Dog Emergency Preparedness
It is every pet parent’s worst nightmare. Your dog swallows something toxic or obstructing. They get loose and are hit by a car. They suddenly have a seizure or lose consciousness. Incidents like these are absolutely gut-wrenching. This is why having an emergency plan is critical. Knowing what veterinary resources are available in your area ahead of time can tip the balance in life-or-death scenarios.
Know your veterinarian’s hours and emergency procedures.
Most clinics are closed on Sundays and do not keep emergency staff on call. In Kokomo, there is no 24-hour emergency veterinary service. Patients are referred to round-the-clock clinics in Anderson, Indianapolis, Fishers, West Lafayette, and Noblesville. As one local practice we spoke to explained:
“A 24 hour facility is really the best option for an emergency event as they are fully staffed and equipped for an emergency and are there 24 hours to observe/treat a critical event. Since none of our Kokomo clinics have 24 hour staffing, in most cases, it takes about the same amount of time to receive the call and get ready and arrive at the clinic as it is to drive to any of these 24 hour facilities that already have the staff there.”
In the event you cannot receive necessary immediate care from your regular veterinarian, know where your nearest emergency clinic is located.
Keep phone numbers handy.
Whether you need to call your veterinarian or give it to your dog’s sitter to have on hand in case of emergency, keep their contact information in your phone or have their business card in your wallet. Do not lose precious time searching for it when you could be on your way to the ER.
Brush up on pet CPR and first aid.
Never hesitate to contact your dog’s care provider in the event of an injury or health concern, but it also pays to be prepared to help your pet on the spot and stabilize them before taking them in for treatment. There are many online courses available as well as classes offered by Humane Societies, pet stores, and training programs. You can begin with these first aid basics.
Have an emergency kit and paperwork on hand.
It can pay off to keep copies of your pet’s medical records and medications. It may be a good idea to keep a copy with your dog’s first aid kit.
Though we do everything in our power to keep our beloved dogs safe and healthy at all times, accidents do happen. A little bit of preparation now can save you a great deal of pain in the future.
Resources:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Kokomo Area 24-Hour Veterinary Clinics:
MedVet (Carmel-Indy) 317-872-8387
9650 Mayflower Park Dr., Carmel, IN 46032
Purdue Small Animal Hospital (Lafayette) 765-494-1107 or 765-496-7911
Lynn (Charles J.) Hall of Veterinary Medicine, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907
VCA Northwood (Anderson) 765-649-5218
3255 North State Road 9, Anderson, IN 46012
VCA Advanced Care (Fishers) 317-578-4100
7712 Crosspoint Commons, Fishers, IN 46038
*Charges may apply
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