Household items in a pet emergency by Dr. Sarah

Video is courtesy of Life's Abundance and the July 2013 Blog.
Thanks you Dr. Sarah for a great video about household items to use in a pet emergency.
Certain items to always have on hand and so much more - amazing!

It’s an unfortunate fact that our dogs and cats become sick and sustain injuries. And sometimes, getting to a vet quickly isn’t an option. Isn’t it comforting to know that you might be able to help simply by using items found in just about every home? Benefit from Dr. Sarah’s expertise as an emergency veterinary doctor, and watch this month’s episode of Pet Talk. You too can become a ‘Medical MacGyver’! Hopefully, you’ll learn something new that’ll help a companion animal in need until you can get to the vet.

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ll know that we want you to be prepared. Being able to recognize an emergency situation as opposed from something that’ll ‘just pass’, is critical.

To make these vital decisions, we offer the following documents:

“Tips for Emergency Situations” and

“Recognize the Signs of Shock (Requires Immediate Vet Care)”,

These are PDF’s to print for future use. Consider posting each page in a central location, like the refrigerator, for quick reference, should an emergency arise.

Pet Emergency - What to Do

Dr. Sarah's tips on pet emergencies and what to do.

Not a subject we like to think about but always a good one to be prepared.

You are scared and so is your pet.  Being prepared can keep you calmer and in turn keep your pet clamer.

This video will explain what can be an emergency and what to do about it.  Please print a copy of our 2 documents so you have them on hand.
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"

Keep your pet’s veterinarian and emergency 24 hour facility phone number in one place and let everyone in the family know where these numbers are.


Ger precise directions to the facility and be sure to know the route before hand and keep these with the emergency contact numbers.


Keep their medical/vaccination records with the numbers as well.

If time permits, call ahead to the facility to let them know you are coming and describe what is happening.


If your pet ate something he/she shouldn’t have bring it with you.

Drive carefully
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Other Tips:

Keep an inventory of the basic first aid supplies

Maintain a list of basic first aid supplies:

Wound care: gauze, non stick bandages, adhesive tape

Poisoning supplies: milk of magnesia, activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide. Always contact your veterinarian or poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison.

Muzzle – do not use if your pet is vomiting

Leash

Backboard or support device (table leaf, ironing board, etc.)



Dr. Sarah: “Reasons to seek immediate care for your companion animal include:”

-profuse, bloody diarrhea or continuous vomiting

-abdominal swelling, restless behavior or retching (especially in large breed dogs)

-an inability to urinate (any species)

-consumption of poison, such as rat bait or antifreeze

-trauma, such as a car accident or injuries sustained from another animal (like a deep bite wound, etc.)

-breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, extending head or neck to breathe, or wheezing

-seizures, convulsions or fainting

-eye problems, such as foreign objects in the eye, loss of vision, squinting or sudden appearance of cloudiness in the eye


Stay Calm and Don’t Panic


If you would like you can print a copy to keep on hand by clicking here for Pet Emergency Tips as well as Your Pet - Signs of Shock, Requires Immediate Vet Care