If your pet is injured, it may be difficult to assess their injuries without them lashing out in pain or fear. Here are some tips for safely handling an injured pet so that you can transport them to your local veterinary hospital for care:
Approach Your Pet Slowly and Calmly
Approach your pet slowly and calmly to prevent them from panicking and running away or further injuring himself. Speak to your pet quietly and calmly and try to use food or a treat to distract them. Approach your pet from the side with your head down and avoid eye contact.
Prevent Your Pet from Moving
In order to evaluate your pet’s injuries, you’ll need to prevent them from moving. If possible, use a leash, muzzle, harness, towel, or other method of restraint to gently immobilize your pet.
Evaluate the Injury
Look for signs of broken bones, bleeding, tissue injuries, and wounds or damage to your pet’s legs and/or paws. Your main goal is to determine how emergent the injury is, and if there is any first aid you can render before taking your pet to the veterinary hospital.
Render Quick First Aid
If your pet is bleeding, use a clean cloth to apply pressure and prevent further blood loss. If your pet is wounded, flush the wound with clean water or saline and remove dirt, glass, gravel, or other foreign objects from the wound. Then wrap it lightly with a clean cloth. If your pet has a broken bone, try to stabilize it with a splint fashioned from stiff cardboard or a piece of wood secured with string or cloth.
Transport Your Pet to a Veterinary Hospital
No matter how minor the injury seems, a veterinary hospital is the safest place for an injured pet to receive care. A veterinarian will be able to determine the extent of your pet’s injuries and provide safe, effective care in a sterile environment. Your pet may need x-rays, medication, stitches, or even surgery.
If your pet has been injured, visit the closest veterinary hospital that offers 24/7 emergency care.
