Has your pet been injured? If so, know that you can seek out medical attention from your veterinarian at any time of day or night. In the period between recognizing something is wrong and reaching the emergency clinic, it’s vital to take the necessary precautions to minimize further risk of further damages–both to you and your pet.
To take charge of the situation with expertise and care, follow these first aid tips:
1. Place a Muzzle on Your Pet
When hurt and agitated, your pet can hurt you in a jerk reaction to their pain and fear. To avoid injuring yourself as you treat your injured pet, carefully place a muzzle or wrap them in towels, stockings, or gauze. While you may not want to, you’ll need to take care of yourself so that you can properly care for them, too. Avoid muzzles if your pet is vomiting, however, so as to not choke them.
2. Check for Injuries
Your pet could be suffering from more than one injury simultaneously, so even if the injury seems obvious, it’s important to examine their body completely to understand the full scope of the situation and avoid hurting them further as you move them to your car and ultimately, the veterinary hospital. Examine your pet gently and slowly, checking for limping, swelling, agitation, and unexpected warmth.
3. Stabilize Injured Areas
If your animal is bleeding or visibly suffering from a wound, rinse the area, apply petroleum jelly, and carefully wrap the injured area. Cut away excess hairs if they block your visibility.
4. Transport with Care
Treat your injured pet with care and place them gently in a pet carrier or lay them on a towel as a makeshift stretcher.
5. Call in Advance
Finally, if you’re not sure what to do or fear you’re running out of time to care for your pet, call your veterinarian ahead of time to receive advice and confirmation for your visit.
Contact a veterinarian at your local emergency veterinary hospital at any time of day or night if you suspect your pet has suffered an injury.