A medical emergency can be traumatic to everyone involved, but having someone on the scene that knows how to respond can be life changing. This applies not only to humans, but also to pets. Dogs can frequently have allergic reactions, cardiac issues, get into hazardous materials and much more. Giving your fur baby a forever home means you’ll be expected to provide a safe and caring environment — even in the event of an accident or emergency. Without being able to speak, animals can still communicate if something is wrong. It’s up to you to recognize the signs that your dog might need emergency care.
If your pooch experiences a physical accident, such as a fall, you might need to take it to the vet immediately. Some indicators that urgent care may be required are:
- Rapid breathing
- Weak or fast pulse
- Lethargy
- Aggression
- Seizures
- Bleeding
- Isolation
Knowing how to act during an emergency starts with knowing what can cause your pet harm. Be aware of foods, substances and materials that your dog might get into or consume. For example, chocolate and most candies, grapes, dairy, another pet’s food, some houseplants, lawn fertilizers, antifreeze and household cleaners are very toxic to dogs. Its always important to learn about foods before feeding them to your pet. Just because they are safe for human consumption does not mean they are safe for pets to eat.
Fortunately, there are some first-aid options you can perform at home to help your pet. If your hound is bleeding, elevate the wound and apply pressure with cloth until you are able to go to the animal hospital. If your dog is choking, you might be able to remove the blockage with your fingers. And if the object cannot be removed, apply repeated, sharp pressure on the chest to hopefully dislodge the object. Antiseptic creams usually treat minor burns from hot water, oil, chemicals or ice.For more specifics on how to treat allergic reactions, seizures, poisoning, cardiac issues, etc., check out the below resource.
Dog Medical Emergency Guide created by Figo Pet Insurance.