No one wants to encounter a situation in which their injured pet needs emergency care, but accidents can happen when you least expect them. It’s important to know how to properly assess your pet’s injuries after an accident and safely transport them to an emergency veterinarian in Bozeman, MT. Here is a step-by-step process for safely transporting your pet.
Act Quickly, but Stay Calm
In an emergency, it’s crucial to act quickly, as every moment counts. The sooner you get your pet the care they need, the better. Though you must act quickly, it’s also important to stay calm. Speak in a soothing voice and treat your pet gently.
Call the Closest Emergency Veterinary Hospital
Call the closest emergency veterinary hospital to let them know you’re on your way. Tell them exactly what happened to your pet. They will guide you through the process of assessing your pet’s injuries. If your pet is bleeding, look for the source. Check for signs of trauma, such as broken bones, injuries to the eyes and mouth, injuries to the abdomen or chest, or foreign objects stuck in your pet’s skin, like glass or wood. Assess your pet’s breathing and heart rate.
Administer First Aid
The person you speak to at the animal hospital may walk you through the process of administering first aid before you transport your pet. If your pet is bleeding, they may have you apply gentle pressure using a clean towel or t-shirt.
Secure Your Pet for Transport
You will need to try to stabilize your injured pet as much as possible so that you can get them into your car. If you have a small pet and they don’t have severe injuries, you can put them in a carrier, crate, or cardboard box. If you have a larger animal or if they are badly injured, you will want to try to create a stretcher to use to carry them without moving them too much. You can use a flat piece of plywood or cardboard, an ironing board, the plastic tray from a pet crate, or any other rigid, flat object. Gently slide your pet onto the stretcher while moving them as little as possible. Keep their body straight and their head aligned with their body. When they are secure, cover the crate, box, or stretcher with a towel or blanket and put it in the backseat of your car.
Call Pet Emergency Trauma Services
Do not assume that because your pet seems fine, they have no injuries. They may have hidden or internal injuries, and even minor cuts and abrasions can lead to infection. It’s best to have them examined at an emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible.
At Pet Emergency Trauma Services, we specialize in pet emergency services, urgent pet care, and after-hours medical care for pets in Bozeman, MT, including critical care, hospitalization, diagnostic services, and surgical services. We open at 7:00 a.m. on Fridays and provide 24/7 emergency care through Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. We are closed from 7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:00 a.m. Call us now to let us know you’re coming in for a pet emergency.
