What Do I Do With My Pet In An Emergency?

No-one wants to believe their pet will fall ill or get seriously hurt. No one prepares for a pet emergency. Unfortunately, it can happen, and when it does, panic sets in. You don’t know what to do and while you try your best to care for your pet, you make the situation worse. Knowing what to do in a pet emergency may just save your pet’s life. So, what should you do in a pet emergency?

Assess the Situation

First things first, ensure there is no further risk to the animal. If the animal is in the road, move them as quickly but as safely as possible. If the pet has ingested a foreign object or poison, make sure they can’t eat anymore. Remove all objects and keep them out-of-reach. Then, assess how badly hurt the pet is. Are they able to walk? Are they conscious? If not, you need to safely transport them from the home to the veterinary clinic.

Keep Your Pet Still and Warm

Depending on how seriously hurt your pet is, you need to ensure they keep as still as possible. For example, if a dog has been hurt by a vehicle, don’t move them until you can safely do so. If you have a larger animal, create a makeshift stretcher for them. For a smaller dog, place them in a transportation box and place a blanket over them. It’s essential to keep your pet as still as possible, and as warm as possible, also.

Call Ahead to your Vet

While you want to rush your pet to the vet, it’s essential to speak to your vet first. If the animal is badly hurt you shouldn’t move them until you’ve spoken to the vet. What’s more, they can advise you on the best course of action. The majority of licensed vets will arrange an emergency appointment. Calling ahead will enable them to arrange the necessary treatment for your pet.

Caring For Pets during A Non-Pet Emergency

What should you do if you have an emergency that doesn’t involve your pet? Who would care for your animal if you needed to leave them suddenly? Having a plan in case of a non-pet emergency is essential. If you have to rush off and can’t take the pet with you, you need someone reliable to leave the animal with. Ideally, you want to leave the pet with someone who’s good with animals and who has the facilities to home them while you’re away.

If you don’t have anyone reliable, then you may need to board them with a pet specialist. This, of course, will cost money, but there are many affordable options to board an animal. It’s crucial to have a list of kennels available.

Here are a few tips to help you during non-pet emergencies:

1. Have a Fund for Appropriate Boarding Fees.
2. If Leaving your Animal with Fellow Pet Owners, Ensure Both Animals Will Be Safe and Get Along Well.
3. Ask Your Chosen Care Provider Before An Emergency Occurs.
4. Offer Pet Supplies During Your Stay Away.

These simple tips may help you when the worst happens.

Prepare For Emergencies

Emergencies happen all the time and they can be very costly if you aren’t prepared for them. Fortunately, if you know what to do in those times, you may be able to avoid disaster. There are lots of ways to prepare for a pet and non-pet emergency. If your pet is hurt, it’s essential to contact a vet as quickly as possible. If it’s a non-pet emergency, you need to leave your pet with a suitable border or kennel. Knowing what to do in an emergency may avoid disaster later.