Signs That Your Pet May Be Experiencing a Health Emergency

Pet emergencies can come from sudden diseases, injuries, accidents, or ingestions. Knowing your pet needs emergency care is not always obvious. It is ideal to know the signs that show your pet needs emergency medical care for you to act accordingly.

How to Know Your Pet Needs Emergency Veterinary Care

Knowing whether your pet needs emergency health care is challenging. An emergency can occur anytime. Thus, it is ideal to have the basic first aid skills to save your pet’s life. You should also know what signs show your pet is experiencing a health emergency to act fast. You may also need to contact your vet for advice if you are unsure of what to do.

Signs That Show Your Pet Is Experiencing a Health Emergency

Some of the most common signs that show your pet is experiencing a health emergency are:

• Seizures.
• Blood in diarrhea or vomiting.
• Dilated pupils.
• Swollen, painful, or bloated abdomen.
• Unconsciousness.
• Inability to walk or lameness.
• Injury to the eye or inflammation.
• Stumbling, staggering, or sudden blindness.
• Incapacity to deliver kittens or puppies.
• Unable to defecate or urinate.
• Extreme coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing.
• Ingesting bones, poisonous substances, foods, or plants.
• Severe injury or obvious pain.

How to Prepare for Pet Emergency 

Health emergencies come without notice. Be prepared to ensure you act fast. It is ideal to have the phone number of your veterinarian’s office. Know the closest emergency veterinarian clinic and the animal poison control center.

Know how to muzzle your pet to ensure it does not bite anyone. Have the directions to your nearest emergency vet clinic. Equip yourself with basic CPR and first aid skills.

Basic First Aid for Pets

First aid can help stabilize your pet before rushing them to an emergency facility.

Chocking

Ensure you check what is in your pet’s mouth often. Animals can bite something and panic. Be careful and avoid pushing the object down their throat. If you struggle to do so, do not waste more time. Rush your pet to the vet or the nearest veterinary clinic for help.

Seizures

If your pet experiences a seizure, remove any objects around them that can hurt them. Try not to restrain them. After the episode, keep them warm and call your veterinarian.

In case they bleed

Put gauze over the injury to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure on it for some time until the blood starts to clot. Ensure you muzzle your pet before you begin the whole process. Once the blood clots, you can take your pet to the vet.

Fractures

In case your pet gets a fracture, begin by muzzling them. Lay your pet on a flat surface that can work as a stretcher for transport to an emergency room. If possible, secure your pet to the surface and avoid exerting pressure on the fractured site.

Types of Emergency Hospitals for Animals

There are full-service critical care and emergency facilities open round the clock. Your pet can get treatment and monitoring at any time. Such facilities have a dedicated team of veterinary staff. They have access to scarce resources compared to clinics that offer primary care.
 

The second type of animal emergency hospital is the after-hour facilities. These facilities are reliable. They open when your veterinarian’s office closes. They operate at night, during weekends, and on holidays. 
 

For more on pet medical emergencies, visit Liberty Animal Clinic at our office in Hinesville, Georgia. You can call (912) 368-4080 today to book an appointment.