• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Be prepared for a dog medical emergency

Posted July 14, 2018

 
Plan ahead so you are ready in a dog medical emergency. Start by preparing a first aid kit. Jack Russell Terrier with ice pack on head and thermometer in mouth lies next to chihuahua holding stethescope while putting paw on first aid kit.
Plan ahead so you are ready in a dog medical emergency. Start by preparing a first aid kit.

It’s a pet owner’s worst fear: you face a dog medical emergency when your pup gets into an accident or gets sick.

They never look so helpless when they’re not feeling well, and they’re entirely dependent on you to make it better.

So what do you do? How do you plan for and provide the best care for your dog when they need you the most in a dog medical emergency?

Plan ahead for a dog medical emergency

Luckily, most of the health problems your dog will have in their lifetime will be minor.

Whether they’ve eaten something from the trash that doesn’t sit well with their tummy or have problems with allergies, you can keep most of what you need to soothe them in a first aid kit. Items to include:

  • Items to treat wounds, like gauze, antiseptic wipes or solution with cotton balls, and self-cling bandages that stick to themselves (and not your dog’s fur)
  • Scissors
  • Sterile saline eye wash
  • Medications like Benadryl (which is safe for dogs in small doses to treat allergic reactions), activated charcoal or milk of magnesia (for poison), or any other medications your dog might be taking
  • Thermometer and petroleum jelly
  • Leash, blanket, muzzle, or any other protective wrap used to calm and restrain frightened animals
  • Treats to distract dogs
  • Information like the number for their veterinarian, poison control, and any other emergency numbers

You can assemble your own first-aid kit or purchase a ready-made kit from a variety of retailers.

Trust your instincts

Sadly, our dogs can’t tell us when they feel bad or if something hurts. If you feel like your dog is behaving strangely, see a vet.

As his best pal, you’re the one who will recognize that something is different. Some animals tend to hide or minimize their symptoms until they’re in a terrible place, health-wise, so paying careful attention is essential.

Trust your instincts, and if they’re behaving oddly, they might be trying to tell you something.

Prepare for big moments

These are the truly frightening moments. Whether your dog is hit by a car, gets in a fight with another animal, or suffers a medical emergency like seizures or is suddenly unable to breathe, the best thing you can do is keep your cool and follow your emergency plan.

Be aware that your dog is frightened. No matter how sweet or gentle your pet is, an injured dog could snap or struggle in a way that could hurt you or someone else.

  • Have a trusted veterinarian who knows your pet. Your dog needs routine medical care, so it’s good to have a relationship with a vet who can see you in case of an emergency and is familiar with your dog. Having a regular vet is especially crucial if you have an animal with a chronic illness.
  • Have information or know the location of an emergency vet, especially if the emergency occurs after normal vet hours — like the middle of the night.
  • Be ready to administer first aid. In moments when you need to stop bleeding or administer canine CPR, having the tools and knowledge onhand could save your animal’s life.
  • Have your dog’s vet records on hand, tags on their collar, and chip information up to date. If your dog runs away and is hurt, it’s the best way for someone to find you and get them help.
  • Have emergency funds ready to go. Trips to the veterinarian — especially in the middle of the night for emergency services — can be costly. If you don’t have emergency vet money on hand, start saving. Saving money isn’t fun, but it will keep you from having to decide between your dog’s life or paying rent. Some people turn to pet insurance to help with costs, but be scrupulous when looking over terms and analyzing cost-benefits.

Plan for care once you return home

It was scary and expensive, but your vet took care of your dog, and now they’re coming home. How do you take care of your pet once the hard part is over?

  • Follow vet directions to the letter. From medicine to changing bandages, it’s important to make sure everything is done correctly for as long as the vet says. If you have any questions about the care prescribed, be sure to ask!
  • Keep an eye on any surgical sites for signs of infection or other poor healing.
  • Prevent them from scratching or chewing on injuries, stitches or other wounded areas. You can use anything from the traditional cone to fitted clothing to protect injured areas on their body. You can also use their crate to restrict movement.

With extra care, preventative measures and a whole lot of love, your pet will have their best shot at health, happiness, and a long life at your side.

– By A. Lynne Rush

 

Related Posts

  • perfect rescue dog
    Dog inspiration: Perfect rescue dog

    The perfect rescue dog is out there for everybody. You…

  • talk to dogs forget they're not people
    Dog inspiration: Talk to your dog

    When most of us talk to our dogs we tend…

  • Dog inspiration: Owned by a dog

    Nobody can fully understand love unless they are owned by…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: dog medical emergency

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • puppy 101

    Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right

  • Small brown and white dog wears a mask. Dogs and coronavirus: Canines unlikely to catch or transmit the virus to people or other animals, World Small Animal Veterinary Association says.

    Coronavirus and dogs: Can canines get COVID-19?

  • Dogs and other pets on a video conference call. Dog home alone again? If you're preparing to go back to work, get your dog ready. To prevent separation anxiety, use training, treats, and a safe space.

    Ready to go back to work? Prepare your dog to be home alone

Tags

Apartment living Bulldog Service dogs Dog apps Canine autism yoga limping Dog body language Dog temperament Puppy kindergarten Small dogs dalmatian Food aggression Quarantine Canine fitness howling Dog food Doberman Pinscher Petfinder.com Independent dog breeds Dog grief Adopt a dog after a breakup Home renovations Dog names Water Dog senses Dog gifts German shepherd Greyhound Hiking

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Is a Pekingese the right dog for you?
    The Pekingese has a long, silky coat that forms a lion-like mane. These tiny dogs need a high-protein diet and short daily walks. […]
  • What you need to know about the benefits of dog kennels
    Using dog kennels helps boost your dog's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Boarding your dog helps improve socialization skills. […]
  • Is a Japanese Chin the right dog for you?
    The Japanese Chin is a perfect dog for apartment dwellers. The breed needs minimal exercise and loves to cuddle with its owners. […]
  • Understand and work with your dog’s temperament
    A dog’s temperament is indicative of its attitude towards people and other animals and plays a major role in training. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2021 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.