Emergency Vet Care

Emergencies can happen at any time, including to our beloved pets. If your pet ends up in sudden distress, you may find it hard to decide what to do at the moment. You should make sure that you have emergency numbers already on hand. North Shore Animal Hospital in Lynn, MA helps pet parents out by providing emergency vet care services.

When to Take Your Pet In for Emergency Vet Care

You should get help for your dog or cat right away if they experience any trauma, including:

• Falling from a high place
• Physical trauma like getting hit by a car
• Choking
• Rapid body temperature changes
• Seizures
• Extensive bleeding
• Problems standing or walking
• Possible poisoning

Handling Sick or Injured Pets

If your animal is in real distress, you can try rendering first aid in some circumstances. You should keep first aid supplies on hand to help pets in an emergency. Your kit should include items like:

• Gauze
• Non-stick bandages (made for animals)
• Adhesive tape
• Hydrogen peroxide (to make pets vomit)
• Milk of magnesia activated charcoal (poisoning)
• Digital thermometer for fevers
• Eyedropper or needle-free syringe for administering oral medications or to flush wounds
• Leash

Stay calm and approach dogs slowly while saying their name. Stop if they start showing signs of aggression and look for alternative ways to get them to stay calm. Be careful as you lift them in case of any injuries to the neck or spine.

Use a towel or blanket to cover your cat’s head to stop them from biting you. Slowly place your cat into a box or other carrier with an open top. Make sure there is support for your cat’s head or net. Avoid any movements that might cause the animal’s head or neck to twist and cause further injury.

If your pet is bleeding, try applying pressure to the wound. You can try putting your fingers into your pet’s mouth and manually clear their pathway in case of choking. If that doesn’t work, try a modified Heimlich move where you thump your pet’s chest with enough force to dislodge anything blocking their airway. Make sure that any aid rendered does not make your furry friend’s condition worse.

Find Emergency Vet Care in Lynn MA

North Shore Animal Hospital can handle most medical emergencies between 9:00 am-7:00 pm Monday-Thurs and from 9:00 am-5:00 pm on Fridays. Bring your pet right to our doors or call ahead so we can prepare at (781)596- 0510.