Medical Emergencies

Wounds – Anything that is deeper than a superficial scratch or has been bleeding greater than 5 minutes, or is coming from the nose, mouth or rectum is considered an emergency.

Trauma – An attack by another animal, been hit by a car or other object, even if there are no visible signs of injury. Internal injuries and bleeding can quickly become life threatening.

Collapse or unresponsive – A pet that is unable to get up or is not responding to stimuli needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Breathing problems – A pet that seems to be experiencing difficulty breathing or is coughing or choking uncontrollably needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Elimination difficulties – Difficulty urinating or defecating, including, not doing either for more than 12 hours should be addressed right away.  This could indicate a blockage that requires surgical intervention.

Ingestion of objects -  occurs when a non-edible object is swallowed and enters the digestive tract, or when an edible item gets stuck before reaching the stomach causing diarrhea, vomiting and your pet often times has stopped eating and may act depressed.

Toxicity/Poisons -  Occurs when your pet has ingested over the counter medications, some chewing gums or has swallowed poisons.  You may notice vomiting and diarrhea, loss of coordination, shaking or tremors, loss of consciousness, they may be lethargic,  agitated or hyper.  

Severe vomiting or diarrhea – Your pet will need medical evaluation if he or she is vomiting or having diarrhea multiple times per day, or if these symptoms are accompanied by other signs of illness such as fever or lethargy.

Not eating/drinking – Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours is a sign of trouble.

Fever – Your pet feels excessively warm (or has a rectal temperature of 103°F), has a dry warm nose, is lethargic you need to get them in to be seen. 

Seizures -  a temporary involuntary disturbance of normal brain function that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. 

Bloat - is a serious condition that occurs when an animal's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid, causing it to expand or twist.  Symptoms may appear suddenly, and if untreated, bloat can kill within hours.

Eye injuries – Eye injuries are often serious, so do not wait to bring your pet in if you know that his or her eyes have been injured or if you observe blood, discharge, or swelling around the eye.

Pain/extreme anxiety – Your pet may be in pain if he or she is limping, having difficulty standing or walking, or is experiencing disorientation or extremely anxious behavior. This can be caused by a variety of things and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Labor difficulties – If your laboring cat or dog has gone several hours between delivering kittens or puppies, give us a call right away.

Remember, pets are genetically wired to hide pain and illness, which can make it difficult for even the most conscientious pet owner to know when their pet is in need of immediate medical attention. Pay attention to your pet’s demeanor and his/her habits.

Are they sleeping more often? Eating less? Suddenly not interested in walks or favorite toys? Use your intuition and knowledge of your pet’s normal behavior to access whether or not to seek medical assistance.