Treating Your Pet’s Illness and Pain at Home
Your dog got into it with the neighbor’s cat… again! His nose is bleeding, and he’s limping, but his wide grin and upright wagging tail tell you that he’s okay. Is he all right? Is he in pain? How can you help him? What should you do?
First Aid May Include a Call to the Vet.
Pets do their best to hide illness and pain, so it can be tough for pet owners to know if an injury is serious enough for a visit to the vet. What should you look for to trigger an emergency call?
- Vomiting
- Dislocation
- Profuse bleeding
- Broken bone
- Puffed up face from allergy or exposure to toxins
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizure
- Foam around the mouth
- Disorientation
- Can’t stand or walk
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, call us immediately at (210) 681‑1391. We’ll tell you what first aid measures to take while you get your pet to the clinic.
Are Home Remedies Safe for Pets?
Your veterinarian may have prescribed medications to help your fur baby heal now that he or she is back home. Can you substitute prescribed medications with home remedies?
Never substitute a home remedy for a prescription without approval from your veterinarian.
- Dose amounts may depend on your pet’s weight
- Ingredients may be toxic for your animal
- Human medicine may be poisonous for your pet
What to Have In Your Pet First Aid Kit
- Muzzle—If your pet is in pain, they may bite when you try to help
- Gauze—pads, rolls, and conforming gauze bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Sterile saline solution
- Disposable gloves
- Water bowl and clean water
- Towels—various sizes
- Tweezers and tick removal tool
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- 3% peroxide
- Cotton balls
- Your vet’s emergency phone number!
Signs Your Pet Is in Pain
We want our furry family members to be pain-free whenever possible. Sometimes, though, pets are injured, and they feel pain just like humans do.
Ancestral instincts kick in when pets are injured. They forget they’re safe on the couch in their home. They try to hide pain so predators won’t attack. We think they’re okay when they’re not.
Signs your pet may be in pain:
- Fearful
- Threatening behavior
- Doesn’t want to be touched
- Crying—Cats may yowl or mew when in pain
- Hiding
- Won’t eat or drink
- Nervous
- Limping
- Can’t walk
- Breathing trouble
- Low or no energy
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month
September is the designated month to help educate pet lovers about animal pain. Animals get hurt, and when they do, they can be aggressive toward anyone who tries to help them. Know the signs of animal pain and be prepared.
- It’s okay to muzzle your pet. It’s better to do that than be bitten and unable to help in a crisis.
- It’s smart to wear heavy gloves when handling an injured animal, at least until a muzzle is in place.
- Call your vet immediately to receive the best information about how to help the animal and transport them to get help.
- Learn from your veterinarian about the proper use of pet pain medications.
- Have a terrific veterinarian from Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital on your pet wellness home team!
We’re Here to Help You Help Your Pets
Call us with your pet care questions and in emergencies. Please schedule regular wellness visits so we can catch developing health issues early. We want you and your pets to live happy and healthy lives together!