Common Emergencies
CARES treats over 10,000 pets-in-crisis annually and is the first choice emergency and referral center for many of the area veterinarians.
To help you recognize an emergency situation with your own pet, listed below are some helpful signs that indicate a problem:
Here is a list of frequently seen emergency situations along with their clinical signs.
- Pets who get hit by cars
- Any animal that is hit by a car should be carefully examined by a veterinarian due to the possibility of internal injuries. If the pet is conscious, be warned that the animal might be in pain and try to bite. Please, use a leash when walking your dog.
- Any animal that is hit by a car should be carefully examined by a veterinarian due to the possibility of internal injuries. If the pet is conscious, be warned that the animal might be in pain and try to bite. Please, use a leash when walking your dog.
- Heat Stroke
- A pet left out in the sun, exercised in hot weather, locked in a car, or left in a hot home without air conditioning may quickly develop heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke include: loud panting, bright red gums, or a staring expression. As an owner, you should bring your pet's temperature down by soaking them with cold water and covering them with cold wet towels, if possible before rushing them into the hospital. Heat stroke can be fatal if body temperature is above 106°F.
- A pet left out in the sun, exercised in hot weather, locked in a car, or left in a hot home without air conditioning may quickly develop heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke include: loud panting, bright red gums, or a staring expression. As an owner, you should bring your pet's temperature down by soaking them with cold water and covering them with cold wet towels, if possible before rushing them into the hospital. Heat stroke can be fatal if body temperature is above 106°F.
- Convulsions / Seizures
- Convulsions or seizures are uncontrolled body tremors that may involve specific regions of the body or the animal's entire body. Any pet convulsing for the first time or for more than 3 minutes or having multiple seizures should be seen immediately. Be sure to keep your hands out of the pet's mouth; these patients do not swallow their tongues.
- Convulsions or seizures are uncontrolled body tremors that may involve specific regions of the body or the animal's entire body. Any pet convulsing for the first time or for more than 3 minutes or having multiple seizures should be seen immediately. Be sure to keep your hands out of the pet's mouth; these patients do not swallow their tongues.
- Poisoning or Toxicity
- The types of toxins that pets are most likely to consume include rat poison, accidental ingestion of medications, snail bait, insecticides, antifreeze and certain poisonous plants. In order for your veterinarian to better treat your pet, you should bring the packaging the toxin came in or know the exact name of the toxin and when it was ingested. A number all pet owners should have: Animal Poison Control 800-548-2423.
- The types of toxins that pets are most likely to consume include rat poison, accidental ingestion of medications, snail bait, insecticides, antifreeze and certain poisonous plants. In order for your veterinarian to better treat your pet, you should bring the packaging the toxin came in or know the exact name of the toxin and when it was ingested. A number all pet owners should have: Animal Poison Control 800-548-2423.
- Difficulty Giving Birth
- Difficulty giving birth includes: straining to have a puppy or kitten for more than an hour, crying, or acting painful, red or green tinged vaginal discharge that persists for more than 12 hours after delivery, or if the mother is vomiting, weak, or trembling. Birthing problems are dangerous to both the mother and the babies, and require immediate medical attention.
- Difficulty giving birth includes: straining to have a puppy or kitten for more than an hour, crying, or acting painful, red or green tinged vaginal discharge that persists for more than 12 hours after delivery, or if the mother is vomiting, weak, or trembling. Birthing problems are dangerous to both the mother and the babies, and require immediate medical attention.
- Allergic Reaction
- Pets can have a reaction to bee stings, carpet cleaners, lawn chemicals, or vaccines. If the pet has difficulty breathing, facial swelling, hives, begins to vomit or have diarrhea, they should be seen immediately.
- Pets can have a reaction to bee stings, carpet cleaners, lawn chemicals, or vaccines. If the pet has difficulty breathing, facial swelling, hives, begins to vomit or have diarrhea, they should be seen immediately.
- Bloat
- This is a serious, life threatening condition of the gastrointestinal system. There is a greater incidence in large, deep chested dogs (i.e. Great Danes, German Shepherds, etc.). The condition involves a swelling of the stomach with gas, fluid, and / or food, creating a bloated abdomen. Signs of bloat include: excessive salivation, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit with production of thick foam like saliva, abdominal pain and distention.
Dogs exhibiting these signs should be seen immediately.
- This is a serious, life threatening condition of the gastrointestinal system. There is a greater incidence in large, deep chested dogs (i.e. Great Danes, German Shepherds, etc.). The condition involves a swelling of the stomach with gas, fluid, and / or food, creating a bloated abdomen. Signs of bloat include: excessive salivation, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit with production of thick foam like saliva, abdominal pain and distention.
- Cats Straining to Urinate
- Feline urologic syndrome (FUS) or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats is characterized by the formation of crystals or stones in the bladder which can cause an obstruction of the urinary tract. Although males are more commonly affected, females can also develop problems. Signs of FUS include: urination in places other than the litter box, increased licking of the genital area, straining to urinate, frequent attempts to urinate, crying, or blood in the urine. These cats should be seen immediately. Obstruction of the urinary tract is a serious life threatening condition.
- Feline urologic syndrome (FUS) or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) in cats is characterized by the formation of crystals or stones in the bladder which can cause an obstruction of the urinary tract. Although males are more commonly affected, females can also develop problems. Signs of FUS include: urination in places other than the litter box, increased licking of the genital area, straining to urinate, frequent attempts to urinate, crying, or blood in the urine. These cats should be seen immediately. Obstruction of the urinary tract is a serious life threatening condition.
- Inability to Walk
- Any pet that loses the ability to walk should be evaluated by a veterinarian. In many cases, the inability to walk may be due to spinal problems such as an acute disk rupture. Other possibilities include tumors, trauma, and degenerative diseases. Additionally, there may be a systemic medical problem that is causing generalized weakness. Any pet that is exhibiting signs of difficulty walking should be seen immediately.
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