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Emergency Indicators: Knowing When Something is Wrong
If a vehicle has struck your pet or your pet has suffered any other type of severe, physical trauma, emergency treatment is obviously needed. Sometimes, however, serious symptoms may not be so obvious.
Trust your instincts with your pet. If you notice your pet behaving in a way that's unusual, you may have picked up on a real problem. To find out, call your vet or call us. By talking with a veterinary professional, you should be able to determine whether you should bring your pet in right away, or whether he/she can wait for an examination during your hospital's normal office hours.
Here are some indicators which may warrant immediate, professional emergency care.
If your pet is...
- Suffering from a trauma such as being hit by a car, bitten by another animal, a knife or bullet wound or burn injuries.
- Having trouble breathing.
- Having an abnormal heartbeat or has no heartbeat.
- Unconscious or has had a seizure.
- In shock (signs of shock can include weakness, pale mucous membranes in their mouth, cold extremities, and an abnormal heartbeat).
- Vomiting and/or has had excessive diarrhea.
- Bleeding or has blood in its feces or urine.
- Having trouble urinating, or is not producing urine.
- Choking on a foreign object, or if you think your pet has ingested something toxic such as household cleaner, rat poison, antifreeze, etc.
- Panting excessively or suffering from other signs of heatstroke such as vomiting, high body temperature, and collapse.
- Suddenly unable to stand on its own or is disoriented.
- Showing signs of extreme pain by whining or guarding.
- Not responding to prescribed medication or having an obvious adverse reaction to medication.
- Not recovering well in the first few days after an operation.
Information contained herein is provided as a service to our visitors and as a general guide.
It should not be substituted for professional veterinary care. Always contact a licensed veterinary professional with questions or concerns regarding your animal's health.
