Pet Emergency: How To Handle A Major Medical Crisis With Your Family Animal

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Pets, for many, are no different from people in how fiercely they are loved and cherished. That makes dealing with medical emergencies especially challenging; however, when you know how to handle such situations in advance, you're more likely to be able to respond in the most helpful way possible.

If Your Pet Is Struck By A Car

Although it's difficult to think of anyone besides your pet after they've been hit by a car, make sure you keep yourself safe, by staying out of the way of other passing vehicles and by making sure the animal doesn't bite you. Even the dog you've known and loved for years could attack you under these extreme conditions, so you must think quickly and come up with the materials to make a muzzle, if necessary.

Call the police first, especially if the scene is disruptive to public access ways. You can also report a driver who failed to stop to the police, because the law mandates a person to stop and render aid. Immediately call an emergency vet to find out if they'll report to the scene. If they tell you to transport the animal yourself, explain the injuries you can observe and ask for advice on how to safely move the animal. You may need a blanket or a couple of helping hands, depending on the size of the animal, extent of injuries and where those injuries are. If you feel your pet was struck out of negligence in any way,

Dealing With Snake Bites

If you happen to witness a snake bite and know the snake is poisonous, contact an emergency vet right away. Carefully carry your pet to a vehicle and get to the clinic as fast as safety and speed limits will allow. If you're not sure about the type of snake involved or even that a bite has occurred, know to watch for the following symptoms of venomous contact:

• Sudden swelling of the animal's face and/or leg(s).
• Obvious pain and discomfort.
• Hyperventilating with excessive drooling.
• A small wound of two small, round punctures.

Even if you just suspect a snake bite or you notice your pet acting in such a way as to indicate something strange has happened to him, get him to the emergency clinic anyway. Venom is fast-acting and the only chance of survival may be the rapid response of a knowledgeable vet. Also, be sure to keep humans away from the area the animal occupied when bitten until it can be safely checked and cleared.

A Diabetic Crisis With Your Cat Or Dog

Unfortunately, the number of beloved pets in America diagnosed with diabetes is increasing. If your cat or dog has the disease, you need to take it extremely seriously as any deviation in food or medicine can bring about a crisis. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of a diabetic emergency, follow whatever advice your regular vet left you with and don't hesitate to make a fast trip to the pet emergency room. Diabetes can be hard to control, predict and monitor, especially without specialized equipment.

Sudden Loss Of Appetite And Vomiting

Any animal who refuses to eat and/or throws up what they do consume could be undergoing a medical emergency or they could have simply consumed something that didn't agree with them. Either way, as a precaution, you should monitor them closely and contact a veterinarian, even if the only one open is an emergency clinic. Because your pet could be in a serious situation, you're better off acting as if they are.

When A Pregnancy Goes Wrong

Dogs, cats, horses and other pets can experience complications during pregnancy and while giving birth, just like humans. If your pet seems to be "stuck" in the delivery process, they could be going through dystocia and would need emergency help right away. If you notice a lot of bleeding or that your mother-to-be pet is in pain or exhibiting other symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, difficulty walking or breathing, get pet 9-1-1 on the phone for further instructions and be prepared to take the animal, along with any newborns, in for an examination.

Ingesting Poison Or A Foreign Object

A sudden hacking cough or struggling to swallow, particularly if the animal hasn't actually eaten anything could be a sign that something strange has been consumed. If the situation doesn't resolve itself within a few minutes, you may need veterinary intervention. Also, be aware of signs of possible poisoning, especially if your pet has been around chemicals that could be dangerous:

• Not eating.
• Blood evident in stools and possibly from the nasal passages.
• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Lethargy and other peculiar characteristics.

If Your Pet Is Attacked By Another Animal

Because biting animals can pass along diseases, if your pet has been bitten in an attack, have them examined, even if the injuries do not appear to be serious. Take note, if possible, of what type of animal bit your pet and bring them carefully to the nearest animal treatment center. Sometimes when a pet is hurt, wrapping them in a blanket makes it easier to carry them and may also help prevent aiding humans from being bitten.

When Your Pet Passes Away

Especially if it's unexpected, losing a pet is devastating; however, you won't likely require the services of an emergency vet. Your regular vet can handle questions about the death and even perform what's called a necropsy, which is the animal equivalent of an autopsy. Unless your pet may have succumbed to a contagious condition, such as rabies or the parvovirus, in which case you should contact an emergency vet for possible special instructions, wait until your usual veterinary clinic opens and speak with them about what happened.

Animals can find their way into the most precarious and potentially dangerous predicaments and when it comes time to saving them, you must act quickly and decisively. As hard as it may be, try not to panic. Keep your cool and call an emergency vet clinic, such as Columbine Animal Hospital & Emergency Clinic, that will work hard to help, heal and even save your pet's life.

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5 May 2017