It can be devastating when something happens to our pets that means they require immediate assistance. They might have gotten into the Easter egg collection when your back was turned or have seemingly got into the neighbor’s lily flowers and ingested some of the pollen.
Unfortunately, something bad can happen relatively quickly, as animals are much like children and a little less hardy. If you believe your pet needs urgent care, these are the steps you should take as soon as possible.
Contact Your Vet
The first port of call for emergency pet situations is to call your registered vet. This will usually be an owner’s first thought, and it’s the right one. Unless you’re clear on what has happened and you can intervene immediately (such as an animal choking and you removing the hazard), it’s best to get a professional’s input as soon as possible.
Ideally, your vet will have a 24-hour helpline that can give you advice no matter what time of the day. If not, they should be able to refer you somewhere that they can.
Preparation is key in these scenarios, so make sure to register with a vet that’s local and who will have these emergency options here for you when you need them. For example, Carmel Valley pet hospital accepts urgent care and can also facilitate walk-ins.
Don’t Panic
Your pets are like little emotional sponges, so the moment they feel you start to panic is the moment they’re also going to take that on board, along with whatever else is going on.
While this can be much easier said than done, in almost every situation, panicking isn’t going to help. If you try to stay calm, this will help your pet to keep calm, too.
Make Your Pet Comfortable
In the interim of being able to get through to a vet or receive medical assistance, it’s important to try and make your pet as comfortable as possible. While this will depend on what the situation is, keeping them at a comfortable temperature, comforting them, cleaning up any mess, and making sure they have access to water can make the world of difference when you’re waiting.
You’ll also want to be aware of a potential change in their temperament if they’re not feeling themselves. When in pain, animals can react negatively due to their new circumstances.
The most important thing is that you’re there with them and are keeping an eye on them.
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Be Prepared to Administer First Aid and Cover Costs
When you get through to the vet, you might find that they can talk you through how to help your pet. This could be the difference between life and death, so it’s always best to be prepared, listen, and give it your best shot. While cost can sometimes be an afterthought in the panic of a poorly pet, it’s important that a financial plan is in place or that you’re prepared to cover the costs if you move forward with treatment that has been recommended.
