Would you know who to call? Would you have any first-aid supplies on hand to help?
Just like children and adults, pets are susceptible to emergency medical situations such as poisoning, choking, heat stroke, puncture wounds and more.
Since April is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month and warmer weather is upon us, now is a good time to prepare for possible pet emergencies.
Other common pet emergencies include bug bites and infections. To be prepared for such situations, have a pet firstaid kit handy in your home.
Check your local pet store for a kit and pet first-aid manuals or gather the necessary supplies and create your own kit.
a card with emergency numbers.
Make sure the kit is kept in an easily accessible location and that you and any other family members responsible for the pet are familiar with the contents and the first-aid manual in advance.
It's also a good idea to jot down a list of the telephone numbers for the veterinarian, animal poison control center and the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic.
"Keep the numbers posted by the phone," said Duncan. Pet owners love their pets and often recognize right away when something just doesn't "seem right" with them, said Duncan. They also are in a good position to notice if their pet's patterns, such as eating, drinking, elimination and playing habits, have changed, said Joe Osbourne, D.V.M. at Meadowbrook Veterinary Clinic and Breckenridge Veterinary Clinic, both in Novi.
If you observe any behavior or health changes in your pet, contact your veterinarian. He or she can best advise you on the course of action to take. "People know their pets and can tell if something is out of the ordinary for their pets," said Duncan.
Signs your pet may be suffering from a health issue include unusual crying or whining; coughing; bleeding; confusion; vomiting; diarrhea; excessive drooling; and uncontrollable panting.
Duncan said to watch for bleeding that doesn't stop after five or 10 minutes; any issues with breathing, such as strained or exaggerated breaths; and swelling that may indicate a bug bite.
Significant amounts of vomiting or diarrhea should be reported to the
veterinarian immediately, said Duncan.
Also keep in mind when applying any antibiotic ointment to wrap the area so the animal doesn't lick the ointment, he said. It helps to be familiar with general pet first-aid information in advance and/or to enroll in a pet first-aid course.
While some pet illnesses and injuries can be treated at home, when it comes to administering medications, always check with a veterinarian. That's because dosages are typically dependent on the size of the animal, said Duncan. Also, some medications are not appropriate for both dogs and cats, he said.
Prevention is the best medicine. Proactive steps you can take for your pet include keeping your pet in a safe, secure environment, whether that's inside your home, in a fenced yard or on a leash.
When your pet is outside, make sure he or she is supervised, said Osbourne.
Pet owners can also keep the yard picked up to reduce the likelihood of
injuries, he said. Keep medications and electrical cords out of the pet's reach. Also keep cleaning supplies, toxic plants and sharp objects away from pets, said Osbourne.
Make sure the pet's vaccinations are current and that he or she is taken
for routine visits to the veterinarian on a regular schedule.
Veterinarian visits are important, said Osbourne, because they provide an opportunity to discuss the pet's behavior and to have the pet examined for any health issues, including ones that the owners may not be aware of, that can keep him or her happy and healthy.
