Pet emergencies often require a visit to the vet, especially any serious health problems where diagnostic help is available only from a veterinarian.
Since our four-legged friends are unable to tell us when they are in pain or when something is terribly wrong with them, it’s critical to their health and well-being that we watch out for warning signs that indicate our pet needs to be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, immediately call your veterinarian and explain the problem. Your vet will decide whether your dog’s problem is serious and requires an immediate visit, or whether a later visit can be scheduled at an appropriate time
The following symptoms and signs indicate an emergency condition. You need to contact your veterinarian right away if your dog:
* Has suffered an injury to the eye;
* Has been in a fight with a cat or wild animal like a raccoon (your pet could contract rabies);
* Is bleeding heavily from a cut and you are unable to stop it;
* Has been hit by a moving car or truck (even if there are no visible injuries, your dog could be bleeding internally);
* Has visible puncture wounds to its chest or stomach area;
* Has broken a bone or has had a hard blow to the head;
* Has been bitten by a snake or poisonous spider;
* Has a fever over 105°F (normal is less than 102.5°F);
* Its abdomen appears large, or it continues to try to vomit but nothing comes up;
* Your dog has fallen or jumped from an open window higher than the first story;
* Has chewed an electrical cord and received a shock or burn;
* Has inhaled smoke from a fire and has trouble breathing;
* Has sudden, severe difficulty breathing;
* Is vomiting blood or has uncontrolled vomiting of liquids or food;
* Has bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stool;
* Has continued bleeding from the rectum;
* Suddenly cannot place any weight on one or more of its legs;
* Strains continually but is unable to urinate, or the urine has blood in it;
* Suddenly suffers from extreme lethargy, becomes unconsciousness, or lapses into a coma;
* Has seizures;
* Appears to be in severe or continuous pain;
* Cries while trying to urinate or when touched or picked up;
* Bleeds from the urinary or genital area;
* Has cloudy eyes, squints, or appears to be unable to see.
These are all symptoms indicative of a pet emergency that requires quick action and rational calm thinking on your part. Your faithful companion deserves the best loving care you can give it.
