When you own a pet, there are many things one must keep in mind. You not only need to make their environment safe, but also have knowledge of what pets should and should not eat, and keep their best interest. In addition, it is important to know some pet first aid tips, just in case of emergency.
First Aid Supplies
First aid kits are not only important for humans but for pets as well. If you own a pet, you should have a first aid kit prepared in case of emergency.
That kit should first include the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the nearest emergency veterinary clinic, and a number of animal poison control. These phone numbers will be important if your pet is in distress and need any kind of help.
Additionally, in your kit, there should be a gauze, leash, strips of cloth, adhesive tape (but not the human bandages), hydrogen peroxide, a digital thermometer, an eyedropper, muzzle, and a board or blanket that can be helpful in stabilizing an injured pet.
Why The Need For These Supplies ?
You should use supplies like strips of cloth, gauze, and adhesive tape for taking care of the wound. If your pet is injured and is bleeding, it is important to apply pressure and try to get the bleeding under control as quickly as possible.
A digital thermometer should be used frequently to monitor the temperature of your pet, and you can use the eyedropper to dispense the medicine or even to help flush a wound.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting, but should only be used after consulting the doctor. Similarly, after speaking to a professional, you can use milk of magnesia with activated charcoal to help to absorb the poison in your pet.
First Aid Tips
How to Handle a Choking Pet
Another first aid tip, everyone owning a pet should know is how to deal with a choking pet. We all know that sometimes, our furry friends eat more than they can handle or chew on something that they shouldn’t eat. As a result, you should be able to do something that stops your pet from choking.
If your pet is choking, the pet will clearly be in distress, first step is to try to see if you can find the object in the pet’s throat. Depending on the size of the pet, you might be able to open their mouth and see the object that is choking the pet.
If you can clearly see and grip the object, then go with that and pull the object out from the throat. But keep in mind that your pet may more likely to bite when it is in choking distress. If you are unable to remove the object or your pet collapses/faints, you should try to lay it on its side and strike on the rib cage with the palm of your hands and repeat it 3 to 4 times.
These tips are important for any pet owner, and in some cases can make the difference between life and death. Just like it’s important to know first aid for humans, the same is true about your pets. To learn more about how to take care of your pets in case of an emergency, please contact us.