It's not uncommon for a pet to get hurt. Whether your dog bites through the leash on a walk or your cat is involved in an accident with the window, it's important to know what to do when something goes wrong. This guide will help you diagnose and treat common types of injuries in dogs and cats so that you can keep them safe and healthy.
Burn
To treat a burn, first, remove the affected clothing and jewelry. Then apply cool running water to the skin for at least 20 minutes. If possible, submerge your pet in cool water to help reduce swelling and pain. Do not use ice or ice packs because they can worsen damage by causing further tissue injury due to cold shock (when tissue contracts rapidly).
If your pet's skin is blistered or charred beyond recognition, seek immediate veterinary care! Severe burns require specialized treatment by an experienced veterinarian who knows what to do with them--and how quickly you need to get there before complications set in.
Preventing burns means never leaving candles unattended around pets; keeping matches out of reach; avoiding exposing them directly under sunlight or hot lamps; checking that electrical cords are secure before plugging them into outlets; making sure that appliances have safety features like guards over heating elements (like stoves); and avoiding contact between chemicals such as cleaners/bleach/other household products with their paws by storing these substances safely away from where pets might be able to reach them if accidentally tipped over onto their sides while standing upright on two legs instead of four legs like humans do when reaching upwards towards high shelves above their heads.
Cut
If your pet is cut, you should clean the wound with water and soap. Then apply a disinfectant. You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean a small cut but do not apply it to large wounds or burns. If your pet's cut is serious, take him or her to the vet right away!
For smaller cuts on dogs and cats that need bandaging:
- Cleanse with mild soap and water; rinse well
- Apply an antibiotic ointment (Bactine works well) liberally over the area where the bandage will sit (this helps prevent infection)
- Wrap in gauze wrapping - make certain not to wrap too tightly so as not to restrict blood flow through veins/arteries underneath the skin surface
Bitten or Scratched
- Keep the wound clean and covered. Wounds that are not cleaned properly can become infected, so be sure to wash your hands before touching your pet's injury.
Sunburn and Heatstroke
If your pet has been outdoors in the sun for too long, it can get sunburned. This is a first-aid emergency that requires immediate medical attention. If you see signs of heatstroke in your pet, which include lethargy or disorientation and lack of appetite, get them to a vet immediately.
Heatstroke is life-threatening and can kill your dog or cat if left untreated: avoid leaving them out in direct sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm during summer months! Make sure to wear sunscreen on yourself when taking them outside--and make sure other family members do too--and keep an eye on how much time they spend outside each day (especially since it's easy for us humans not to realize just how hot it really feels). If possible, keep pets indoors during these times as well; otherwise, make sure there's shade nearby so they don't bake under direct rays from above (which are stronger than we think). Always have access
to water or wet towels in case there isn't any available--this will help cool down their body temperature quickly when needed most urgently!
Choking
If your pet is choking and you don't know what is causing it, or if the object has become lodged in their throat, check for signs of distress. If your pet is making sounds that indicate pain or discomfort (coughing, wheezing), try to dislodge whatever is causing them to choke by placing two fingers on either side of their mouth and gently pulling back until you feel resistance from an object in their throat. You can also use a toy as a guide for this method--pressing down firmly on one end should force whatever's blocking airflow out through another opening.
If this doesn't work after several tries, call an emergency veterinarian immediately; they may need to perform surgery on your pet if they can't remove whatever objects are blocking his airway without risking further injury during attempts at removal with tools like forceps or other instruments used by vets during first aid procedures like X-rays.
Broken Bones or Fractures
If your pet has broken a bone, it's important to act quickly. Broken bones and fractures can be very painful for pets, so it's best not to wait before getting them treatment.
Here are some signs that your pet may have sustained a broken bone or fracture:
- Your dog has trouble moving around and holding up its leg(s). This is especially true if you notice the injured limb sticking out at an odd angle from the body or hanging lower than usual when they walk on three legs instead of four.
- The skin around their injured area is swollen and discolored (dark blue). This happens when blood vessels burst due to trauma; over time these ruptures heal themselves but leave behind discoloration in their place. You hear popping noises coming from inside their body when they move around--this indicates damage has been done internally as well!
It's important to be prepared when dealing with pet injuries.
It's important to be prepared when dealing with pet injuries.
If you know what to do in an emergency, and have a first aid kit on hand, it can make all the difference in how quickly your pet recovers from an injury.
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful in understanding how to deal with common pet injuries. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! We are here for you and your furry friend.
