Pat, Cat & Dog

Posts Tagged ‘Rear Legs’

You should be prepared for your pet becoming ill or injured; your pet is, after all, an important part of your family. Being prepared for an unexpected emergency can be of benefit to your pet in the period before seeing the vet. As well as being informed and educated on what to do in the event of a pet emergency, it’s wise to ensure that you keep up to date with your pet insurance payments – just in case.

Choking.

Choking is a common problem and knowing the signs of choking can help you be prepared.Choking occurs because of some sort of obstruction in the pet’s mouth. All sorts of things can get stuck in a cat’s or dog’s mouth because both classes of animals show great curiosity. There are all kinds of things they will try to swallow including bones, balls and wood.

Choking can result not only from a rope or collar being too tight but also from a swollen throat caused by an allergic reaction to something. Some of the signs to look for include gagging, difficulty swallowing or breathing or pawing at their face. Before anything else make sure that there’s nothing, perhaps a collar, that’s constricting the neck.

Look inside the animal’s mouth and remove any foreign object you see. If this doesn’t work, you can lift and suspend a small pet with its head pointed down. For larger animals you can lift the rear legs up so the head is tilted down. The obstruction can sometimes be moved by means of a sharp slap between the shoulder blades, but attempt this only if you know what you are doing. Even if you have successfully removed the item, you should have your pet examined by your vet. By doing this you can eliminate the possibility of any internal injury.

Bleeding.

It’s vital that you apply and maintain pressure over the site of the bleeding injury. By putting a towel, a clean one, over the wound and applying gentle pressure, the blood flow can be contained. By raising the area you can limit the loss of blood. Use tape to secure a towel around the area. You should then seek vet treatment and advice immediately.

Pet Collapses.

It is essential that you stay calm. Make sure you have carefully observed your pet before you take them to the vet. You need to remember the course of events that led to the collapse, its duration, and its effects upon your pet. Such observations will enable the vet to make a diagnosis.

If your dog is no longer conscious, try to detect a heartbeat on the left side of the chest. Never forget the importance of handling your pet very cautiously. They may be confused, aggressive or disoriented. They may strike out or bite you unintentionally because of fear or pain. As soon as you can, you must seek medical assistance for your pet.

Fractures.

Fractures or broken bones are usually the result of some sort of trauma. Falling heavily or being hit by a car are amongst the causes. Rest and reassurance are required if you think your pet may have a broken or fractured bone. Use a clean cloth to cover any open wound you might see.

To avoid being bitten or scratched by an injured pet in pain, take appropriate precautions. Put your pet into a box or crate and go to the vet immediately. Don’t try to splint or fix the fracture yourself because if the limb is not placed properly it could cause additional injury to your pet.

Limping or Lameness.

Your pet’s limping could be the result of many causes. A broken bone or a slight sprain could be amongst these causes. The first thing to do is to examine your pet to see if the limping is caused by something in their paw such as a thorn or a splinter. If the limping comes and goes, make sure that your pet is kept inactive and indoors.

If the lameness lasts more than one day, you should take your pet to see the vet. Only after consulting the vet should you ever administer any medication to your pet. The kinds of medicines that can be bought over the counter for human use can be very dangerous for pets.

These are just a few of the common pet health emergencies that can occur. Unfortunately there are many situations such as these where you may need to check the terms of your pet insurance policy carefully. You must not forget that it’s essential to remain calm. A calm and rational consideration of the situation will enable the correct treatment to be provided. Unless you are confident about what to do, you should always call your vet so that your companion can be helped.