How to Prepare for a Pet Emergency

We’ve all heard them before—horror stories about other people’s pet emergencies. And yet, if you’re anything like me, you probably hear these stories and still manage to find comfort in the idea that such catastrophes probably won’t happen to you and your beloved pet.  

Regardless of why this may be, one thing is for certain: This mindset of invincibility is truly just a false sense of security. Unfortunately, pet emergencies are something that we will all have to deal with in some capacity and at some point in time. However, the best way to prepare for the inevitable is to make sure that when it happens, you’ve got a game plan to fall back on. 

The last thing we want is to be caught completely off guard and unprepared when our pets are seriously injured or, worse, when their lives are at risk. I found myself in this very situation recently when my dog, Sally, was bitten by a rattlesnake during our routine weekend hike. Once I realized what had happened, the many ways in which I had failed to prepare for something like this hit me like a freight train as I wondered: How much time do I have? Should I carry her to the car? Where is the nearest vet? Wait—it’s the weekend, the vet is closed. Is there a 24/7 pet hospital in the area and if so, how do I get to it? Is she in pain? How can I make her as comfortable as possible? Is there anything I can do during the car ride to prevent the venom from spreading?

I’m beyond relieved to report that Sally is doing just fine. I was able to get her to an emergency pet hospital immediately, where she received top-notch care and has made a full recovery. And yet, even after she got better, I still couldn’t shake the anger I felt toward myself for being so unprepared when Sally needed me the most. 

One of the main lessons I’ve learned from this terrifying experience is the importance of being prepared. There are enough risks and dangers to our pets’ health out there, and an ill-prepared owner shouldn’t be one of them. 

Luckily, my story has a happy ending. But sadly, there have been many other people just like me who were caught off guard by a life-threatening pet emergency and weren’t able to get to help in time. It’s a tragic reality, but one that can oftentimes be avoided by implementing some precautionary measures. 

So don’t delay, prepare today! Here are a few things you can do today that will make you more prepared when the unexpected happens to you and your pet:

• Know where you’re going: It’s one thing to know where your pet’s veterinarian is located. But what do you do if your pet gets hurt on the weekend or during the night? Find out where the nearest 24/7 animal hospital is in your community and learn the route to it. When pet emergencies happen, every minute matters. The last thing you want to do is scramble for directions or even get lost when time is scarce. 

Also, if you and your pet like to go on adventures far away from home, know the route to the nearest pet hospital in that area as well. 

•  Speed dial: Have your pet’s vet and local animal hospital on speed dial. If your pet is injured, call ahead and inform the pet hospital that you’re on your way. Depending on the injury, hospital staff may be able to give you helpful tips about how to better care for your pet en route to the hospital. 

• Pet insurance: Sure, it may just seem like one more bill you have to budget for every month. But when pet emergencies strike (and they most certainly will) you’ll thank yourself for having your pet covered under a health insurance policy—especially when you see how expensive pet hospital bills can be! 

• Pet first-aid: These valuable and life-saving courses are often offered at local humane societies. Pet first-aid classes educate owners about how to provide emergency care for pets in the event of poisoning, bleeding, burns, broken bones, choking, shock, seizures, heatstroke and a wide variety of other urgent medical problems. Pet first-aid is not meant to replace proper veterinary care altogether, but it can make your pet more comfortable or even save their life while en route to the pet hospital. 

As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to be proactive and make sure you have all the tools you need to care for your furry companion when the unexpected occurs. Pet emergencies can be terrifying experiences, but with the right preparation and education you can ensure that you are ready to spring into action when your furry companion needs you the most. 

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About this column: Parenting a pet can be one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have. With years of pet parenting experience, the folks at the Escondido Humane Society understand that. Follow the Pet Parenting Tails each month — from funny stories to simple tips, there's a lot to share!