BY dr. Ginger Macaulay

We get lots of calls every day from clients asking if they should be bringing their pet in to be seen by a doctor.

Any concern you have for your pet is a reason to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

The sooner we can see a pet, the better chance we have of treatment.

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises immediate veterinary treatment for:

• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop within 5 minutes

• Choking, difficulty breathing or nonstop coughing and gagging

• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine

• Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool), or obvious pain associated with urinating or passing stool

• Eye injuries

• You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)

• Seizures and/or staggering

• Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move limbs

• Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety

• Heat stress or heatstroke

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea – more than 2 episodes in a 24-hour period, or either of these combined with obvious illness or any of the other problems listed here

• Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more

• Unconsciousness

First aid

In some instances, you may not be able to immediately get to your vet.

The AVMA recommends keeping these emergency supplies on hand:

• Phone numbers and your pet’s medical record (including medications and vaccination history)

• Emergency veterinary clinic phone number

• Animal Poison Control Center 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)

• Gauze

• Nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of clean cloth

• Adhesive tape for bandages. Never use human adhesive bandages on pets

• Milk of magnesia, activated charcoal

• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) for dogs only: To induce vomiting. Do not use in cats.

• Digital fever thermometer. Temperatures must be taken rectally.

• Eye dropper or large syringe without needle

• Muzzle

• Leash

• Stretcher

Emergency care

Always use caution when dealing with an injured pet.

Pain, fear, anxiety can lead to bites and scratches.

If your pet is injured:

• Don’t attempt to hug an injured pet. Keep your face away from its mouth.

• Perform any examination slowly and gently. Stop if your animal becomes more agitated.

• Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic before you move your pet.

• Place a muzzle on the pet to reduce the chances you’ll be bitten. Dogs may be muzzled with towels, stockings or gauze rolls.

• Wrap cats and other small animals in a towel to restrain them. Leave its nose uncovered.

• Never muzzle your pet if it is vomiting.

• Stabilize injuries before moving an injured animal by splinting or bandaging them.

• Keep pets confined during transport to reduce the risk of additional injury.

• Always keep your pet’s medical records in a safe, easily accessible place. Bring these with you when you take your pet for emergency treatment.

• Any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care.

Next month I will focus on how to administer first aid to your pet.

For more information on pet first aid, visi www.avma.org, www.veterinarypartners.com, and www.aaha .