Responding to Severe Pet Injuries in an Emergency

When your pet suffers an injury, it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Knowing how to respond when your pet is hurt is essential for providing the best possible outcome. With the following information, you’ll be better equipped to handle many unexpected pet injuries that may arise.

Signs to Look Out For

Your furry friend can be in a potentially dangerous situation for many different reasons. These include but are not limited to falls, trauma, choking, heatstroke, ingesting foreign bodies or poisoning. In these cases, it is highly recommended that you take your dog to the veterinarian for urgent medical attention. Some symptoms that warrant emergency care are excessive bleeding, pale gums, rapid breathing and a weak or rapid pulse. Other symptoms to watch out for are changes in body temperature, trouble standing, paralysis, seizure attacks or loss of consciousness.

First-Aid Measures at Home

In cases of emergency, you should seek professional veterinary assistance as soon as possible. However, it would be best if you also looked into providing your pet with basic first-aid measures to ensure their stability until you can transport them safely.

Has your pet experienced trauma that caused external bleeding? One of the most effective methods for containing the bleeding is elevating and applying pressure to the wound. Through this step, you can help minimize the risk of infection while controlling blood flow. Anyone with access to clean clothes or gauze can use this simple technique.

Choking is a serious and potentially life-threatening situation for your pet. If you suspect your pet is choking on something, the first step you should take is to try to remove the blockage by placing your fingers in their mouth. You should do this carefully and gently, though. It could be the difference between life and death for your pet. What if you can’t remove the object lodged in their airway? Then, a modified Heimlich maneuver can be performed by giving sharp blows to the chest. This should help in dislodging the object.

How to Approach a Hurt Pet

When a beloved pet is severely injured, it can be difficult to know how to respond. In some cases, an injured animal may act aggressively and pose a potential risk of harm to its pet parent. Muzzling, wrapping and immobilizing are a few ways to protect yourself, your pet, and the people around you from injury.

Pets can’t tell you when something is wrong. So, you must watch for subtle changes in their behavior or physical appearance. Do you suspect your four-legged companion is suffering from a severe injury or health issue? Call the Emergency Pet Hospital of Redlands now in Redlands, California, at (909) 793-5999.