When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
What To Do If Your Cat Has Been Hit By A Car
Lucy Grant
If your cat is run over by a car, it's likely that your pet has suffered serious trauma, and in many circumstances cats are unable to survive such accidents. While these types of accidents can be extremely difficult, by acting quickly, taking the proper measures before you reach the vet, and acting with a cool head, you might be able to improve your cat's chances of survival. Here is a guide to help you do the most possible for your pet in its time of need.
Cats Are All Too Often Hit By Cars
Unfortunately, cats are often run over by cars, with estimates that cars kill 5.4 million cats each year. In the end, the best method of prevention is keeping your cat indoors as much as possible. If you allow your cat outside, you should be prepared for this type of injury in advance.
As a result, you should have an idea of where the closest 24-hour emergency animal hospital is in your area. You should also have some gauze and iodine ready, as well as a carrier that you can place your cat for a quick trip to the vet.
Control Your Emotions
Seeing your cat with a serious injury might be extremely difficult for you, and the likely graphic nature of such an injury is not easy to look at. It's important to try and deal with the emotional stress this may cause at a later time, and react promptly to get your cat to an emergency animal hospital, like Metzger Animal Hospital, in the shortest possible time.
Preliminary Treatment
There are many different types of injuries you cat may suffer from a car injury, including broken bones, damaged organs and plenty of scrapes and cuts. Ultimately, there is a limit to what you can do for your cat before you reach the vet, but if you see any area of the cat's body that is bleeding especially bad, you should try and apply pressure to that area and drop some iodine on it if you have some available. Afterwards, wrap gauze tightly around the wound or wounds.
If the injury is to the cat's tail or legs, you can even apply a tourniquet to the impacted area.
Transporting the Cat
It's best to place and lift the cat from something stiff, like a board of wood or a plastic pet carrier. If your cat has suffered a spinal injury, placing it in a blanket may make it worse. However, you have to work with what you have, including your own shirt or jacket, in order to get your cat into your car. After your cat is in the car, drive to the animal hospital as quickly as possible while ensuring you obey all traffic laws. The last thing your cat needs is you getting into an accident as well.
Preparing For The Worst
Your vet will likely perform emergency surgery to save your cat, but often your cat's injuries may be too serious. As a result, your cat may need to be euthanized. Although it's difficult, it's important to know that this is often the best option for your cat if it's truly suffering.
In the end, cars present a huge threat to your cat. However, by following some of the above tips, you can improve your chances of saving your cat's life.
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