Veterinary emergencies are stressful and frightening for pets and their owners. Pets are susceptible to numerous medical mishaps, but many common emergencies are preventable with proactive care and attention. By understanding potential risks and taking appropriate precautions, you can keep your four-legged friend safe and healthy. Our Peak Pet Urgent Care team provides practical tips for preventing common pet emergencies.
1: Maintain your pet’s preventive care
Regular veterinary visits are essential for early disease detection and prevention. Routine checkups can identify potential problems before they escalate into emergencies. Considerations include:
- Wellness examinations — Pets should have a comprehensive veterinary checkup at least once a year. Senior pets and those affected by chronic conditions may need more frequent evaluations.
- Vaccinations — Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date protects them from infectious diseases that can lead to emergency situations.
- Parasite prevention — Year-round parasite prevention is necessary to safeguard your pet from parasites, such as heartworms, fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms, and the health conditions they cause.
- Dental cleanings — Dental disease is prevalent in pets and can lead to serious health conditions. Schedule regular dental cleanings and practice appropriate at-home dental care to promote your furry pal’s dental health.
2: Prevent your pet’s toxin exposure
Ingestion of toxic substances is a common pet emergency that can lead to life-threatening consequences. Tips to protect your four-legged friend from toxin exposure include:
- Knowing common pet toxins — Educate yourself about common pet toxins so you know what substances are dangerous to your pet.
- Keeping your medications secure — Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are toxic to pets. Keep your medications in a secure location, preferably in a closed cabinet or on a high shelf your pet can’t access.
- Not feeding your pet people food — You may be tempted to share food with your pet, but many common foods, such as chocolate, alcohol, xylitol-containing items, grapes, and onions, are toxic to pets. Feed your pet a nutritious diet appropriate for their species and life stage.
- Storing household items safely — Household products, such as anti-freeze and rodenticides, are especially dangerous to pets. Store harmful household items safely, and when using these products, ensure your pet doesn’t have access to the area.
3: Ensure your pet plays safely
Regular exercise and stimulation are vital for your pet’s physical and mental health, but unsafe play can lead to medical problems. Tips include:
- Keeping your pet leashed — Being hit by a car is a common pet emergency that can lead to serious internal injuries, broken bones, and potentially death. Keep your pet leashed on outings unless they are in a securely fenced area.
- Keeping your cat inside — Indoor cats typically have a much longer life expectancy than outdoor cats because they are protected from hazards such as car accidents, animal fights, infectious disease and parasite exposure, and malicious pranks.
- Providing safe toys — Ensure your pet’s toys are appropriately sized. Offering a small toy to a large pet can lead to a foreign body ingestion. In addition, ensure your pet’s toys are durable. Toys that are easily torn apart can result in small pieces that your pet may swallow. You must also consider the toy’s hardness. Especially hard chew toys, such as bones, antlers, and hooves, can cause dental fractures and mouth injuries.
4: Be prepared for pet emergencies
Despite your best intentions, pet emergencies can happen. Being prepared for these situations can save valuable time and make a critical difference in your pet’s outcome. Tips include:
- Preparing a pet first aid kit — Keep a pet first aid kit at home and in your car. Include items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, tweezers, adhesive tape, and saline eye solution.
- Knowing emergency contacts — Keep our Peak Pet Urgent Care phone number on hand and contact us immediately if your pet experiences a veterinary emergency.
Preventing common pet emergencies requires preparation and regular care. By following these tips, you can reduce your pet’s risk of accidents and health issues. However, if your pet experiences a veterinary emergency, contact our Peak Pet Urgent Care team so we can provide the care they need.
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