April is quickly nearing its end, but there’s still time to brush up on your knowledge on how to help your pet in an emergency in honor of National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Emergency situations can arise at any time, and knowing what to do could save your four-legged best friend’s life. While we provide emergency and urgent care here at PetNest Animal Hospital, it’s still important to know what to do in those crucial first moments after your pet eats something toxic, is involved in an accident, or becomes suddenly ill. Keep reading to discover some helpful information from our veterinarians in Frisco.
How to Help Your Pet in an Emergency
First of all, don’t panic. Staying calm is crucial in these situations because panicking usually makes the problem worse. At the very least, it will prevent you from offering the help your companion desperately needs. Keep a level head, and do the following things:
- If your pet is unconscious/unresponsive, check for a heartbeat and respiration.
- If they aren’t breathing, start CPR.
- Carefully attempt to clear their airway if they are choking. Be careful, so you don’t get bit!
- Remove hazards like spilled chemicals, sharp objects, toxic items, etc., from the area to prevent additional problems.
- Carefully apply pressure to stop bleeding.
- Check for broken bones before attempting to move your pet.
- Contact emergency services, like Animal Poison Control or PetNest Animal Hospital, for further instructions.
- Take your pet to a vet as soon as possible, even if they appear to stabilize.
We also recommend learning pet first aid. This will help you provide the best possible care for your pet if trouble ever arises.
Emergency Veterinarian in Frisco
If your dog or cat needs help from an emergency veterinarian in Frisco, we are here for you. We provide urgent and emergency care during our regular business hours and will tend to your pet as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn more or let us know you are bringing your furry family member in for emergency care.