Keep Your Furry Family Member Safe With These First Aid Tips
Home Care in White Plains NY
For many people, pets are more than just animals; they are members of the family. We name them, feed them, bathe them, and sometimes buy outfits for them. Seniors who receive elder care may
also have a close bond with their furry family member because it gives elders a companion throughout the day and something to care for now that all of the children are grown. If something were to their pets, fear and sadness are the first to emotions that come to mind. The best way to prepare for unfortunate accidents is to have some basic pet first aid knowledge. If your aging parent is physically or mentally unable to help their pet during an emergency situation, having an in-home care specialist may be able to provide first aid to your pet before it is too late. Here are some scenarios and pet first aid tips every pet owner needs to know.
Exposure to Poisons or Toxins
Your elderly loved one may be spending the day cleaning their home, failing to put away the cleaning solutions when the job is done. This small act of forgetfulness could be fatal to any animal that mistakes it for water or food. Some symptoms to look for are:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing
The first thing you need to do is contact the vet as soon as possible. Next, contact the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 with the following information readily available:
- Sex, species, breed, number of animals involved, weight
- The symptoms your pet is experiencing
- Name and description of product consumed by the animal
- The product should also be readily available for reference
For a complete list of household hazards, check out this brochure from AVMA.
Bleeding (External and Internal)
If your loved one has a pet that enjoys being outdoors, there is a good chance they may come home with a scratch or worse. If the animal is externally bleeding, make sure to follow this procedure:
- Muzzle the pet
- Keep pressure on the wound by pressing a clean, thick gauze over it. Continue putting pressure on it until the blood begins to clot.
- Severe bleeding on the legs should be covered with a tourniquet, such as a gauze or elastic band, between the wound and the body. A bandage should then be pressed over the wound. The tourniquet should be loosened every 20 seconds for 15-20 minutes until the bleeding has lessened.
- If the bleeding could be fatal, contact the veterinarian immediately.
Internal bleeding may be evident if the pet has any of these symptoms:
- Rectum, nose, or mouth bleeding
- Coughing up blood
- Pale gums
- Blood in urine
- Weak or rapid pulse
Keep the animal as warm as possible, while also keeping the environment as calming and quiet as possible. The pet should then be taken to the veterinarian.
Choking
Humans are not the only ones who could choke; it can also happen to animals. Symptoms of choking include:
- Increased pawing at the mouth
- Trouble breathing
- Choking sounds when breathing or coughing
- The lips or tongue begin to turn blue
When this happens, look into the pet’s mouth to find out what object may be obstructing his airway, while being careful not to get bit. If possible, try to remove the object with tweezers. If it is not easy to reach, do not waste any more time trying and contact the veterinarian as soon as possible. If the pet collapses, apply firm, quick pressure to their ribs by placing both hands on his side. You can also lay the pet on his side, firmly striking the rib cage with your palm 3 or 4 times to help push the object out.
If your loved one is receiving senior care and has a pet, this animal is probably like family to them. Knowing how to handle possible life-threatening scenarios will help keep the animal around for years to come.
If you or an aging loved one are looking for home care in White Plains, NY, call the friendly staff at The Perfect Home Care at (855) 855-5728. Call today!
Source
AVMA. “Pet first aid – Basic procedures.”
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