Recently Hobbes, my Wheaten Terrier, tore off a strip of his ear while running in the woods. When we got home at 5:30 pm, it was dark and I discovered the blood on his neck and head. The injury resulted in stitches on his ear, a bandage for 5 days, and a cone for 14 days.

I learned and remembered a lot in the few hours and days after Hobbes’ accident. I hope these help you if you ever have an emergency.

• Post the phone numbers of your  veterinary clinic or emergency veterinary clinic on your cell phone or post at home.
• Have a back-up vet you trust. One clinic couldn’t see me and said to go to the emergency clinic. The back-up vet was available.
• Know the exact directions to the vet clinic or emergency clinic. Now is not the time to figure out how to get there. Know the fastest way.
• Try to remain calm. Exhale slowly to calm yourself and your pet.
• If you can find the wound, apply steady pressure to it with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Have the passenger do Tellington TTouch® Ear Slides to the pet to keep the pet out of shock. I was alone and used one hand to do the ear slides as I drove city streets.
• If your pet likes their crate and can’t get into due to the injury or a cone, move the crate from the room. Put the crate pillow/linens in the exact same spot.
• Use a wide water dish so the pet can drink with the cone.
• Take food dish out of stand and raise it. The pet may be able to eat with the cone on.
• When I leave, Hobbes gets treats. I found a deep  plastic food container is the right height. I flip it over and put it on the rug by his crate area. The ridge on the food container holds the treats from falling on the floor. Be sure to break the treats up into bite size.
• Let the tears come when you know the dog is safe with the vet. The release feels good and helps calm you.
• Do a TTouch® Heart Hug™ to yourself.
• Give yourself some time to relax and rest after you settle in back home. Your body needs to calm down after the adrenaline rush.
• Explain to your pet what happened and everything is okay.
• Sign up for a cat and dog first aid and CPR class.
• Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothes, walls, stucco, etc.
• Healing Touch for Animals® will help reduce pain and help with healing.

I hope you never need to use these tips. Please feel free to contact Animal Bridges for any help with your pet.