How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?
A situation in which emergency veterinary care is needed can happen at any time - day or night - and you'll need to be prepared.
However, even the most vigilant pet parent may find it challenging to know when their cat, dog, or other pet requires emergency care. That's why it's helpful to know some of the signs and symptoms that indicate an emergency health issue is happening to your pet. If you still aren't sure, contact your vet or local emergency veterinary clinic for advice.
Signs That Your Pet is Experiencing a Health Emergency
A pet emergency may come in the form of injuries, sudden onset of illness or disease, ingestion of a foreign object, or an accident that causes trauma to your pet's body. Here are some of the most common signs that it's time to seek emergency veterinary care:
- Seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Swollen, bloated, or painful abdomen
- Lameness or inability to walk
- Severe injury (broken bones, gashes, car accidents)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Loss of balance
- Inability to urinate or defecate
- Inflammation or injury to the eye
- Unable to deliver kittens or puppies
- Sudden blindness, stumbling, or staggering
- Extreme coughing, difficulty breathing, or choking
- Ingestion of poisonous plants, bones, substances, or foods
- Obvious pain
- Vomiting or blood in diarrhea
- Unconsciousness
Basic First Aid for Pets
Please note that giving your pet basic first aid is not intended to replace qualified, professional veterinary care. It is solely to help stabilize your pet for a trip to your emergency vet.
If you are unsure of what you should do in your pet's specific emergency, contact us or your local veterinary clinic for advice.
Stop the Bleeding
Your veterinarian may advise you to muzzle your pet before beginning. Place clean gauze over the injury and apply pressure with your hand for several minutes to help stop the bleeding and allow the blood to coagulate. Making a tourniquet from gauze and securing it with an elastic band can help stop severe bleeding in the leg. Bring your pet to a veterinarian right away.
Coping With Seizures
Do not try to restrain your pet. Attempt to remove any objects that can cause harm to your pet. After the seizure is over, keep your pet warm while you phone your vet.
Dealing With Fractures
Muzzle your pet. Lay your pet on a flat surface that can be used as a stretcher to transport them to the vet. If possible, secure your animal to the stretcher, avoiding putting pressure on the injured area.
If Your Pet Is Choking
Your pet may bite out of panic, so it's important to be cautious. Try to check your pet's mouth for objects and try to remove it if possible. Be careful to not accidentally push the object further into your animal's throat. If this is too difficult, don't waste precious time continuing to try. Immediately bring your pet to the vet's office or emergency veterinary clinic for care.
Being Prepared For a Veterinary Emergency
Below, we'll list some ways you can prepare for a pet emergency.
What You Should Know in Advance
You never know when an emergency will strike, but being prepared for a pet emergency can help you provide the best care for your animal as quickly as possible. Our Bellevue vets recommend having the following on hand in case of an emergency:
- The phone number for your vet's office
- The phone number for the closest emergency vet clinic (ER for pets)
- The phone number for the Animal Poison Control Center
- How to muzzle your dog when he's in pain so he doesn't bite others
- Directions to tan emergency veterinary clinic
- Knowledge of basic pet CPR
- Knowledge of how to stop bleeding
Financial Responsibilities
Due to the amount of diagnostic testing, monitoring, and treatment required, emergency veterinary care can be expensive. It is a pet owner's responsibility to ensure that they can financially care for your pet in a time of crisis.
Prepare for unforeseeable circumstances by putting money aside specifically for emergencies, or by signing up for a pet insurance plan. Putting off veterinary care in order to avoid emergency fees could put your pet's life at risk.
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.