April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Many pet owners know all too well that our animal companions are very much prone to mischief and mishaps, and can easily get hurt. While we hope that your beloved pet never suffers an emergency, accidents and injuries can—and do—happen every day. If your furry pal ever is hurt, you’d need to seek immediate veterinary care, but you may need to perform some first-aid before you can safely transport them. A Fayetteville, NC vet touches on some basic first-aid information below.
First-Aid Kit
A good first-aid kit could make all the difference in the world in an emergency. You can find pre-made ones made specifically for pets, but you can also get one made for people and then just customize it by adding some pet-specific things. This will vary a bit depending on what type of pet you have. For instance, you may need a muzzle for a dog, while a bird-safe oral electrolyte solution would be a good addition for Polly’s emergency kit. Ask your vet for advice.
Apps/Information
It’s a good idea to get a pet first-aid brochure or print out and keep it with the kit. You may also want to download some helpful apps. The American Red Cross has a good one for pets. That all said, if anything happens, you’ll immediately want to call your vet. Our number is 910-484-7153. The ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline is (888) 426-4435. (Charges may apply.) We also recommend keeping your vet’s contact number and the information for the nearest emergency clinic/clinics with the kit. Keep this all with your pet’s travel carrier, so you have everything in one place. This will also be helpful in case you ever need to evacuate.
Helpful Tips
If you ever have to take your pet to the emergency clinic, call ahead. That will give the staff a heads-up, so they can start getting things ready. Time is always of the essence in an emergency situation!
Keep in mind that even the sweetest pet can bite when they feel hurt or threatened. Use proper precautions. For instance, you may need to muzzle an injured dog for transport. However, that wouldn’t be safe for a pup that has a jaw injury, or one that is vomiting.
As your Fayetteville, NC animal clinic, we are dedicated to offering top-notch care. Please contact us anytime!
