Similar to humans, animals suffer from conditions requiring immediate care, which may happen anytime – night or day, and on holidays. Sometimes, this can be hard to know, especially if it’s your first time having a pet. Though certain signs like bleeding or collapse trigger owners to take their pets to an emergency animal hospital straight away, some life-threatening conditions don’t show such signs.
It would be nearly impossible to mention all signs and conditions because the list would be extensive. But below is a summary of the most common signs that your pets need to visit a veterinarian immediately. Additionally, remember that even if they don’t manifest these signs, if they act oddly, it’s always best to call the experts like Falls Road Animal Hospital because they are trained for these. Contact them if you don’t know anything about Baltimore Animal Hospitals.
Signs of a Pet Emergency
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Obvious pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea with blood
- Loss of balance
- Inability to walk
- Bloated, swollen, or painful abdomen
- Dilated pupils
- Inflammation or injury to the eye
- Seizures
- Severe injury (car accidents, falls, broken bones, open wounds)
- Unconsciousness
- Pregnant females not able to deliver
- Difficulty breathing and severe choking or coughing
- Ingestion of poisonous plants, foods, chemicals, or bones
Basic First Aid for Pets
Though First Aid isn’t meant to replace professional care, there are instances when you have to stabilize your pets while on your way to an emergency clinic or hospital. Furthermore, these are helpful during certain situations, such as road accidents or poisoning. That’s the reason why as a pet owner, you have to maintain a First Aid kit in your house or car that will help you handle critical situations such as these.
Your kit should include:
- Medical tape
- Swabs
- Scissors
- Gloves and tweezers
- Gauze pads and bandages
- Alcohol wipes
- Saline eye solution
- Washcloths/towels
- Ice pack
- Styptic powder (for nail breaks)
1. Seizures
Remove all things that may hurt your pets. Avoid touching or controlling them since these can prolong seizures and do not place anything in their mouth. After the seizure is over, they can be disoriented for a little while, for up to two hours, and very thirsty, so make sure to prepare drinking water. As much as possible, pay attention to the time the seizure started and ended because this can aid the vet with their diagnosis.
2. Bleeding
Regardless of what the reason is, the purpose of first aid is to control blood loss. Though you can’t do much about internal bleeding, managing external bleeding prevents further damage while on your way to the vet. Start with muzzling your pet. Put a fresh gauze pad over the injured area while applying pressure with your hands until the blood clot starts, usually after a few minutes. In case of leg bleeding, it needs a gauze tourniquet and an elastic band to secure it. Bring your pet to the vet immediately.
3. Fractures
Akin to bleeding, you have to muzzle your pet first. Lay them down on a flat surface that may also function as a stretcher for transporting them into an animal clinic or hospital. Secure your pet to the stretcher, avoiding the affected part. Do not attempt to splint the limb and move it as little as possible. Transfer them quickly and comfortably as possible.
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4. Choking
When choking occurs, be careful because your pet may bite out of panic. Start looking for an object in their mouth and try removing it carefully, avoiding pushing it further into the throat. If you believe that it’s hard to try it, do not waste time figuring out how. If you think it’s difficult to do this, don’t waste time figuring out how. Instead, bring your pet to the vet immediately.
