Pet Injuries: Common Causes and How to Avoid Them
Pets are known for being fun-loving creatures that enjoy running, playing and exploring new things. However, they can sometimes get hurt during their adventures and end up with wounds and even potential health issues that cause a gut-wrenching feeling in pet owners.
That’s why it is important that we take proper care of our little furry friends in order to protect them and help them live a wound-free life as much as possible.
Generally speaking, one of the best ways to always stay on top of your best friend’s wellbeing is to do regular checkups. Thorough vet examinations will certainly help point out any injuries or accidents your pet may have endured. For such cases you can rely on your pet insurance policy plan to provide your pup or kitten with the best care possible that will ensure their safety. And since there are all kinds of insurance plans available, search for a reliable pet insurance marketplace that provides pet owners with the opportunity to compare different ones and choose the plan that will best suit their pet’s needs.
But, before you pay your vet a visit, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the injuries your puppy can undergo whether at home or outdoors.
To help you get started here is some helpful information about the common causes of pet injuries and what you can do to avoid them.
Cuts, wounds and insect bites
Some of the most common accidents that occur in pets are cuts, open wounds and insect bites. They can happen either at home or outdoors which means every pet owner must pay close attention when their companion is playing a bit more aggressively.
For example, doggies love running in the park, but they aren’t aware of the tree branches that are all over the grass which can wound them accidentally. Such minor cuts and grazes usually heal in a few days if they are kept clean and dry. However, larger cuts and open wounds call for an immediate examination by a vet in order for him to prescribe the best treatment to ease the pain and speed up the healing process.
In the meantime, make sure every playtime is calm and controlled by limiting vigorous play to a secured room where there will be little risk of your canine friend getting injured.
Eye trauma
Eye trauma is another example of a pet accident that can happen as a result of rough play, chasing other animals, or simply digging in the garden. Such injuries can range from mild to severe which can sometimes even lead to the loss of vision.
For example, when dogs and cats play, they can sometimes play a bit more aggressively, and the cat may hurt the pup’s eye. This leads to a corneal scratch or abrasion which is one of the most common eye injuries in dogs. It is usually accompanied by excessive blinking or watery discharge making it easily noticeable by pet owners. In this case, it is important that you take your pup to the vet immediately to do a test and determine the treatment of the injury.
Meanwhile, it is advised that you keep an eye on your doggie especially outdoors in areas where there are many shrubs and bushes.
Pet fights
If there is an injury pet owners are most worried about, then that is their pet getting into an altercation with another animal. This can result in bleeding wounds and bruises or in some cases even neurological damages to your pet. Such incidents can have a major impact on its wellbeing, so it is necessary that they are avoided at all costs.
For example, dog kennels have all kinds of dog breeds where they can get very competitive with each other. So, if a fight breaks out and your pet gets bitten or scratched by an infected animal, then they can carry bacteria which can lead to severe health issues if left untreated.
That’s why it is important that you are always mindful of other animals and keep your pet on a leash especially if you are walking in an area with unfamiliar dogs around.
Car accidents
Pets are very curious animals that sometimes don’t realize the danger they can find themselves in especially when walking outside. They often get carried away exploring new things and smells without paying attention to the surroundings like traffic.
Unfortunately, not all pets are lucky to survive a car accident because such incidents can have major trauma injuries including broken bones, internal bleeding and tissue damages. In some severe cases, they can even suffer from head and spine injuries that can lead to serious health issues.
One of the best ways to avoid this from happening is to keep your companion away from traffic in the street and driveway. Make sure you train them well and keep them on a leash every time you need to cross the street.
Nail related issues
Most pets don’t like nail trimming, but if they don’t receive the proper routine care on their paws, there is a great chance they will be more prone to having injured nails.
For example, broken nails usually occur from overgrown ones that have broken off very short or have cracked and exposed the blood vessel. This can be very painful and can easily lead to an infection if it isn’t immediately treated.
One of the quickest ways to do so is to stop the bleeding using styptic powder. In fact, this is what groomers and vets use to ease the pain and prevent further infection. All you have to do is dip your puppy’s nails directly into the powder or use an applicator to apply some pressure to the nail to stop the bleeding.
Cruciate ligament injury
The cranial cruciate ligament in dogs refers to the ligament that stabilizes the knee. If it is ruptured while jumping or falling from a height, it can lead to great pain and lameness. In such a case, the animal won’t be able to stand on that leg and will limp when walking. While most injured animals are prescribed rest and medications, others may have to undergo surgery to fix the issue.
Unfortunately, this injury is very common in larger dogs such as Labradors as well as in obese animals that don’t get enough physical activity.
So, the best way to avoid this painful injury is to provide your furry friend with a well-balanced diet and engage them in plenty of exercise to keep healthy bones.
Final thoughts
While pet injuries are inevitable, it is still possible to take steps to avoid the most common ones. Besides training your companion the best way you can, it is also advised that you pay closer attention to them every time they are engaged in rough play or simply wandering out in the street. This way you will be able to act immediately if an accident happens and take all proper measures to treat any injury instantly.
In case you need help, you can refer to this guide and use the information here to help your pet whenever they find themselves in some kind of danger.
Guest article by Nathan Skalbeck, dog trainer
Images:
- Dalmation: Michael Kilcoyne (Unsplash)
- Dogs: Jay Wennington (Unsplash)
- Dog and cat: Snapwire (Pexels)