Most veterinary clinics are open during normal business hours from Monday to Friday. However, emergencies don't always happen during those times. Despite your best efforts, your pet may eat something they shouldn't or become injured unexpectedly. In these cases, you'll need to seek the assistance of an emergency animal hospital. Here are four tips that will help you get your pet the emergency assistance they need:
1. Call ahead of time.
Before you take your pet to the emergency hospital, you should give them a phone call. This serves two purposes. First, it will help you ensure that the animal hospital is open before you drive there; if the animal hospital is not open, you will need to find another facility. Second, it will allow the veterinary staff to give you any information you may need. They may recommend that you perform certain first aid procedures that will help stabilize your pet until you can get them to the animal hospital. Carefully follow any directions that you're given.
2. Transport your pet safely.
Pets are more likely to lash out when they're hurt or sick. Transporting your pet correctly can keep you and your pet safe. When picking up a pet who is unwell, use a blanket or towel. Wrapping your pet in cloth will provide some comfort. It will also make you less likely to jostle their injuries. The blanket or towel can also prevent your pet from biting or scratching you. Ideally, you should put your pet in their carrier to transport them to the emergency animal hospital. If that isn't an option, you can hold them instead.
3. Take a photo of your pet's medication.
If your pet is on any medication, the emergency veterinarian on staff will need to know about it. Certain medications can thin your pet's blood or have other effects on their body, which will have implications for their treatment. Before leaving the house, stop to take photos of your pet's medication. Having these photos handy will allow you to accurately answer the vet's questions about the names and dosages of your pet's medication.
4. Plan to stay for a while.
Emergency veterinarian appointments can take a while. The veterinarian may need to perform several tests to figure out what's wrong with your pet. You may want to bring a book or another activity to keep yourself occupied while you wait. Bringing a friend or family member can be beneficial for your emotional state.
Share14 December 2019
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.