Pet Emergency Checklists

PET EMERGENCY CHECKLISTS

If you have a pet emergency, call or go to the vets immediately.

Use the checklists below once you are at the vet hospital to ask about diagnosing, treatment and care for your pet’s emergency.

 

When our pets have an emergency everything happens so fast and is so overwhelming that we can go into a state of shock or denial. The fight/flight/freeze response kicks in, meaning the thinking part of our brain shuts down and the survival part of the brain ramps up. Unfortunately, we don’t think clearly in this state.

These checklists will help you think more clearly and make sure everything is covered.

Vet Questions

Use this list to ensure all the questions you need to ask your vet about diagnosing and treating your pet’s emergency are covered.

Vet Questions

Care Checklist

Tips to help you care for your pet, and other considerations such as making decisions, transportation, supplies and help from others.

Care Checklist

Tips to Help you Calm Down

The fight/flight/freeze response increases your heart rate and quickens your breathing. These exercises can help you to calm you down and help you think more clearly again.

  • Intentionally slow your breathing by inhaling deeply and expanding your diaphragm. After 3 seconds, pause, then exhale slowly. Repeat as needed.
  • Notice and acknowledge how your body is feeling – breathing, muscle tension etc.
  • Use the calming techniques of looking for everything of a certain color in the room or mentally tracing the outline of your country.
  • To release adrenaline, do jumping jacks or run quickly on the spot.

Compassion for yourself is important at this time. You are having to make decisions when you cannot think clearly at all. This is exceedingly difficult.

You are going through a crisis situation and whatever the outcome, know that you did the best you could in these circumstances.

About

I created these lists after losing my dog due to a sudden health emergency. I hope that they will be helpful for you and that you have the best possible outcome.

Feel free to send me suggestions for improvements using the contact form on the About page.