by Dr. Danielle Huff, DVM
How do you respond to an emergency with your pet? What do you do in the situation of your pet eating poison, laceration, abscess, or seizure? It is important to know how to handle an emergency situation and have a plan in place to quickly take action. Knowing these simple steps can make the difference between life and death.
First Aid Safety Tips for Pets
1. Keep a List of 24-Hour Emergency Veterinarians
In an emergency situation, every moment counts, and you need to contact an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible. The last thing you want to do is waste time looking for an emergency veterinary hospital. Instead, keep a list handy on your refrigerator, bookmarked in your browser, or taped to the front of a file with all of your pet's information. We have two amazing emergency clinics that can take care of your emergencies:
Bend Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Center 541-385-9110
Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon 541-210-9200
2. Keep Calm
Keeping yourself calm will also help to keep your pet calm. Keeping your pet as calm and still as possible is important during an emergency, this will help keep your pet’s heart rate down and lower the stress and anxiety of handling and this is especially important if your pet has sustained an injury or trauma.
3. Safely Transport Your Pet
It is important to safely transport your pet to keep your pet safe to prevent further injury and to prevent your pet from biting you during the transport. When a pet is scared and in pain, even the sweetest and most loving pets are more likely to bite and snap even as a warning that they hurt. When available transport in a carrier or at a minimum use towels or thick blankets to keep your pet safe. If needed, ask veterinary staff how to help safely transport your pet to the hospital.
4. First Aid Kit
Always keep a first aid kit with basic supplies in your home. If you travel or hike with your pet, keep one in your car or with your travel bag. Keep a current list of all your pets medications and supplements in your first aid kit and bring a copy with you to the clinic so the veterinarian can avoid negative mediation interactions. (More to come in future blogs about first aid kits).
5. Poisonings
If your pet ingested something you are concerned may be poisonous, contact poison control. Have as much information on hand as possible to get the best advice. If possible, have the label on hand with the active ingredients listed, estimate the volume that your pet may have ingested, and know about when the ingestion may have occurred. Follow all advice given by poison control and if necessary, bring this to the veterinary hospital with you.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435*
Animal Poison Control Center: 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)*
*There may be a fee for the phone call