4 Springtime Injuries That Require Pet First Aid Care
Your pet is part of the family, and this spring, your family will be taking part in more activities that without care and caution can put your four-legged family members in danger.
April is Pet First Aid Awareness month and the prime time for you to freshen up on your pet first aid and safety knowledge to keep your furry loved ones out of harm’s way.
Accidental Poisoning
When spring cleaning, keep all chemicals out of reach – even the natural ones because they can be harmful if ingested.
As you work in your yard, make sure all fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, etc. are also out of reach. Some chemicals can be absorbed through the paws, so decreasing the use of dangerous products in general, is a safer option.
Poison Pet First Aid Tip:
If a chemical gets on your pet’s skin or in his eyes, read the label and follow the directions listed. If you believe your pet has ingested the chemical, call the Animal Poison Control Center Hotline at 888.426.4435. It’s a good idea to have this number saved in your phone as well.
Heatstroke
As the weather warms up, you must keep your pet hydrated and in a cool environment.
The safest place is an air-conditioned house. If you believe your pet’s paws are too hot, you can cool them with rubbing alcohol.
To keep your pet hydrated, be sure he or she has access to cold or cool water throughout the day.
Also, as you are likely to take your pet out more often in the warmer months, remember never to leave him in the car alone. Temperatures spike rapidly inside a vehicle, and a quick run to the grocery store or the mall is not worth your pet’s life.
Heatstroke Pet First Aid Tip:
If you believe your pet is having a heatstroke, get him to the veterinarian ASAP. Every moment is critical when your pet has gotten overheated. As you prepare to transport him to the veterinarian, move him to a cool, shaded area and place a cold towel around his neck and head.
Refresh the cold towel every few minutes and if you can, pour water on his body paying attention to his abdomen and hind legs, until he can get to the veterinarian’s office. Remember, cooling his body alone is not a replacement for seeing a professional.
Fracture and Bleeding
With more trips to the park, walks around the neighborhood, visits to local festivals, and time spent in the backyard, your pet has more opportunities to get away from you and be injured by a vehicle, animal, or other objects in the community.
When your pet is out, he should be leashed and/or harnessed unless he is in a safely fenced area in your backyard. Otherwise, the results could be painful and devastating.
Fracture Pet First Aid Tip:
Lay your pet on a flat surface to provide support and secure him with a blanket being sure not to apply pressure to the injury. Transport him to a veterinarian as soon as possible so he can receive the proper splint or bandaging that’s required to heal correctly.
Bleeding Pet First Aid Tip:
If your pet is bleeding internally, keep him warm and transport him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
If your pet is bleeding externally, place a thick gauze pad over the wound and apply pressure in 3-minute increments until it begins to clot. If the bleeding is severe, get him to the veterinarian ASAP.
As you plan your fun spring activities, be sure to keep the safety of your four-legged friends in mind, so you don’t have to use these pet first aid tips. But, if you do, you’ll be glad that you took the time to freshen up on your knowledge.
With family vacations around the corner and more time spent out and about, your pet might not always tag along.
If you wish your furry friend could have a little company throughout the day for a walk, or if he could stay at home where he’s comfortable instead of being boarded or housed with a relative, Crate Escape Pet Care has you covered.
We offer a variety of services from daily dog walks to in-home pet sitting to animal transportation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your pet stay happier at home.