When Do I Take My Dog To An Emergency Clinic
Many of us have difficulty deciding exactly when a veterinarian emergency room visit is truly required for our dogs when they are sick. Are they simply just not feeling good or is there really something very wrong? Unfortunately they don't have the ability to "tell" us just exactly how bad the problem is.
If an emergency does arise, make sure you know where you need to take your pet. Many vets offer 24/7 emergency services so you need to ask your vet if these services are available through his practice. If your veterinarian does not offer emergency services be sure to locate the nearest pet emergency clinic before you need one.
Unsure whether or not it is really a medical emergency? Many veterinarians suggest that if you think the situation is serious you should immediately call the nearest emergency clinic to seek medical assistance from a veterinary staff member. Clinic personnel will ask you a few brief questions to help assess the gravity of the situation and in many cases will ask that you bring your dog in for further examination.
Difficulties Breathing :
If your dog experiences breathing difficulties, take him to the nearest
emergency clinic without delay. There are numerous reasons why your
dog could be having breathing problems and most of them are serious
medical conditions.
Serious Abdominal Pain:
Should your dog show symptoms of abdominal pain like standing with an
arched back, refusing food, or tenderness to the touch in the abdominal
region you should immediately take him to the nearest emergency clinic.
Additional symptoms regarding abdominal distress may include shaking,
problems breathing, vomiting, or crying. These might be symptoms relating
to Gastric Torsion. This medical condition may come on abruptly and
in the greatest number of cases will affect larger, dogs with deep chests
such as Irish Setters, however this condition can affect any dog breed.
This condition is very serious and needs to be treated quickly. There
are additional health issues which can be linked to abdominal pain like
kidney disease, liver disease, constipation, or the common stomach ache.
However it is always worthwhile to do other tests to make sure there
are not other serious health issues involved.
If Your Dog Has Been Hit By A Car:
If your dog is hit by a car, it is imperative to take him to the closest
emergency clinic without hesitation. Even though he is acting normal,
he could have internal injuries that require immediate medical attention.
Wrap a blanket around your dog to help avoid going into shock. Always
stay away from an injured dogs mouth, as most dogs will bite when they
are in pain, even dogs that have never bitten before.
Wound to the Chest or Uncontrollable Bleeding:
Should your dog receive a serious cut, you must place direct pressure
to the wound using a dry towel or bandage. If you are able to stop the
bleeding in less than ten minutes, you need to call your vet and set
an appointment as quickly as possible. You have a short window of opportunity
for the vet to have the ability to properly stitch the wound. If you
are unable to stop the bleeding in less than twenty minutes or if the
bleeding is due to a wound to the chest, you'll need to transport the
dog to the emergency clinic at once.
Experiencing Convulsions:
Should your dog experience a small seizure, it can be a serious condition
and you need to contact your vet at once. If however, your dog is experiencing
a group of convulsions lasting more than several minutes, you need to
put blanket on your dog. Be sure to stay out of reach of his mouth,
and seek assistance at the closest emergency clinic at once. There are
various conditions which could cause your dog to have convulsions including
brain tumors, metabolic conditions, epilepsy, or poisoning. Any time
your dog experiences a series of seizures it should be considered as
a life threatening condition and you should seek help immediately.
Broken Bones:
Should your dog be involved in an accident and you concerned about broken
bones, call your regular vet to determine if you can obtain an appointment
without a long wait. If you are unable to see your vet quickly, you
should seek assistance from the nearest emergency clinic. Either your
vet or the emergency clinic will take x-rays in order to establish if
bones have actually been broken or not.
For a great resource for dealing with the ordinary day to day situations get a copy of Vet Secrets which is something every dog owner should have in their library. Should a serious situation occur and you think that your dog needs a veterinarian's care, by all means call his office to determine how soon the vet can see your dog. Most veterinarians employ technicians to evaluate medical situations and answer questions to assist you in determining the severity of the dog's health problem.
If your vet is unavailable or you think it is an emergency, then you should call the nearest emergency clinic to let them know what is wrong and that you are on your way with the dog. This will greatly assist the staff at the clinic in preparing for your medical emergency in advance and helps them get ready to treat your dog as soon as you arrive. Ask your veterinarian if you have any additional questions concerning what situations would warrant a visit to your local pet emergency clinic.
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