The Life Span Cycle Of Vet Care For Dogs

How To Prepare For Your Pet's Medical Emergency

11 October 2018 by Leonard Wallace

Having pets is fun and rewarding, but seeing them sick, injured or in pain is upsetting. Sometimes, medical emergencies occur, from broken bones to food poisoning. However, by following a few simple tips, it's easy to know what to do in case of an emergency.

Learn Some Pet First Aid

You might know a little first aid for people, but knowing about pet first aid is much rarer. Try to learn what constitutes an emergency and what to do in case of common emergencies such as cuts, wounds and broken bones. Some common items you should keep in a pet first aid kit are gauze and dressings. Keep the kit in a prominent place in your home, and make sure every family member knows how to access it. Search online for pet first aid courses in your area, or read up on the subject using books, videos and web articles. By knowing a few basics, you can make sure you're maximally prepared for an emergency.

Make Sure You're Financially Prepared

Being financially prepared for a veterinary emergency takes a little pressure off when it happens – when an emergency arises, you don't want to be worrying about the cost of an emergency vet visit. While you can save money in an emergency fund, having reliable pet insurance is probably your best option. Insurance isn't always cheap, but spend some time searching around and getting quotes, as well as finding out what each policy includes. With good insurance in place, you can set your mind at rest when it comes to emergencies.

Have A Good Emergency Vet

One way to help your pet in case of an emergency is to get them to a vet as soon as possible, at any time of the day. Choose a vet practice that offers 24-hour emergency cover or at least research places you could take your pet in case of a weekend or late-night emergency. You should also be aware, as the British Veterinary Association explains, that even if your vet practice has 24-hour coverage, it may not be at the usual location. Check out where you need to go after hours and how to get there. Making sure you know all the details for your emergency vet, including directions and contact information, will fully prepare you for an emergency.

Medical emergencies involving your pet are worrying, but by following the tips above, you can be as prepared as possible. Try to stay calm, make sure you know all your insurance information and get your pet to your emergency vet as quickly as possible.

Share  

Search