pet. Examples include quiet pets becoming vocal or talkative pets becoming quiet, or a friendly pet becoming aggressive. Take your pet’s strange behavior seriously.
Look up symptoms for your pet too. Feather pulling in birds and tooth grinding in pocket pets could be signs of a problem. If unsure, call the clinic to explain what’s going on, and let us determine if it’s an emergency or not.
Our Haddon Township, NJ Veterinary Clinic Accepts Appointments
Want to bring your pet in to a great animal clinic? Looking for an excellent local vet? Call us, your Haddon Township, NJ animal clinic today! We’re here for you!
