When the pets get ill or wounded, it can be difficult to determine if they need emergency medical care. While such signs, such as collapse or swelling, are troubling and often prompt pet owners to rush their pet to an animal emergency department, certain life-threatening illnesses do not show such apparent symptoms.
The signs and symptoms mentioned below are not conclusive. It will be impractical to name all symptoms and signs that necessitate urgent emergency treatment so that the list would be much too long. Here are some of the obvious indications that your pet should be seen by a veterinarian right away.
- Bite injuries (from another pet or wildlife)
- Changes in behavior (sudden or significant behavior changes)
- Pets who are in pain may seek refuge in secluded areas or become violent when treated. This is instinctive because they feel helpless and want to defend themselves.
- Bruising
- Breathing problems
- The collapse
- Before collapsing, the pet can show other symptoms such as fainting, trouble breathing, fatigue or stumbling about, excessive panting from overheating, and more.
- suffocation
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive coughing
- Drooling too
- Heat exhaustion
- Ingestion of poisonous/toxic substances
- Accidents (including cuts, lacerations, eye injuries, broken limbs, etc.)
- Weakness or lethargy
- Gums that are pale or discolored
- Suffering
- Severe allergic reactions (swollen face/muzzle/eyes, difficulty breathing, hives, sudden onset diarrhea/vomiting)
- Snake venom
- Abdomen swollen
- This is a frequent symptom of bloat, a potentially fatal illness.
- Trauma/car accident, crash, or other forms of injuries
In certain cases, the pet will show several symptoms. If your pet suffers from heatstroke, it will exhibit excessive drooling, panting, fatigue, stumbling, and collapsing as the condition worsens. If you see your pet exhibiting either of these symptoms, we recommend that you take it to a doctor right away.
And if your pet’s life is not in danger, going to the ER is still a good idea. The emergency veterinarian can detect a disease or illness early and initiate care, often relieving pain and hastening to heal. An ear infection or a pet that needs surgery for hip dysplasia, for example, may not be life-threatening, but it may be excruciatingly painful. Knowing that we will be relieved by the moment makes it easier to bear the pressure. The distinction between pets and humans is that we can decide, while our pets do not. You are the most knowledgeable about our pet. Depending on your pet’s disposition, medical background, and other factors, you may want to take it to an emergency veterinarian immediately.
Workers at emergency animal hospitals are used to taking calls from pet owners who are in a panic. If you are not sure if you can bring your pet in, don’t be afraid to call and inquire. Although they will not diagnose your pet without an examination, they can help guide you in recognizing emergency symptoms or offering advice about steps to take if symptoms progress.
Emergency and urgent care hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If your pet has to be in the hospital, they will do so at a full-service hospital where they can be monitored 24 hours a day by a devoted ICU staff and vet orthopedic surgeon that have access to services that are not available at a primary care center.
