Pet First Aid Preparation

Are you ready to administer first aid to your pet if need be? We truly hope that none of our clients ever have to administer first aid to their pets. However, we do always urge erring on the side of caution and being prepared. While you should of course immediately take your pet to the vet in an emergency, you may need to perform basic first aid before you can safely transport your animal companion. A Thorold, ON vet discusses pet first aid below.

If you don’t have a pet first aid kit, this is a great time to make one! Start by picking up a regular first aid kit. These are available in most drugstores. Then, start adding some pet-specific items. Some of the things you may want to include are blunt-end scissors, a muzzle, nonstick gauze, splints, tweezers, tick poppers, blankets, towers, antiseptic spray, and styptic powder. Put the kit in a tote, and include evacuation supplies, such as blankets, food, collapsible dishes, and toys. That way, you have all of your pet emergency supplies in one spot.

Buy or print out some pet first aid brochures or posters. Keep them in the first aid kit, so you’ll have everything together. In an emergency situation, you don’t want to waste time looking for the things you need. If you have a smartphone, you may also want to download some pet first aid apps. Make sure that your vet’s number is stored in your contacts. You’ll also want to include the number for the nearest 24-hour clinic, as well as other relevant numbers.

As the saying says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Always put your pet’s health and safety first. Do some basic petproofing, and remove potentially-hazardous items, such as toxic plants, small and/or sharp objects, wires and cords, chemicals, and medications. If you have a yard for Fido to play in, make sure your fencing is secure. We also recommend using self-latching gates. As for Fluffy, she’ll be much better off staying indoors, where she isn’t exposed to cars, weather, wildlife, and other hazards. Smaller pets, reptiles, birds and exotic animals all have their own safety do’s and don’ts. Ask your vet for more information.

Is your pet due for an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control? Contact us, your Thorold, ON pet clinic, today!