WHAT IS A VETERINARY EMERGENCY?

If you notice any abnormal behavior or if you have any concerns about something going on with your pet, don't hesitate to contact us or your veterinarian and ask questions.

SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR INCLUDE:

• Vomiting or diarrhea more than once in 24 hours

• Vomiting or diarrhea that has continued for longer than 24 hours

• Refusal to drink water for longer than 24 hours 

• Loss of appetite for more than 2 days

• Depression, weakness, lethargy

• Difficulty breathing (gagging, gasping, or labored breaths)

• Nonstop coughing or retching

• Gums any color other than healthy pink (such as white, red, blue, purple, yellow)

• Straining or inability to urinate or defecate

• Acting painful (whining, yowling, limping, not moving, acting anxious, etc)

• Muscle tremors or seizures

• Bloody urine or bloody stool

• Bleeding of any kind

• Fever (normal temperature for cats and dogs is between 100-102.5 F)

• Possible ingestion of poisons or something potentially hazardous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, lilies, rodent poison, human medications)

• Overdose of medications

• Distended (swollen) or hard/tense abdomen

• Open wounds or any other obvious injuries

• Possible broken bones

• Inability to walk or move

• Unconscious and doesn't wake up

• Disorientation (bumping into things, wobbling, staggering)

• Eye irritation or injuries

• Swelling or pus from any body part

• Choking or something possibly stuck in your pet's throat

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Try to maintain calm.

Protect yourself from injury - even the friendliest pets who would never bite, hiss, growl, or scratch under normal circumstances may do so when they are in pain or having a neurologic episode (such as a seizure.) You may want to carefully wrap a large towel or blanket around them.

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Do not attempt to medicate your pet without a veterinarian's direction. Many human medications are toxic to animals, and certain prescriptions can be harmful to pets they were not intended for.

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If you are able, apply direct pressure to any area with active bleeding or place something absorbent, such as a clean towel or cloth, on the wound.

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Bring any product packaging if you suspect ingestion of something poisonous or toxic.

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If you need to transport a large dog who is unable to walk, place a sturdy blanket underneath them and have two or more people lift the dog in the blanket like a hammock.

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If you are unsure of what to do, call us immediately.