Are You Prepared for a Pet Emergency?
Let’s face it, cats are curious, adorably playful, and sometimes a tad mischievous, which means they can get themselves into some sticky situations. Being prepared for a cat emergency and knowing how to administer pet first aid can keep a minor injury from escalating into something major.
In honor of National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, the team at Cat Care of Vinings has put together some helpful information for the pet families in our community.
Recognizing a Veterinary Emergency
Contact us or the nearest emergency center if your cat is experiencing the following:
- Labored breathing
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- A known trauma (such as being attacked by another animal)
- Significant bleeding
- Sudden paralysis
- Inability to pee or poop
- Known ingestion of a toxin
- Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
- Uncontrollable coughing
- Difficulty delivering kittens
Pet First Aid Kits
A pet first aid kit is a great resource to have on hand so you can administer immediate help until you get your pet to the veterinarian.
Keep the following items in a plastic tote marked “pet first aid kit:”
Emergency Contact Names and Numbers
- Your pet’s veterinarian
- The nearest 24-hour emergency hospital
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
Medical Supplies
- Soft towels/blankets to keep your pet warm. These can also be used to move a cat that is unable to walk.
- Latex-free disposable gloves to protect you and your cat from contamination
- Blunt-tipped scissors for trimming away fur and for cutting gauze and tape
- Tweezers (for foreign object removal)
- Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
- Alcohol wipes
- Sterile saline solution to clean out wounds
- Styptic powder to help stop mild bleeding
- Eye wash
- Gauze pads, bandage tape, or self-cling bandage wrap made for pets (Never use human Band-Aids® or similar products on your cat.)
- Plastic dropper or bulb syringe for flushing wounds or administering fluids
Helpful Medications
Keep the following medications in your pet first aid kit in case your cat ingests something toxic, but NEVER use these medications without permission from a veterinarian:
- Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting
- Milk of magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison in your cat’s stomach
- Benadryl to treat severe allergic reactions
Learn Pet CPR
In the event that a pet stops breathing, contact us or the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital. We will walk you through how to perform life-saving measures until you can transport your cat to a hospital.
Information about pet CPR is available on the following websites:
Make Good Health a Top Priority
Don’t wait for an emergency to take your cat to the vet. Prevention is the best protection against serious illnesses that can result in medical emergencies. Be sure to stay on top of your cat’s routine wellness and preventive care visits.
Please contact us for more emergency preparedness tips or to schedule an appointment at our cats only practice.
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…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.
I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.
I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.