Knowing what to do in a pet emergency can make all the difference to their health and wellbeing. As a dog walker or pet sitter, the health and safety of the animals in your charge is of utmost importance to you. But, just like humans, pets can experience unexpected health emergencies that require urgent attention.
What kind of pet emergency could you experience?
Whether you’re looking after a cat, dog or something more exotic, they can all suffer from a sudden illness, an accident or serious injury. They could become unconscious, be bleeding heavily or not breathing.
Pets can choke just like humans, so it’s a good idea to learn animal CPR in case of emergency.
Many everyday substances can be toxic for animals, so it’s important that you know what your pet can and can’t eat. They can suffer from seizures, when you should immediately seek professional advice after following a few simple steps.
What to do in a pet emergency
As a pet sitter it’s important to be prepared for pet emergencies so that you can respond quickly and appropriately if something happens to the pets under your care.
The main thing is to stay calm and focused as this will help you make the right decisions and take appropriate action. Contact the owner and let them know what’s happening, and check what they’d like you to do. Take the pet to a vet (see below for more information) and always make sure you document everything afterwards. Keep detailed records of the date and time, what happened, your actions, the animal’s symptoms and what treatment was administered.
Where to take a pet in your care in a medical emergency
Cats, dogs and other pets usually have a regular veterinary practice which their owner takes them to for routine appointments such as vaccinations. This practice will have their full medical history so will be better placed to administer emergency treatment.
You should have a veterinary release form for each pet that you care for which states which vet is preferred, but also says whether they are happy for you to take them to a different one in an emergency.
It’s important to have this information to hand because if something unexpected happens then you’ll know where to go. In extreme emergencies, you might be closer to another vet who can take them, so you should check with the owner that they’re happy for you to take their fur baby there.
The vet can call the owner who can deal with any payments due over the phone.
What’s in your contract?
Ideally you would have a clause in your pet sitting or dog walking contract to cover pet emergencies. This would cover things like who to contact in an emergency and whether you are authorised to make decisions about medical attention in the event that you can’t get hold of the owner or other contact.
You may also have a clause which covers any unanticipated extra time you spend on an appointment. For example, an animal might be uncooperative when you’re trying to give them some medications. They may have suffered from vomiting or diarrhoea which requires cleaning up.
We cover why it’s vital to have a dog walking contract in this article.
How much should you charge during a pet emergency?
If you experience a pet emergency whilst on duty then your appointment could overrun while you seek medical attention. You should have a pricing structure which allows for situations like these, for example what your hourly rate is, and whether you will use a taxi or other transport.
Your closest emergency vet may be an hour’s journey from where you are, and then there could be a long wait at the other end while the pet is being assessed and treated. It might sound uncaring to be talking about how much to charge but when you’re running a business, and potentially letting down other customers while you deal with the emergency, you should be compensated for it.
In summary
It’s always best to err on the side of caution during a pet emergency, and seek medical attention if you’re unsure how severely the animal has been hurt. Your quick thinking and actions could make the difference between life and death.
Useful links
Common foods which are toxic to pets
Are bee stings dangerous to dogs and cats?
What to do if your pet has a seizure
What to do if a cat starts to constantly vomit
What to do if your pet is bitten
What to do if your pet has a broken bone
Pet first aid tips for choking
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