Veterinary Care – Deal with a wounded pet
Innumerable pets fall victim to injuries and accidents each year. Such wounds are often fatal. There isn’t a specific data for this, but approximately more than one million dogs get killed when hit by cars in America, on a yearly basis.
Pet owners need to know the common injuries that pets fall victim to and measures they should take. This article will deal with this issue and will focus on Dogs and Cats, the most common pets in the US.
- Approaching a wounded pet
A wounded pet is generally frightened, and distrustful. As such, it can bite or lash out anyone coming near them. Approach them slowly, and with a friendly tone. Don’t rush them. Keep your face away from them, as they might suddenly bite it in panic.
If your pet is not vomiting, it would be better to put a muzzle on its mouth, to prevent sudden bites. Examine them, but back off if they become agitated. If the injuries are open, a bandage or splinter will stabilize them, and then head to the vet.
While transporting them to the Vet, keep them in a box, or some other enclosed area to prevent further injuries.
- Some common pet injuries
All accidents are unexpected. But, some occur in pets more than others. Some common injuries are: The common ones include:
● Eye trauma: Dogs and Cats can receive scratches to the eyes during fights or other hustle. If your pet is blinking or tearing excessively, then it might be cause for a visit to the vet. Injuries of the eye may not appear to be major but are a cause for alarm.
● Ingestion of foreign items: Pets ingest unwanted items randomly.While benign in many instances, it might cause them to diarrhea or throw up. If your pet has vomited repeatedly and refuses any food for 24 hours, you should take them to a vet. If they take to eating after throwing up a couple of times, don’t give them food for 24 hours or so. If the vomiting and diarrhea don’t subside, take them to the vet.
● Damaged nails: When dogs’ nails overgrow, they can break accidentally. The resultant bleeding causes great pain and may lead to infection if left untreated. Septic, baking powder or flour will deal with the blood clot.
● Dehydration: Dehydration and heat strokes are common for older dogs. Signs of this include lethargy, dryness of the mouth, and sunken eyes. Any sickly animal that has been throwing up and not eating well, may get dehydrated.
● Animal bites and scratches: Pets can sometimes fight with other animals. They might get scratched, have lacerations, or bitten. Clean the wound with antiseptics and dress the wound properly. Bites on the abdomen and chest are a particular cause for concern. Even when the bites are shallow, a vet’s attention is needed.
● Hit by a car: This can lead to minor trauma or even instant death.In the US, more than one million dogs are killed by cars annually. In such an instance, cover your pet with a wet towel, and dress any obvious wound. Take them to the vet. Diaphragmatic tears or Internal bleeding usually go undetected for days.
● Cat bite abscesses: Fighting of cats is a cause of concern. Clots of tissue appear over the bites, and this will trap bacteria and contaminants in them.
Open Wounds Need an Emergency Vet!
A wound that is contaminated and which has occurred in about some hours ago should be covered. A puncture wound can lodge bacteria inside your pet’s body. The dead and contaminated tissue should all be removed before closing the wound.
This is the reason why vets at times recommend that you leave that wound open until you get to the clinic. Once there, the vets will lance the abscesses under heavy sedation. A latex drain will be placed to prevent the wound from closing too fast.
In general, wounds should be closed and dressed as soon as possible. However, when the infection is deep, debridement is important. If a wound can’t be surgically closed, the veterinarian may just use bandages to contain it. Here, the dog will be given some antibiotics like cefazolin and amoxicillin-clavulanate.
On being discharged, proper care of the pet will be needed back home. The injury and the area close will need to be disinfected. An E-collar will prevent them from licking their wounds.
For the cleaning of the wound, a gentle massage around it will help in drainage. This will prevent the wound from opening prematurely. If the wound is thick and colored as opposed to thin and clear, take them to the vet if it persists for a few days.
Warm tap water or saline solution is best for cleaning all wounds. Don’t use alcohol, shampoo, tea tree oil, or Hydrogen peroxide to clean an open wound.
Some first aid measures by Licensed Vets
First aid for some complications that affect the health of animals include:
● Poison or exposure to toxins: If your pet has ingested something harmful, or is having seizures, difficulty breathing, or losing consciousness, then call the Animal Poison Control CenterHotline – 888.426.4435.
● Seizures: Take away any harmful items that are close by that may cause more harm to the injury. Keepthemsomewhere warm and soft until you can take them to the vet.
● Fractures: Muzzle your pet. Lay them on a flat surface for support. While transport to the vet, use a stretcher. Apply a splint to support broken limbs. However, a bad splint may end up causing more harm.
● Burns: Muzzle the animal and apply ice water.
● Heatstroke: Apply a cold water towel around the animal. Change and re-wrap it every few minutes. Keep a water hose running on its body to cool it.
Finding a vet in Philadelphia
Take the wounded pet to the vet. Make sure they are accredited by the AAHA and have sufficient diagnostic and surgical equipment to take care of your pet.
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