Dr Alex Hynes The Pet Emergency Go To Woman

While many of us put contingencies in place for ourselves and our families in the case of an emergency, we often forget that pet emergencies also happen. When a medical emergency falls upon our furry friends, pet parents can be overwhelmed with making difficult and rational decisions, especially if something occurs in the middle of the

night. This is when having a crisis plan in place for pet emergencies is a smart idea.

We spoke with emergency vet Dr. Alex Hynes about staying calm in a pet’s medical emergency and the items you should always have on hand in a petfriendly first aid kit.

Dr. Hynes grew up surrounded by animals; dogs and cats to cattle and chickens. However, she didn’t always want to be a vet. Her path led her to finance and business, but after about a year, she realized a desk job and city life wasn’t for her, and she applied to veterinarian school. And while it takes a special type of person to be a vet, it takes another breed to work in emergency care.

She explained, “I’ve always been a person who thrives on challenge, and being under pressure brings out the best in me. In an emergency we see the worst of the worst cases, but the flip side to that is that it creates an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those pets very quickly. Often it’s at night or on the weekend when they nobody else to turn to. I get to save lives and reunite pets with their families every day, and that’s incredibly rewarding.”

While a pet’s first aid kit looks similar to that of a human, there are key differences you should pay close attention to.

Dr. Hyne’s 12 Crucial Elements For Your Pet First Aid Kit

1. Sterile saline solution (for washing out wounds and can also be used for irrigating an injured eye)

2. Medication to relieve itching such as a soothing cream—useful for minor bites and stings

3. Oral syringes for administering fluids or medication

4. Tweezers to remove splinters, grass seeds, or ticks

5. A nylon slip lead—important so you can have control of the injured animal, especially when they are scared and may not listen well

6 Tips For Handling An At Home Emergency

1. Know who to call—have the name and number of your vet and local emergency hospital in place that’s easily accessible to everyone in the household. Don’t forget you may not be home when the emergency happens, so it’s vital that everyone knows what to do.

2. Know how to perform CPR in an emergency. Look for pet first aid courses in your area that will teach you what to do if you find your pet not breathing.

3. Don’t give your pet human medication. You could do more harm and make a bad situation worse.

4. Some dog medication is NOT meant for cats and vice versa. Cats are not small dogs and metabolise drugs differently. Be sure to use pet specific medications.

5. Always take precautions when handling an injured animal. Even the most gentle, sweetnatured pet may bite when hurt or scared.

6. Know how to use the items in your first aid kit, and periodically check expirations dates on medications and replace them if necessary.

7. Cold and heat packs

8. Sterile gauze pads which can be placed over the wound

9. Cotton wool padded bandage

10. Scissors for cutting bandage material

11. Cohesive bandage to secure the dressing in place

12. First aid tape

It’s easy and normal to overreact in the event of an emergency, but it’s important to stay calm and focused.

Dr Alex Hynes