Pets depend on you for snuggles, food, shelter, and quick action in case of an emergency. Seeing your pet in extreme distress or even unconscious can be frightening, but your actions can lead to the best possible prognosis for your furry or scaly friend. At Caring Hands Veterinary Clinic in Philadelphia, our team often teaches people how to perform basic first aid procedures to help them know what to do in worst-case scenarios.
How Preventative Care Prevents Pet Emergencies
Practicing good pet care can prevent many common emergencies. Most people would never leave poison within reach of their child, yet the same people could accidentally leave toxic items near their pet every day. Learn about which types of food are toxic to your pet and keep them out of reach. The same is also true of household cleaning supplies, automotive fluids, and pest control products. Bringing your pet in for checkups at the veterinarian's office can also help identify common health conditions that lead to emergencies without proper care, such as dental infections.
Types of First Aid Procedures to Know
Accidental poisoning isn't the only type of emergency that can affect pets. Seizures, fractures, heatstroke, and frostbite are all potential emergencies your pet could face. Take some time to get familiar with the basic steps you need to take to get your pet stabilized. In most cases, you'll want to keep your pet calm and minimize potential damage. Placing pressure on a wound with sterilized gauze can help stop bleeding, and you can even learn animal CPR to give your dog rescue breaths until you can get them to the vet.
What to Do After Applying First Aid
Performing first aid on your pet is only the first step towards helping them recover. Once your pet is stable, you'll want to take it to the veterinarian immediately. At our office, we can take a look to see what caused the emergency in the first place and whether your pet might need additional care, such as pain medication or an IV to nurse them back to health. Your pet's prognosis depends on its age and overall state of health, which is why preventive care is so important. Fortunately, being able to act during the first few moments after an accident or health crisis can dramatically improve your pet's chances for a healthy future.
Get to Know an Emergency Pet Veterinarian
The best time to take your pet to an emergency veterinarian is before they ever have a crisis. At Caring Hands Veterinary Clinic in Philadelphia, we take the time to get to know our pet clients, which helps them feel safe and calm when an emergency arises. Give us a call today at (215) 621-8959 to schedule a "get-to-know you" appointment that includes preventive care for your pet.