Is it an Emergency
We understand making appointments for problem visits is sometimes difficult and not always with the haste that the owner would prefer. While we would love to be able to get each pet in with every problem call, the fact of the matter is that we are still a primary care hospital and only have a certain number of slots available daily for these types of visits.
In recent years, more than 11.3 million households in the United States adopted new pets. This has caused an influx of patients for vet practices and emergency hospitals across the country. While we may not be able to see you as urgently as you would hope, we are here to help you navigate this urgent situation.
First and foremost, you need to determine if your pet needs to go to the emergency hospital. While it is impossible to list every reason a pet may need to go to the ER, we are just listing more common reasons.
Hard Swollen Abdomen
There are several reasons that your pet's abdomen may become hard and swollen (or bloated), It's never a good idea to ignore signs of a bloated abdomen in animals. If your pet is showing signs of a bloated abdomen, it's time to head to the emergency vet.
Exposure To Toxins
There are many common human foods, medications, household products, and garden plants that are toxic to dogs. If you find your dog eating something it shouldn't, it's best not to wait for your dog to become severely ill. Call an emergency vet immediately! When it comes to poisons, early treatment is essential for good outcomes.
A list of some common toxic household items includes, but is not limited to:
- Over-the-counter medications such as pain-killers
- The artificial sweetener Xylitol
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- Grapes & Raisins
- Slug bait
- Tulip and Daffodil Bulbs
- Azaleas, rhododendrons, and lilies
Extreme Pain
Pain is always an emergency! If your pet is showing obvious signs of pain such as vocalizing, panting, drooling, or profoundly limping do not allow your pet to suffer needlessly. When your dog is in pain, it's time to head to the emergency vet for care.
Vomiting & Diarrhea
All dogs and cats vomit at some point, and most will have the odd loose stool, however, repeated bouts of vomiting or diarrhea can rapidly lead to dehydration which can be extremely serious. If your pet is repeatedly vomiting or passing loose stool, call your vet or emergency vet immediately for advice.
Inability To Urinate
An inability to urinate (or reluctance to urinate) could be a sign of something serious. If your dog cannot urinate, there is a good chance they are in pain and require urgent veterinary care. Call your vet or emergency vet as soon as possible. Ultimately, it will be up to you whether to take your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. However, when it comes to protecting your dog's health we always feel that it's better to err on the side of caution and make the best-educated guess you can.
