Dr. Wendy Buckle and her staff at Crossroads Animal Emergency treat animals that have been injured after hours, on weekends and during holidays. These veterinarians now share their insights on what an owner should do if a pet has been hit by a car.

Pet owners always try their best to keep their pets from doing things that can cause them physical harm. However, sometimes pets find their own way into the street where a car can hit them. The professionals at Crossroads Animal Emergency, an after-hours veterinary service, have the knowledge and training that can help save a pet that has been hit by a car. The professionals at Crossroads are now offering tips to pet owners that could help them save an animal's life in a critical situation.

If an animal has been hit by a car it should be taken to an animal emergency hospital or vet's office immediately, even if the pet does not seem to be badly injured. According to Dr. Wendy Buckle of Crossroads Animal Emergency, one person should drive while another tends to the pet to avoid accidents. Travel to the emergency hospital swiftly but safely.

"The first thing to do while on the way to the hospital is check for any external bleeding. If external bleeding is found, the pet owner should wrap a cloth around the injury to stop the bleeding, preventing additional blood loss," says Dr. Buckle. She also warns people to be careful when handling an injured pet as the animal could have internal injuries, including broken bones, that may not be visible upon initial inspection. Covering the injured pet in a blanket to keep it warm is also recommended, as many animals become cold with shock when hit by a vehicle.

According to Dr. Buckle, it is also not unusual for a pet to bite an owner or a person trying to help. "Just like humans, animals are very scared and usually in a lot of pain when they have been injured, especially after being hit by a car. Just remember that they are only trying to protect themselves, not trying to intentionally harm you," says Dr. Buckle. When dealing with a pet that will not let you near its injury, the emergency animal hospital team says it may be best to use a muzzle so it is safer to tend to the pet. Make sure the muzzle is not so tight that the animal cannot pant and do not use a muzzle if the animal is having difficulty breathing as this can make matters worse.

Finally, a soft, soothing voice will do wonders to help the pet calm down and work through the pain inherent in such a traumatic injury. According to Dr. Buckle, even though it may be difficult for owners to remain calm, this is the best thing they can do to help their pets survive the trauma of being hit by a car.

Crossroads Animal Emergency as seen at http://www.crossroadsanimal911.com/ is available after hours, on the weekends or during major holidays.

For more information see http://newswire.net/article/index/view/article_id/8765

About Crossroads Animal Emergency: With locations in both Norwalk and Huntington Beach, Crossroads Animal Emergency is a convenient and professional emergency veterinary service that can help dogs, cats and other pets who are sick or injured during non-traditional veterinary office hours. The team at Crossroads works with patients to ensure top-quality care and positive outcomes for every animal.

For More Information:
Bryan Buescher, Vice President of Operations
Crossroads Animal Emergency
18364 Beach Blvd
Huntington Beach, CA United States 92648
(714) 794-6900
[email protected]
http://www.crossroadsanimal911.com