How difficult it is to see your dog or cat suffering. This situation can become extremely stressful. Especially if at the same time you fear that your pet experiences a life-threatening health problem and needs emergency treatment.
Some of the reasons that your dog or cat may need emergency care are:
- Trauma caused by road traffic accidents, falls, bites and gunshot wounds
- Changes to breathing (faster breathing, weak and raspy breathing, shallow breathing or coughing, panting excessively, choking, open-mouth breathing)
- Overheating
- Excessive coughing, vomiting or diarrhea
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Collapsing or severe weakness/fatigue
- Paralysis or inability to move normally
- Ingesting poisons such as pesticides (e.g., organophosphates and carbamates), rat poisons, chocolate, grapes/raisins, human medications, lilies
- Snake bites
- Vomiting blood
- Abdominal bloating
- Seizures
- Whelping/kittening issues
- Stings/bites/allergic reactions
- Any condition causing excessive pain
If your pet has any of these symptoms it is crucial that you immediately contact our clinic. These incidents are emergency cases and your pet should be brought to the clinic as soon as possible.
What are some signs that your dog or cat needs emergency care?
We understand that it is difficult for you to distinguish if your pet’s problem requires emergency care or not. However, if you notice that your pet shows any of the following signs, call us immediately:
- Pale gums, rapid breathing, weak or rapid pulse, change in body temperature
- Trying to vomit repeatedly without taking something out
- Bloated abdomen
- Difficulty standing
- Apparent paralysis
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle tremors that are getting worse over time
- Seizures
- Excessive bleeding