Is Your Dog Sick? Use These Tips to Transport Them to a Hospital
When your dog has become ill or injured, it is natural to feel worried about their well-being. It is important to take a deep breath and use the following tips so that you can take your dog to an emergency animal hospital without causing more upset or injury to either of you.
Remain Calm
It is vital that you remember that, just as at any other time, your sick or hurt dog is getting behavioral signals from you. If you can remain somewhat calm, it will be easier for you to get your dog into your vehicle and off to the emergency vet or hospital. If you don't remain calm, your dog could injure itself further by attempting to run around or making other furtive movements. Move slowly and speak in a steady voice when you communicate with them.
Don't Attempt to Touch the Area
Your first instinct might be to inspect your dog's wound or rub an area that you think is bothering them. However, this might cause your dog to lash out in frustration; you may end up getting bit and needing medical attention yourself. To make sure this doesn't happen, try to not touch to the area.
One thing you may want to try is muzzling your dog so that it's easier to transport them to your vehicle. If there is not an actual muzzle inside your home, you can wrap some clean gauze around their mouth or use a pair of stockings. Don't tie the makeshift muzzle too tightly, but make sure it is secure enough that it won't come undone while you're transporting your dog. Of course, if your dog has been throwing up, muzzling can be a choke hazard so don't make the attempt.
Restrict Their Movement Inside Your Vehicle
That old dog carrier might be in your garage and hasn't been used since you brought your dog home; you're going to need it now. Even if your dog has a lot of freedom any other time they travel, their own safety is the reason for using the carrier. During the ride to their vet, they can be jostled around in your truck or car, which could make their injuries worse. Can't find their carrier? Try a big box or wrap them snugly in a big blanket.
This information can be helpful when you're trying to get a sick dog to an emergency vet. Call the hospital directly for additional advice.