Fast action and keeping calm may be the difference between life and death for your sick or injured animal. We share our tips for dealing with pet emergencies.

At some point in your pet's life, it's possible he or she may face a serious, life-threatening incident. It could be a car accident or a deadly bite from an insect or snake; they might have eaten something they shouldn't or be in pain from a problem that you didn't know about. Here are our five steps for taking swift action when your pet's in trouble.

1. Look for tell-tale signs that your pet's not OK

Common situations that require immediate attention from a vet include broken bones, severe wounds, poisoning, heat stroke, paralysis ticks, and reactions to other animal bites or stings.¹ You should never delay seeing a vet if you suspect that your pet is suffering from something serious.

Broken bone

A broken bone could be visible or not, and generally indicated by pain or lameness. A suspected break or fracture will need quick review from a vet.² The same applies for wounds that won't stop bleeding,² and severe pain or swelling. If you know that your pet has been hit by a car or attacked by another dog, and only appears to be in shock, visit the vet to assess injuries that might not be obvious: internal bleeding, damage to organs or the head.1 Some issues may not become apparent for 12-24 hours’ post-incident.¹

Poisoning

Telltale symptoms of poisoning include:

Vomiting
Nosebleeds
Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Bloody urine

If you suspect your pup has been exposed to common dog poisons or your cat has ingested something dangerous – (including some plants and certain human foods),³ it's essential to seek assistance. Poisoning can pass with minimal consequences but it could also be fatal; it can be immediate or take several days to affect your pet. Taking some of the suspected material along with you to the vet could assist with diagnosis and treatment.⁴

Heat stroke

Heat stroke might be noticeable by breathing distress, very red or very pale gums, drooling, seizures, agitation, collapsing, very low urine production, shaking, and vomiting, among other symptoms.⁵

Paralysis tick bite

If your pet is scratching, vomiting, showing signs of paralysis or muscle weakness, and/or has a fever, you need to act immediately to prevent a paralysis tick bite becoming fatal.

Snake Bite

Signs of a snake bite might include:

Collapse
Muscle twitching
Loss of bladder/bowel control
Dilated pupils
Vomiting
Paralysis
Blood in urine⁶

If you can identify the snake, take note of the type but do not try to catch the snake; testing at the vets can take place to determine the correct anti-venom.⁶

2. Keep yourself safe

You are your pet's first responder; they rely on you to get them the help they need. To do this, you need to ensure you are kept safe while assisting an injured or sick animal.

Consider the risk to yourself in the situation before acting.
For example, if the animal has been hit by a car, ensure that traffic is safe for you to intervene and move the animal from the road.² If your pet is drowning, it is best to try rescue from land rather than entering the water yourself.⁷ It is sensible to wear gloves when treating a wound, tick or bite to prevent yourself from harm or disease.⁸ As you may be experiencing shock yourself, take care driving between home or the accident and the vets.

Remember that an injured or distressed pet may behave very differently to the animal you're used to.²
They may bite in their panicked state and you will need to approach them gently and calmly to protect your pet and yourself.¹ Using or make shifting a muzzle may be advised with a stressed dog, provided that the animal is not experiencing breathing difficulties.¹⁰

3. First aid for an injured pet: before the vet's

In the immediacy of an emergency, the initial steps you take could save your dog or cat's life. Keep your vet's contact details in your phone, and have another animal hospital on call as a backup. In an emergency, have someone call the vet, explain the situation and await instructions on first aid and transport. Doing this will also help the clinic prepare for your pet's arrival.¹

4. Transport your injured pet safely

Whether it's a short trip or a long drive to the vet, you'll need to prepare your pet for a comfortable and safe ride.
If you expect bones are broken, keep them as still as possible. You can try splinting or bandaging injuries before moving them.⁹ If you think damage is to the spine, you can use a wooden board, the parcel shelf of your car, a thick blanket or door as a stretcher for a large dog.⁷ Use a pet carrier to move small animals but ensure your patient has enough air. Keep them warm and in eyesight - if, available, bring someone to sit in the back to monitor and reassure the pet.

Bringing something familiar to the dog or cat like a blanket or toy could help keep them calm.⁷ Newspaper, old towels and disinfectant could be recommended to clean the car after your trip to the vet.¹¹

5. Have an action plan in place

Being prepared can mean all the difference in an emergency action plan running smoothly.

Have your plan in writing, and shared with members of your household.
If you go on holiday or leave your pet in the care of someone else, they too need to have a copy of your plan and contact details of your preferred vet clinics for business hours and after hours. Part of this plan may include steps for taking your pet with you in a disaster.¹¹

Have your pet's medical records in an easy to access place, and bring these with you in an emergency.⁹
Ensure your local authorities animal registration details are kept up to date with your contact details in the case that your pet is found.¹¹

If your animal faces a life-threatening accident or illness, getting them to a vet quickly and safely is crucial for survival. Life-saving treatment, surgeries and recovery could cost a considerable amount without pet insurance, which can help you claim up to 85% of eligible vet bills back*. With joint accident and illness cover or accident-only policies available, Choosi can help you make pet insurance part of your plan for dealing with pet emergencies. Get in touch with Choosi’s team of Choosers for a quote and more information.

*Pre-existing conditions are excluded and sub-limits may apply.

This is general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the relevant PDS available on this website prior to purchasing any product. Choosi offers insurance products from a range of brands but does not compare all products available in the market.

References

1. Merck Vet Manual, Emergency care for dogs and cats, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/special_subjects/emergencies/emergency_care_for_dogs_and_cats.html
2. Macarthur Vet, Common Emergencies, http://www.macarthurvet.com.au/PetCare/GeneralPetCare/CommonEmergencies/tabid/24724/Default.aspx
3. Victoria State Government, Pets: Dog Health, http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/dog-health
4. Victoria State Government, Pets: Common Dog Poisons, http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/dog-health/common-dog-poisons
5. South Australian State Emergency Service, HeatSafe: Pets & Animals, http://www.ses.sa.gov.au/site/community_safety/heatsafe/pets_animals.jsp
6. RSPCA Knowledge Base 2014, My pet has been bitten by a snake, what should I do?, http://kb.rspca.org.au/my-pet-has-been-bitten-by-a-snake-what-should-i-do_444.html
7. ACS Distance Education, Treating Dog Injuries, http://www.acs.edu.au/info/pets/pet-care/treating-dog-injuries.aspx
8. The Humane Society of the United States, Getting a tick off your dog, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/getting_ticks_off_dog.html
9. American Veterinary Medical Association, Basic tips for handling an injured pet, https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Handling-an-Injured-Pet.aspx
10. Vets Now, For pet owners: My dog has been hit by a car, what should I do? https://www.vets-now.com/pet-owners/dog-care-advice/my-dog-has-been-hit-by-a-car,-what-should-i-do
11. Queensland Government, Get Ready Queensland: Pet emergency plan, http://getready.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/07_Pet-emergency-plan.pdf

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