As pet parents, the thought of a medical emergency can be terrifying. But if you know what to do, the possible outcome can be improved. Today, we'll talk about what to do in case of a pet emergency in this edition of Pet Pointers.

In the event of a pet emergency, the best thing you can do as a pet parent is remain calm. Dr. Adam Kane of the Veterinary Medical Center in Syracuse tells us he needs to understand what has happened to provide the best care possible.

Dr. Kane said, "The most important thing is them to know what is normal for the pet and what is abnormal. They need to convey to the vet what those abnormalities are and to give us a history as to what is going on. We also need to know medications, if there is a chance they got into toxins, anything that will help us make a diagnosis as to what is going on."

In case of a traumatic incident, do not try to asses your pet's injuries yourself. You could cause more damage or be injured by your frightened pet. It's crucial that you get your pet in for treatment as quickly as possible.

Dr. Kane said, "The best way to do it is to keep them as immobile as possible but get them in to the hospital as quickly as possible. So if you have people who can help get them into a car, do it, but keep them as immobile as possible."

Dr. Kane often must council people who may have to make a difficult choice that no pet parent is ever prepared to make, especially in a time of crisis.

He said, "While it is very important to treat your pets, it is important to do what you can for them. You are responsible for their health. At the same time if you are putting yourself out on the street while paying to treat your pets, that is not really something you can do."

Ask your vet where you can go for 24-hour emergency vet care if they do not offer that service. Then keep the number handy or program it in your phone just in case.