Warning Signs Your Pet Needs Emergency Care
You wake and your furry friend isn't quite himself. He's pacing, panting, and whimpering. Uh oh. You know something isn't right. But is it an emergency? Your mind races through the what-ifs. What if he ate something bad? What if he has a tummy ache? What if it's something far more serious? You don't want to freak out, yet you also don't want to wait too long. Your fur kid is part of the family, after all. So how do you know when to rush him to a West Plano emergency veterinarian? Read on for ideas on identifying symptoms, theory when to go, what to ask the vet, and the best way to remain calm through a pet crisis. With the right information at hand, you will never be caught off guard while making the best decisions regarding your four-legged friend.
When to Take Your Pet to the Emergency Vet
Consult your pet immediately if he's acting strangely or there's the appearance of suffering. Some signs that mean you should rush them to the emergency vet are as follows :
1: Lethargy or Weakness
Additionally, if your usually lively pet acts tired, weak, or uncoordinated, it should ring not only anemia and poisoning but many other very serious diseases. Bring him to the vet immediately.
2: Shortness of Breath
If your pet breathes shallowly or pants too much—and he must have blue-colored gums— this is already an emergency. Labored or rapid breathing can signal a possible respiratory infection, heart failure, and a lot of life-threatening conditions.
3: Loss of Appetite or Vomiting/Diarrhea
While an upset stomach does not seem critical, if your pet has not eaten in over 24 hours, is having recurring episodes of vomiting/diarrhea or the vomit/stool includes blood, they need to be seen on. Additionally, small animals can quickly dehydrate and develop an electrolyte imbalance.
4: Seizures or Collapsing
It is very frightening to witness an animal having a seizure or collapsing. Although the actual episode itself is self-limiting, an underlying cause is to be diagnosed and treated by a vet as soon as possible.
If your best friend shows any of the above signs or symptoms, do not adopt a "wait and see" attitude. Drive them immediately to an emergency animal hospital or veterinarian. It's always better to err on the side of caution-it could mean life or death for your pet. When in doubt, check 'em out!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Emergency Veterinarian
In case your fur baby has some strange behavior or appears in much distress, it's hard not to freak out. However, how do you judge whether it is really an emergency? There are a few affectations whereby you rush your pet into an emergency vet instantaneously.
Q: What is Serious pain or unresponsiveness?
Ans: Severe and progressive pain, breathing difficulty, and unresponsiveness are circumstances that do justify an emergency visit to the vet.
Q: What is Severe Bleeding or Trauma?
Ans: Any condition associated with severe bleeding, wounds, broken bones, eye injuries, or other physical trauma is an emergency. Your vet can evaluate the extent of the damage, stop blood flow, and alleviate pain.
Q: What is difficulty urinating or defecating in your pet?
Ans: If your pet has a painful straining effort to urinate or defecate but no urine emerges, or there is no passage of stool, this may mean obstruction, which can be life-threatening very quickly. Bring them in immediately.
Q: What should you do if your pet suddenly collapses or has seizures?
Ans: If your pet suddenly collapses, has a seizure, or shows signs of neurologic disease such as loss of balance, it may be an emergency to evaluate exactly what is happening and institute therapy that might prevent worsening of their condition.
Knowing and watching for the signs can be a bit scary, but it really does save your pet's life. If anything seems severely wrong or doesn't feel right in some way, it's always better to err on the side of caution than to be sorry. Your vet will examine your dog or cat, and conduct any test that might help determine what's wrong so he can get him started on some treatment right away.
If in doubt, call the emergency vet. The health and safety of your pet come first.
