Knowing how to administer first aid may help save your pet’s life before you can get them to a veterinarian.
Please note that emergency treatment and first aid should never be used as a substitute for veterinary care.
If your pet is experiencing any of the following, please contact your veterinarian and/or bring your pet to a vet clinic or the nearest 24-hour animal hospital IMMEDIATELY. Some common signs that are considered an emergency:
- Having difficulty breathing or choking
- Excessive bleeding
- Seizures
- Broken or fractured bone
- Ingestion of foreign object
- Consuming of poison or toxic food/ingredients
What to do if your pet is bleeding
Regardless of the type of bleeding, direct pressure and swift treatment is imperative.
While many cases of external bleeding are minor, deep wounds to the arteries or veins can quickly become a serious problem.
For any wounds or cuts that is bleeding profusely: 1) Manage the bleeding by applying direct pressure, and 2) use a thick pad or gauze and secure it with a vet wrap bandage, before bringing your pet to the NEAREST vet clinic or hospital for immediate professional attention.
Keep poisonous or toxic items away
Poisoning is a pet emergency that causes a great deal of confusion for pet owners. In general, any products that are harmful for people are also harmful for pets. Examples include cleaning products, rat poisons, and antifreeze.
That said, pet owners also need to be aware of common human food items that may be harmful to pets. These include onion, garlic, caffeine, chocolate, grapes, cow’s milk, and more. Houseplants such as aloe vera and peonies are also toxic. Click here to learn more about which items are toxic to your pets.
If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic or poisonous, please take them to your veterinarian or an emergency hospital immediately. Try to note the amount that was or could have been ingested.
Being prepared to give first aid
If you are a pet parent, you should ideally keep on hand your pet’s age, weight, and any prior or existing medical conditions. Save this information in your phone or write it down in a notebook.
Having a first aid kit ready at all times is also extremely helpful. You can keep the first aid kit at home, or bring it outdoors on playdates, dog park visits, and other occasions. Ideally, such a first aid kit for pets should contain items such as a disinfectant and antiseptic, bandages, gauze, and more.
Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery has put together a first aid kit with the essentials for your furkid.
Our kit includes F10 solution (a veterinary disinfectant), chlorhexidine for wound management, compression bandages, saline, syringes, styptic powder to help stop bleeding, gauze, and more. It also contains an instruction manual on how to use the items and properly care for your pet while you contact an available emergency hospital.
You can purchase our pet first-aid kit at the Paws N’ Claws Vet clinic premises at both Yishun and Upper Thomson. For details, WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun), or approach our friendly staff members when you are at the clinic.
Alternatively, please fill in the form below to send us a query.
