If you have pets, at some point you may find yourself worried about them being ill when your vet is closed or unreachable.

Most of us are not vets and can’t tell how bad it is. We have been inundated with calls over the last few weeks from people who don’t know what to do. Faced with a midnight emergency, being prepared can keep you calm enough to make the right decisions. Here are some top tips:

• Ideally, you should have your vet’s number, the emergency number (5250 2000) and the number for the Animal Welfare Centre in a handy place, such as your key ring. Over the phone they can help you to assess whether you’re faced with a real emergency.

Even during the day, calling ahead can give you those vital seconds needed to save your pet’s life. If you don’t have your own transport, you should add the number of an animal ambulance to that list.

• If your pet is on any medication, have it ready to take with you.

• There are useful courses that can help you get some pet first aid knowledge, but these do not replace the need to speak to a veterinary expert. Every emergency needs a different approach and we couldn’t cover all of them in such a short space, but we can give a few examples from calls we’ve received in the middle of the night from worried owners.

• If a dog’s stomach looks unusually swollen, it can be a sign of bloat, a condition whereby the dog’s stomach is trapping gases from fermenting food. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate intervention. Bloat very often happens at night but don’t wait until morning.

• Suspected poisoning is a common reason for calls received. However, different poisons require different approaches. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to. Ideally, you want to take a sample of the poison with you to the vet, which can be tricky if you haven’t seen your pet eat anything.

• If your dog is acting differently, walking unsteadily, salivating or foaming or producing green stools, you should call immediately for a check-up. If you think your dog is unwell at 7pm, don’t wait for midnight to make the call.

• Seizures, increased drinking and urination, repeated vomiting, loose stools or nose bleeds should always be checked by a vet.

This article was submitted by Dogs Trust Malta, which has teamed up with SPCA Malta to promote responsible pet ownership and improve standards of animal welfare.

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