As a pet owner, you of course want to ensure your dog, cat, or other little friend lives a long and fulfilling life. But sometimes bad things happen through no fault of your own, and you may one day find yourself responding to a pet emergency. If your dog, cat, or other animal has been injured, you will, of course, want to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. A local emergency vet may be able to provide help just when you need it the most. Here are some tips that every pet owner should keep in mind. 

Know the Number and Location of Your Emergency Vet Before You Need It

With some pet emergencies, the sooner you can seek out medical assistance, the better off your pet will be. This is why you should take the time to find a good local vet that you trust before you actually need emergency assistance. Seek out a local 24/7 vet if you want to ensure that you'll be able to get your little friend help anytime day or night.

Know How to Muzzle or Control Your Pet

Injured pets can become quite emotional much in the same way that humans can after suffering a serious injury. The difference is that a human knows not to try and bite the hand of the pet owner or local veterinarian that is trying to provide assistance. If your pet is especially distressed, there may be no chance to get it to respond as it normally would to your commands. If you have an especially large pet that could cause injury to a human when it acts out, it might be best to spend some time looking into a muzzle that could be used in emergency situations. Practice muzzling your pet when they are not injured so the pet is used to it. If the pet does then encounter a stressful situation that has it acting out, you can use the muzzle to ensure the pet will not bite you or anyone else while treating the injury.

Know How to Do a Basic Wrap

In addition to a muzzle, you might also want to look into some basic pet medical supplies such as a wrap or gauze that can be used on a dog or cat. If your pet is bleeding, you will want to do what you can to stem the flow of blood until professional assistance can help.

Contact a local emergency veterinary clinic, such as South Seattle Veterinary Hospital, today to form a relationship.