If you have a pet, you know that first aid is more than just keeping bandages on hand. It's also knowing when to seek professional help in an emergency situation. So what should you do if your beloved furry friend is injured? And how do you know when it's time to call the vet? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Call your vet immediately when you see any of the following signs.
If you see any of the following signs, call your vet immediately:
- Bleeding profusely from an open wound
- Vomiting or diarrhea (more than 24 hours) that doesn't improve with home care
- If your pet has been exposed to toxic substances such as cleaning chemicals, bleach, or rat bait.
If your pet is bleeding profusely, wrap a towel around his/her body and apply pressure to the wound. If possible, place ice packs over the area as well.
If your pet is bleeding profusely, wrap a towel around his/her body and apply pressure to the wound. If possible, place ice packs over the area as well.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic (e.g., antifreeze), seek immediate veterinary care because time is of the essence; toxic substances can kill pets within minutes or hours. Call your vet immediately if possible, then take him there as soon as you can.
If your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea that continues for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary attention immediately.
If your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea that continues for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary attention immediately. If your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea, contact your vet immediately. If he or she determines that it's not serious and you have time to wait for the symptoms to pass on their own, they may advise bathing the animal in cool water with a mild soap and letting him rest indoors until he feels better.
If he has been diagnosed with parvovirus (a viral infection) by a veterinarian, however--or if there are other symptoms such as dehydration, lethargy, or loss of appetite--you should take him back right away so they can prescribe treatment right away.
Seek veterinary care if your pet has been exposed to toxic substances such as cleaning chemicals, bleach, rat bait, or other dangerous chemicals.
- Seek veterinary care if your pet has been exposed to toxic substances such as cleaning chemicals, bleach, rat bait, or other dangerous chemicals.
- Identify the substance and learn how it works. Look for labels on containers and packaging materials that describe what hazards they may pose in case of ingestion or exposure (e.g., "harmful if swallowed," "dangerous if inhaled").
- Handle the material safely by wearing protective gloves and clothing as well as eye protection when appropriate; avoid skin contact with any harmful substances; keep toxins away from children and pets; wash hands thoroughly after handling any potentially toxic products or materials in order to avoid accidental ingestion by yourself or others in your household who may be more susceptible than you are (infants/children).
Call your vet immediately if your pet is having trouble breathing or having difficulty maintaining consciousness.
If your pet is having trouble breathing, try to determine if it's a mild problem or something more serious. If you're able to see that the animal is in distress, take note of its symptoms:
- Is the chest rising and falling?
- Is it wheezing or coughing?
If you suspect that your pet may be experiencing respiratory issues, call your vet immediately for advice on how best to proceed. If the animal is unable to breathe normally on its own (and not responding), use CPR immediately by pressing down firmly on their chest until help arrives at the scene or oxygen becomes available via an inhaler or nebulizer machine.
Contact your vet immediately if your pet has been bitten by a snake, scorpion, or another animal (including humans). Some bites are more dangerous than others and require immediate first aid treatment before transport to a veterinarian's office can begin.
If your pet has been bitten by a snake, scorpion, or another animal (including humans), contact your vet immediately. Some bites are more dangerous than others and require immediate first aid treatment before transport to a veterinarian's office can begin.
It's important to know when to seek immediate professional help so that your pet can get the care he needs as soon as possible.
There are many reasons why you should seek veterinary attention immediately. It's important to know when to seek professional help so that your pet can get the care he needs as soon as possible.
- If your dog or cat is bleeding profusely, wrap a towel around his/her body and apply pressure to the wound. If possible, place ice packs over the area as well.
- If your dog or cat continues vomiting or has diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours, contact your vet immediately for advice on how best to manage these symptoms at home until an appointment can be made with him/her in person later on that same day (or even better yet--the next morning).
- Call up your vet if any of these symptoms are noticed: trouble breathing; difficulty maintaining consciousness; excessive salivation; swelling around eye(s), mouth, or nose areas; seizures/muscle tremors lasting more than 10 minutes without stopping completely before restarting again after several minutes' rest period between each episode occurring throughout same time period (I'm talking about happening every minute here), etcetera...
Conclusion
If your pet is injured or sick, it's important to seek professional help as soon as possible. The sooner you get him treatment, the better his chances are for recovery and return to normal activity.
