As a dog owner, you must react quickly your pet needs immediate medical assistance. Some medical problems can wait – such as itchy skin, diarrhea, or a urinary tract infection – but a fracture or an injury that causes bleeding means you need to take your dog to an emergency animal hospital even if it’s the middle of the night.
Don’t Wait Until an Emergency to Find a Hospital
Choosing the right vet is important because you never know when your dog may need immediate medical attention. Remember, not all vets are suitable for your beloved dog. Ask your dog-owning friends for referrals, meet dog trainers or groomers and check your state’s veterinary association’s page to shortlist a few veterinary specialists.
Before you make a decision, it is important to ensure that the clinic or hospital can handle emergencies and offer boarding as well. It is also a good idea to see if the hospital offers any payment plans in case your dog has expensive emergencies. Keep these points in mind and you will be able to find a good animal hospital where you can take your pet in emergencies.
How to Transport Your Dog to a Hospital
Now you know where to go if your dog is injured and needs immediate attention. The next issue is transportation. Many people find it difficult to transport an injured dog to an emergency animal hospital in Bowie. They don’t want to aggravate the injury or get hurt while carrying their dogs. Here’s how to do it:
* Call your emergency animal clinic first and explain your dog’s injury. They may share some first-aid tips to help alleviate the pain. Moreover, this will let your vet know that a wounded animal is on the way, so they can prepare for its arrival.
* If possible, ask someone else to drive the car. It is better if the distracted dog owner doesn’t take the wheel and sits with the dog instead.
* Muzzle your dog before you move it. Even the gentlest dog may bite if you hurt it while transporting. Once you’re in the car and your dog seems settled, you may remove the muzzle.
* If you see bleeding, you may want to apply pressure to the wound with a padded bandage. This will minimize blood loss.
* For a broken limb, you should wrap a bath towel around it and secure it with tape. This will limit movement and reduce pain as well. Always support the fractured bone on either side to ensure it doesn’t bend awkwardly. Just don’t try to splint it.
* If you have a small dog, you can also transport it in a size-appropriate box.
Keep these important pointers in mind and you will be able to transport your injured dog to an emergency hospital with little problem. For more information you can visit Gambrills Veterinary Center.
