You should be prepared for your pet becoming ill or injured; your pet is, after all, an important part of your family. Being prepared for an unexpected emergency can be of benefit to your pet in the period before seeing the vet. As well as being informed and educated on what to do in the event of a pet emergency, it’s wise to ensure that you keep up to date with your pet insurance payments – just in case.

Choking.

Choking is a common problem and knowing the signs of choking can help you be prepared.If your pet’s mouth is obstructed, choking will occur. All sorts of things can get stuck in a cat’s or dog’s mouth because both classes of animals show great curiosity. Balls, bones, pieces of wood, stones – any of these are likely to end up in the animal’s mouth.

An over-tight collar or rope, or an allergic reaction to something causing the throat to swell can also cause choking. Evidence of choking will include gagging, difficulty in breathing or swallowing or pawing at their face. The first thing to do is to remove any thing constricting their neck like a collar.

Look for and remove any foreign object in the animal’s mouth. If you can’t see any obstruction, a small pet can be suspended with its head pointing down. By lifting up a heavy animal’s hind legs you can ensure that its head is kept lowered. Sometimes a sharp hit with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades can work, but by no means should you try this unless you know what you are doing. Your pet should be looked at by a vet notwithstanding the fact that you have removed the obstruction. This will ensure that no internal injuries were caused.

Bleeding.

Pressure must be applied upon the area from which your pet’s blood is coming. By putting a towel, a clean one, over the wound and applying gentle pressure, the blood flow can be contained. Elevating the area can also slow down the bleeding. Make sure that the area is wrapped in a towel and is held in place by tape. Immediately after this you must seek the help of a vet.

Pet Collapses.

First of all don’t become hysterical. Before taking your pet to the vet make sure that you have carried out a very careful examination. It’s important that you can recall what happened before and after the collapse, and how long it lasted. Such observations will enable the vet to make a diagnosis.

Listen for a heartbeat from the dog’s left side if it loses consciousness. Never forget the importance of handling your pet very cautiously. They may be confused, aggressive or disoriented. They may strike out or bite you unintentionally because of fear or pain. As soon as you can, you must seek medical assistance for your pet.

Fractures.

Fractured or broken bones are usually caused by a trauma of some kind. Falling heavily or being hit by a car are amongst the causes. If you think your pet may have a broken or fractured bone, be sure to restrict activity and try to keep them quiet and calm. Use a clean cloth to cover any open wound you might see.

To avoid being bitten or scratched by an injured pet in pain, take appropriate precautions. As quickly as you can take your pet in a box or crate to the vet. You might easily cause additional injury to your pet by attempting to fix the fracture yourself, so don’t try.

Limping or Lameness.

Limping can be caused by all sorts of things. A broken bone or a slight sprain could be amongst these causes. First of all make sure that the limping isn’t the result of a thorn or splinter in their paw. You should keep your pet quiet and indoors if its limping is intermittent.

If the lameness lasts more than one day, you should take your pet to see the vet. Medication for your pet should never be given unless you have first consulted with the vet. The kinds of medicines that can be bought over the counter for human use can be very dangerous for pets.

Of the many pet health emergencies that you might encounter these are just a few of the most common. Unfortunately there are many situations such as these where you may need to check the terms of your pet insurance policy carefully. Always remember how vital it is that you don’t panic. The appropriate treatment for your pet will be obtained if you calmly and intelligently appraise the situation. You should always seek help from a vet for your pet if you are unsure as to what you should do.

Although a holiday can provide you with loads of fun, leaving your pet back at home can be distressing. These tips might help ease any worries you may have.

At last, as June is here, summer holidays are no longer a distant and vague dream. However, some owners may be preoccupied with worries over pet health care for their furry friends while they are jetting off somewhere hot.

Whilst you are on holiday your pet can remain at home with a sitter, go to live in a friend’s house or go to a cattery or kennel.

Whichever of these methods you choose, the suggestions below should relieve you of some of your concerns.

Choosing a kennel or cattery.

When selecting a facility to take care of your precious pet dog or cat, it might be worth making sure you are fully versed with the procedures and practices involved in the centre. You should get a full understanding of what a place is like by visiting it lots of times before you leave your pet there. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the carers and how they are going to look after your pet’s various needs. If you have any misgivings about where you are about to leave your pet, don’t leave him there. Some facilities even have special pet webcams which allow you to see your pooch or moggy playing and relaxing, so why not enquire about this?

Finding a sitter?

Whatever carer you choose – friend or paid professional – you should spend time with them and your pet before you go. By doing this you will allow the pet and its carer to get to know each other and provide yourself with the corresponding reassurance.

What to leave behind.

It’s a good idea to provide your pet’s carer with such information as emergency contacts, veterinary records, diet, routines and any idiosyncrasies. Ensure that your pet insurance details are within the documents supplied. Think hard – things you may take for granted, such as knowing your animal does not like to be bothered while it is eating, could be something useful for its carer so make sure you make a note of such matters. Provide your pet with the reassurance of having some familiar item that smells of you and home.

Making separation easy.

ASPCA, the American cat and dog rescue organisation, claims that when the owner leaves, many animals, particularly dogs, can become distressed. This can be upsetting for everybody involved, particularly if the pooch manifests its anxiety through destructive or physical symptoms. Pet health care experts at the association recommend getting any tics – such as nervous urination – checked out at the vets before leaving to rule out any biological issues. Take the professionals’ advice and avoid upsetting your pet by subjecting him to an emotional and dramatic greeting or farewell. Your pet will accept your departure far more readily if you suppress your emotions and leave quietly.

The following tips will help you to decide what to do about the possible problems your pet might encounter now that summer approaches.

Now spring has sprung and April showers may be pouring down on owners everywhere, it could be a good idea to ensure you have the best pet health care plan in place for your four-legged friends this season.

Easter has just passed, leaving many of us with mountains of uneaten chocolate and festive confectionery – all of which can be a welcome addition as we wait for May flowers to bloom. Because these goodies are harmful to dogs and cats you’ll have to ignore any special pleading from your dog. The last thing you need is a sick pet and a claim on your pet insurance. Instead, why not spoil him with some specially-prepared pet treats?

Spring cleaning is as distasteful to pets as it is to their owners. Strong chemicals, back-breaking work and rearranging furniture can all be a source of stress to animals. To make it easier, why not confine your kitty or pup to a smaller room while you reorganise another?

The use of natural cleaning agents like vinegar and baking soda will make the spring clean a much less unpleasant task for your pet than if you use harsh agents.

Your dog is likely to find himself left in the garden for longer periods as the weather improves. However, before allowing your pet outside without supervision, you should always check to make sure fences and gates are fully functional with no gaps or breaks for your furry friend to squeeze through.

Taking pets out in the car for long spring journeys requires knowledge of the dangers this poses.

It has been noted by the pet health care centre that inner ear or eye injuries and lung infections can be caused by flying debris and insects, and that serious injuries or worse can be caused by sudden stops or turns.

You could easily be distracted if your animal crawls around the vehicle, so make sure it has a safe and spacious carrier for travelling. If your pet got in the way of the brake pedal by climbing onto the driver’s seat, a very dangerous situation could arise.

Placing the container on the front seat will also remind you to take your furry friend in with you when the vehicle stops – leaving an animal in a car on a hot day can quickly lead to fatal consequences. If this is not possible, make sure that a named passenger is responsible for taking the pet out of the car.

If you are planning to take your pet on holiday with you, remember to check the terms of your pet insurance, as a good policy will include some vet’s fees cover whilst abroad.

Keep your pet in good condition by following these simple tips and you’ll be able to enjoy your time with your pet this spring and summer!