Emergency Care Tips For Injured Pets

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. — One of the most distressing events for pet owners to encounter is witnessing their pet being injured in a road traffic accident, or some other type of mishap that causes injury. When your pet does become injured, here are some tips from HomeoPet to increase your pet’s chance of a speedy recovery.

*Get your pet out of harm’s way. If your pet was involved in a road traffic accident, move the animal to the side of the road, using slow, deliberate movements. You don’t want to scare the already frightened animal or worsen any injuries that your pet may have suffered.

*Call a veterinarian. Add your veterinarian’s telephone number into your cellphone speed dial in case of an emergency, or if you are traveling, the number of a local veterinarian.

Do not administer fluids or food to the animal in case an anesthetic is needed, unless instructed by the veterinarian, as in the case of a diabetic with low blood sugar.

*Stop any bleeding. To stop heavy bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean towel or cloth. This is usually better than a tourniquet, which can lead to tissue death from lack of oxygen.

To stop a graze bleeding, apply powdered pepper or turmeric, which are easily available and wonderful clotting agents.

*If an injured animal feels icy cold due to shock, wrap a plastic bottle filled with warmed water in a towel to avoid burning or overheating the animal. Never put a hot water bottle directly against the animal.

The animal can also be wrapped in insulating material such as a rug, a thermal blanket, or even bubble wrap.

If an animal is in shock, a quiet, dimly lit space can be helpful.

*When a pet has been badly injured and is not easily handled due to pain, use a large rug to transport dogs, or a cage or box lined with a towel for small pets, such as cats, rabbits, or hamsters.

If you suspect fractures, a board can be used like a stretcher.

Remember, even the most friendly pet may bite when in pain. A thick towel wrapped around your arm and hands can help. A tie or soft rope can be used as an emergency muzzle or leash.

*Clean wounds can be washed with calendula herbal tincture (available at most health food stores), 10–20 drops in tepid water. Infected wounds can be safely cleaned with tepid salt water. Use as much salt as will dissolve in water.

*Always carry a tube of HP Healing Cream for external application onto wounds, cuts, bruises, burns, and bites, as well as HP Trauma/First Aid, for internal use for shock, sprains, injury, and swelling.

Established in 1994, HomeoPet (HomeoPetPro.com) has become a leading source for advanced homeopathic pharmaceuticals in the veterinary field, with products sold in more than 3,000 veterinary clinics, and is now available in eight countries around the world.