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The Body Healer
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Common Pet Injuries

Pet injuryIt is inevitable.  At some point in our pet's life, they will suffer some sort of boo-boo.  While the majority are minor and easily handled, some injuries are more serious, and knowing what to do during emergency situations can help not only reduce the pain your pet experiences, but also promote a quicker recovery and even save their life.

By always keeping a well-stocked pet first aid kit in an easily accessible place, you are helping to make sure you are best equipped to handle any emergencies that may come up.  Learn more about what to include in the first aid kit and about how to read your pet's vital signs.

Build or buy a pet first aid kit... 

If your pet experiences an injury

FIRST:  Stay calm and controlled

Small cuts and upset tummies?   No problem...  But staying calm and controlled is much more difficult when the unthinkable has happened and your beloved pet has suffered a serious injury.  Your immediate actions and how you approach the situation can mean the difference between the life and death of your pet.  Remain as calm as possible, and focus 100% of your attention on the task at hand as much as you can, not on panic or fear.

THEN: Take appropriate action

As the term implies "first" aid is the first treatment you give your pet when an incident occurs.  First aid varies depending on what happened.  Usually, your goal is to call a vet or take your pet to a vet as soon as possible.  But sometimes, there are immediate actions (see below) you can take yourself to prevent further damage from the injury before you can reach a vet.  Examples include inducing vomiting if your dog has swallowed a poisonous substance, or relieving a blocked windpipe from a swallowed object.  These treatments can save your pet's life.

Understand that when a pet is scared or in pain, they may unintentionally bite and may need to be muzzled for both their own safety and yours why you apply first aid.

Let's take a look at some of the most common pet injuries and how we can best treat them. 

Human Foods Toxic to Pets

Here are some of the common foods we may love to eat but which are not healthy for our pets.  These include:

  • Dark & milk chocolate (the darker, the more toxic - see above)
  • Coffee
  • Yeast dough
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Avocado
  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Onions (garlic is NOT toxic for cats or dogs(1) ...read more)
  • Alcohol

 


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