To be a truly awesome pet owner, all you need is love, right? Without a doubt, warmth and tenderness are essential parts of the puzzle. But to be a responsible pet owner, an understanding of what to do in a pet emergency is crucial.

Acquiring items for a pet first aid kit is a great place to start, and knowing how to perform pet CPR takes it to the next-level in emergency preparation. 

Our Duty

Sharing a home with a pet is a privilege not to be taken lightly. Of course, they bring a lot of fun and happiness to the table. However, acknowledging and providing for all their needs involves preparing for sudden illness or injury. Being able to respond appropriately can also come in handy during a natural disaster or other emergency.

What’s In Your Cabinet?

Print out or organize your pet’s medical history and records in waterproof bag. Include a recent photo, microchip information and proof of all vaccinations. Place these documents inside the travel crate / cage, as well as the dedicated container for pet first-aid supplies. If you ever have to evacuate or travel quickly with your pet to an emergency hospital, all their information is in one place.

Keep our contact number at hand, as well as the one for ASPCA Poison Control.

The Right Stuff

Pets that are seriously ill or injured may growl, hiss, bite or swipe at your hands. As a result, it may be necessary to muzzle them to protect yourself. However, if your pet is having breathing difficulties or is vomiting, coughing, choking or panting heavily, do not muzzle them.

Assessing the Damage

As with any crisis, it’s important to stay calm. Stabilize your pet and assess the situation. Call us for help. 

Having the following items in your pet first-aid kit can make all the difference:

• Self-cling bandage
• Absorbent gauze pads and rolls
• Blunt ended scissors
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Antiseptic wipe or spray
• Saline solution
• Disposable gloves
• Rectal thermometer (and lubricant)
• Ice pack
• Ear-cleaning solution
• Antibiotic ointment
• Plastic syringe or eyedropper
• Tongue depressor
• Splints
• Styptic powder
• Small flashlight
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers

Over time, go through your pet first-aid kit and replace any items that have expired. 

Pet First Aid or CPR?

The American Red Cross offers online training for pet CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Anyone can learn and apply this life-saving skill in the event that an animal stops breathing or has no heartbeat.

• Lay the animal down on their right side. 
• Circulate blood to the vital organs by pressing down on the chest to about ½ of the width.
• Release after a count to one. 
• Repeat 100-200 times per minute.
• Every 15-20 seconds, blow 1-2 breaths into the pet’s nose (keep a hand around the snout or muzzle to keep the mouth closed).

Stick to the Motto

When pet owners are prepared to handle various pet emergencies, their animals have better odds of surviving emergency illness or injury. If you need more help on this topic, please reach out to us. Shiloh Mobile Veterinary Hospital is always here for you!

The post Always Be Prepared: A Primer on Pet First Aid and CPR appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

Most pet owners understand the value of preventive care and prioritize annual wellness visits, vaccinations, and parasite prevention. Unfortunately, taking these precautions don’t entirely eliminate the threat of accidental illness or injury.

Recognizing a pet emergency and getting your pet the help they need quickly is often the key to a successful outcome. Pets are hardwired to hide signs of pain, which can make it difficult to tell when they need medical attention.

The team at Shiloh Veterinary Hospital has put together a quick guide on the most common problems that require immediate attention.

Warning Signs of a Pet Emergency

Certain situations are always considered a pet emergency, such as:

• Breathing problems – This includes any type of breathing difficulty, such as choking or coughing uncontrollably.
• Wounds – Bring your pet in if they have a wound that doesn’t stop bleeding within 5 minutes or if they have any bleeding from the nose, mouth, or anus.
• Eye injuries – All eye injuries are considered pet emergencies. Bring your pet in if you notice bleeding, swelling, or discharge in or around the eye.
• Elimination difficulties – Straining or inability to defecate or urinate for more than 12 hours can signal a dangerous intestinal blockage or other medical emergency.
• Pain – Signs of pain in pets include limping, favoring one side, hunched posture, difficulty standing or walking, extreme anxiety, sudden aggression, or disorientation.
• Severe vomiting/diarrhea – A pet who’s vomiting or has diarrhea several times a day should be seen by a veterinarian, especially if accompanied by fever or lethargy.
• Trauma – Your pet should receive medical attention after any trauma, such as falling from a great height, being struck by a vehicle, or fighting with another animal  – even if there are no visible injuries.
• Fever – Your pet should be seen by a veterinarian if they have a rectal temperature greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refusal to eat/drink – Not eating or drinking for 24 hours or more is considered a pet emergency.
• Difficulties during labor – Seek medical attention if a laboring pet has gone several hours without delivering a puppy or kitten.

The Next Steps

Time is of the essence when it comes to a pet emergency. Know the names of nearby veterinary emergency hospitals, and program their contact information into your phone.

Always use caution when transporting a sick or injured pet – even the gentlest animal may bite or scratch out of fear or pain. A box or crate is the safest way to get them to a veterinarian without compromising your own safety.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff for more information. We’re always here for you!

The post Recognizing and Responding to a Pet Emergency appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.