Animals often attempt to mask signs of sickness as an instinct for protection in the wild. Any subtle change in your pet’s behavior or appearance could signal illness. Some signs to look for include:
- Hiding
- Loss of appetite or decrease in water intake
- Decrease in activity level or energy
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Blood in the stool or urine
- Seizures
- Abdominal bloating
- Inability or straining to defecate or urinate
- Excessive licking or scratching of the body
- Foul odor from the ears, mouth, or skin
- Limping
- Abnormal vocalization
What To Do If Your Pet Is Sick or Injured
Seeing a distressed or injured pet can make you feel helpless, especially if you have never dealt with one before. Since injured or depressed pets could be scared, confused, or in pain, it is crucial to act appropriately by ensuring they see a veterinarian for a medical checkup.
It is vital to know the signs that need immediate veterinary attention. Signs that indicate an emergency include serious trauma, inability to urinate, a bloated abdomen, excessive vomiting, excessive bleeding, seizures, difficulty swallowing or breathing, inability to stand up, and not drinking. A veterinarian should address less severe symptoms within 48 hours.
A pet owner should take care to avoid being bitten by a pet, even if it has no history of biting people, it might do so when injured. The owner may need to immobilize the pet till they get to a veterinarian. Moreover, you can acquire a muzzle to prevent your pet from biting while transported to a veterinarian.
In emergency circumstances, like when a pet is hit by a vehicle, the animal might be seriously bleeding. In such situations, it is vital to reduce blood flow. You can apply a tourniquet to the limb until blood flow has eased to a trickle. Avoid completely blocking blood flow so that the limb can maintain some blood supply.
Additionally, you can apply external pressure over a bleeding site (say using a towel) until the animal gets to a veterinarian. In circumstances where you can see a bleeding vessel, you can hold off with your fingers while you transport the pet.
Once you have taken your injured or sick pet to a veterinarian, you might require to continue medical care at your home in the form of special foods, supportive physical care, or medication. The following are some tips on how to care for a sick or injured pet:
- Ensure you know the right dose and how to administer the medications prescribed by the veterinarian. Your veterinarian knows that medicating a sick pet is challenging, and thus your veterinarian should give you some extra coaching or a demonstration.
- Keep the sick pet in a quiet environment. Ensure other pets and young kids do not disturb the animal. You may need to keep your sick pet in a separate room or area of the house.
- If the veterinarian has prescribed a special diet for the sick pet, ensure you feed it separately from other pets. Moreover, ensure your household members know the pet’s dietary needs.
Is your pet sick or injured, and are you wondering where to take it for specialized attention? Sunnyside Pet Hospital focuses on wellness exams, spay and neutering, vaccinations, tick and flea control, dentistry, and pet microchips. We offer excellent customer service and personalized visits to our clients. Call (559) 251-2463 or email us at http://sunnysidepetca.com for more information.
