subject: How to Deal with Pet Trauma [print this page] How to Deal with Pet Trauma How to Deal with Pet Trauma
One of the most basic things you need to be prepared for, as a pet owner, is how to face an emergency. What would you do if your pet got hit by a car? Fell off a building? Or maybe attacked by another animal? Now that you are still calm, keep in mind that during situations involving possible pet trauma, you need to be in control. Your pet is already experiencing anxiety and it will not help if you are adding panic to the already tension-filled environment.
Remember that the primary goal is very simple: to rush your pet to the nearest animal hospital. While this may sound easy, experience proves that people do have difficulty doing this in an actual emergency situation. It is not easy to move an injured animal so be sure you call the vet first. Plan where you can place the contact number of your veterinarian, as well as the animal hospital's address. Place it somewhere visible for the people in your house.
Animals experiencing trauma, more often than not, always tend to move around incessantly. They typically run away from their owner because they are still scared. DO NOT CHASE THEM. Chasing animals experiencing pet trauma will only make them run further. Think strategic. Slowly surround your pet and get the pet to come your way. Once you get close enough, slip a leash or rope around its neck. You can also try using blankets as some form of a net.
It will also not hurt if you know basic pet first aid. You can read books and online sites for animal first aid tips. If possible, discuss this with your veterinarian so that he can do some demonstrations and readily answer your queries. For instance, you should know what to do if the animal has major open wounds. Open wounds can lead to death due to blood loss. Ask your vet on how to make a pressure bandage and how to properly place it on the wound. You can also a tourniquet in case of fractures and sprains. Just remember that the maximum time a tourniquet should be applied is 20 minutes after the incident. If left too long, there is a possibility that blood flow to the leg will stop and the leg could die.
Upon arrival at the animal hospital, your vet will probably stabilize your pet and treat it for shock. This is normally done using IV fluids and medications like sedatives. Routine pet emergency procedures also entail X-ray procedures and blood checking. Additional tests may be conducted they suspect other injuries other than those that are obviously seen. Depending on the animal's condition, the veterinarian can do surgery after the patient is stabilized from trauma.
Of course, prevention is better than cure. Make sure that you are a responsible pet owner first and foremost.
