Nobody loves a pet the way their owner does. One of the components of this unconditional love is offering good vet care and going to scheduled routine checkups. It’s equally critical to understand if the animal has health issues and how to help them after an intervention or during an emergency.
1. Scheduled vet visits. When coming to the doctor, they might ask for basic information about your furry friend, in particular if you’re coming to the doctor’s office for a first appointment. Be sure to bring information on :
- the type and amount of meds they take
- the way you feed them.
- WC habits.
- fresh bug bites.
- medical info + vaccination information.
- dog or cat dna test (if you have one)
Don’t forget that doctor appointments can stress out your pet. Take some meaningful items with you. Ask your doctor if the animal can have their usual meal before the appointment – sometimes, the doctor might ask for the pets to have an empty stomach. If it is permitted, bring some treats with you.
When coming to the clinic, remember that, if your pet is not friendly towards other animals, it might be a better idea to stay in the car or outside until the doctor can meet you. It would also be a great idea to call the clinic in advance to find out if there are any delays in the appointment schedule.
Be clear about your financial possibilities. This will aid the doctor in understanding what examination to go through. It is also worth understanding how much you can spend if there is a need for a treatment following the examination. Don’t be scared to ask questions or write down notes, that is what a veterinarian is for.
2. Accidents. There are times when immediate help is required. For example:
- Labored breathing.
- Paralysis.
- Convulsions or loss of consciousness.
- Persistent vomiting for 1+ day.
- Traumas (for example, a collision with a car or a heavy object).
- Bleedings from different places.
- Possible bone fracture.
- The animal was exposed to chemicals
3. Pet care after seeing the veterinarian. What should one do after their pet has been to the doctor’s? It all revolves around their state. After the examination, you might possibly have to only reschedule your next visit. If the pet has a health problem or there is an urgency, the doctor will tell you what to look out for. The veterinarian should also explain the rules of meds administration for the pet.
What should be done in case of an emergency
If your pet’s state worsens, you should immediately contact your vet clinic. Still, there is not always time for this! The main thing we always remember: do no harm!
Emergency help
Symptoms that require the help of a specialist within 1 hour! (Contact your nearest veterinarian as soon as possible or call an emergency veterinarian for help)
Acute Gastric Distention – Vet help needed within 1 hour!
Severe arterial bleeding – Depending on the degree of bleeding, veterinary attention is needed within 45 minutes.
Difficulty breathing – Depending on the cause, veterinary attention is needed within 1 hour! Provide fresh air as well as possible.
Epilepsy – Vet help needed within 30 minutes!
The owner is required to:
– Create a calm environment (for example, do not make noise, do not make sharp movements, curtain the windows so that bright light does not enter the room);
– Ventilate the room;
– Make sure that the dog does not choke on its own saliva or vomit.
Until the attack of epilepsy passes, the owner should always be near the dog, carefully supporting their head, not pressing. If possible, put a soft pillow or bed under the head so that the dog does not hit their head during the seizures, which can cause additional injury. In the event that the attack does not stop for several hours or is accompanied by a severe fever, you should take the pet to the doctor or, if this is not possible, call a specialist at home.
Respiratory arrest – immediate veterinary attention required! Resuscitation is effective only in an acute case (in the absence of specific diseases in young animals). Artificial respiration – alternately squeezing and expanding the chest, due to which air is sucked into the lungs and pushed out of them. Unclench the dog’s jaws, keep the tongue out. Place the pet on its stomach, stretch the paws forward, place the head on them. Artificial respiration can be carried out, kneeling over the pet and placing the palms on the sides of the chest. It is necessary, leaning forward, to squeeze the chest, and, straightening up, to ease the pressure on the chest.
The time of each compression is 2-3 seconds. The frequency of pressing is 14-24 times per minute. Artificial respiration should be carried out for a long time, until the appearance and establishment of breathing. In case of anaphylactic shock, electric shock, collapse, and other cases where cardiac arrest may occur, it is necessary to perform chest compressions in combination with artificial respiration.
Hypothermia – Veterinary assistance required within 1 hour! Measure the temperature (rectally), cover with a blanket, apply an artificial heat source to the back.
Major Injury – Vet attendance needed within 1 hour!
Ingestion of Toxic Substances – Immediate veterinary assistance needed! While waiting for the veterinarian, you must:
1) Induce vomiting, inject enterosorbents into the stomach: charcoal, enterodes, polysorb
2) Accurately determine the toxic substance, its chemical formula and dose!
The main thing: if something is bothering you, do not be afraid to call and ask. The clinic staff will either give you advice on what to do or reassure you that there is nothing to worry about!
