Just like us, our pets are prone to accidents and injuries, sometimes serious ones. But how do we know if our pets need urgent care? Our veterinarians in Diamond Bar explain which situations require emergency veterinary care, and how you can prepare for them.
Contact your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic immediately
if your pet is having an emergency.
What Are Some Ways To Tell If Your Pet Needs Emergency Care?
Situations warranting emergency care can arise unexpectedly and at any time, and it's wise to be prepared for this to happen to your pet.
It's not always obvious when your cat or dog needs emergency veterinary care. So, you need to know the signs and symptoms that indicate a visit to the emergency vet is necessary. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic for help when in doubt.
Signs of a Veterinary Emergency
- Unconsciousness
- Dilated pupils
- Lameness or inability to walk
- Bloated, swollen, or painful abdomen
- Vomiting or blood in diarrhea
- Seizures
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe injury (falls, car accidents, broken bones, open wounds)
- Loss of balance
- Obvious pain
- Unable to deliver puppies or kittens
- Inability to urinate or defecate
- Inflammation or injury to the eye
- Difficulty breathing, extreme coughing or choking
- Sudden blindness, staggering, or stumbling
- Ingestion of poisonous foods, substances, plants, or bones
Essential Veterinary First Aid To Know
Remember, administering first aid to your pet is not a substitute for veterinary care. It is simply a means of stabilizing your pet for transport to the emergency veterinarian.
Bleeding
Start by muzzling your pet. Place a clean gauze pad over the wound, applying pressure with your hand until the blood begins to clot (usually several minutes). Severe leg hemorrhages require a tourniquet made of gauze and elastic to hold it in place; take your pet to the vet immediately.
Seizures
Remove objects that could injure your pet. Do not try to restrain your pet. Keep your pet warm once the seizure is over and call your vet.
Fractures
Muzzle your pet. Lay the animal down on a flat surface that can be used as a stretcher for transport to the vet. Secure them on the stretcher if possible, avoiding the injured area.
Choking
Be cautious. Your pet may bite out of panic. Look for objects in their mouth and try to remove them if possible, but be careful not to push the object further into the throat accidentally. Don't waste time on this if it's difficult. You could be losing precious time. Bring your pet to the vet immediately.
Being Prepared In Case a Veterinary Emergency Occurs
How You Can Prepare For a Possible Veterinary Emergency
Our vets recommend preparing and having the following available in case of an emergency:
- The phone number for your vet's office
- Directions to the Emergency Vet Clinic or ER for pets
- The phone number for the Animal Poison Control Center
- The phone number for the closest Emergency Vet Clinic
- Knowledge of basic CPR for pets
- Knowledge of how to stop bleeding
- How to muzzle your dog when he's in pain so he doesn't bite others
Don't Forget About The Financial Responsibility Of Emergency Care
Emergency care for your pet can be costly due to the diagnostic tests, monitoring, and treatment required. As a pet owner, it's your responsibility to ensure you can financially care for your pet in a crisis.
It can be easier to plan for unforeseen circumstances by saving for emergencies or taking out pet insurance. Delaying care to avoid emergency costs can put your pet's life at risk, so it's important to take this into account when becoming a pet owner.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.