The Three Most Common Types of Animal Emergencies

Jul 19, 2018 | Emergency Situations, Uncategorized

When your pet is suffering, it’s time for an emergency visit to the veterinarian. Because pets cannot speak, it may take longer to diagnose what is wrong, so don’t delay and get your pet the medical attention it needs.

In order to help you provide the veterinarian with the most complete information possible, here are three of the most common pet emergencies.

1. Ingestion Issues

Some foods that are perfectly all right for humans are toxic to their pets. You’ve probably heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, but it can kill cats too—it’s the theobromine in it that makes it dangerous.  Other common foods that also threaten your dog’s life are foods with the artificial sweetener xylitol, raisins, grapes and nuts. Cats should never eat raw tomatoes, raw potatoes or other root vegetables like onions—these are deadly to felines. Both dogs and cats can accidentally ingest toxic chemicals such as insecticides, rat poison, household cleaners, prescription medicine and fertilizers.

2. Trauma

Whether your dog got hit by a car or your cat got attacked by a dog, trauma is a top reason for pets to make an emergency room visit. Blunt force trauma, such as a run-in with a car, may not seem dangerous if there is no blood, but internal injuries could be severe. Bites, cuts, scrapes and more can damage skin and underlying tissues like fat and muscle, introducing infection quickly without medical attention.

3. Respiratory Distress

Coughing, choking, labored breathing and swelling of the throat all point to respiratory distress in your pet. It could mean viral or bacterial lung infections, allergic reaction to insect bites, sensitivity to medicine or vaccines, heart failure or even cancer. Take your pet to a vet immediately if you notice any difficulty breathing so the vet can evaluate immediately.

To find out if your pet should be seen by an emergency vet, take advantage of the vet’s 24 hour access emergency care and make inquiries. The veterinarian or technician on duty will be able to tell you whether you should wait and observe your pet longer or bring your pet in right away. It’s never wrong to call for advice, and if your pet’s condition ends up being serious, you’ll be glad you did.

For more information, contact our team at VETSS, a Charlottesville VA urgent care animal hospital!

Planning for your Pet when Traveling

As the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions wind down and things open up, many people are taking trips again. During the pandemic there was an explosion of pet ownership. Now you may be wondering what to do with your beloved pet or how best to transport them safely. This...

A Summer Guide to Heat Stress and Heat Stroke for Dog Owners

As we get into summer and the temperature rises, it’s important to be aware of how the heat affects your pup. Please read below to recognize the signs of heat stress and know when you should seek veterinary care for your pet. I’m comfortable outside. Why is my dog so...

A Caring Guide to Planning for the Loss of Your Pet

Having pets is one of the most rewarding relationships a person can have. They provide us with humor, love, and lots of snuggles. With all pet families, however, there comes a time when we must say goodbye. Preparing to Say Goodbye to Your Pet For some, this comes...

One Shot. Four Viruses. Protect Your Dog With the DAPP Vaccine

New dog owners are often full of questions: Why does my dog chew this? Why did it eat that? One of the most important questions is, “Why does Lucky need all these vaccines?” Simply put, puppies are very vulnerable to diseases. Which is why it is pretty amazing that...

Resource Topics

Why Your Pet May Need to See the Dentist too!

Bad breath is disgusting, yet for some reason we just laugh it off in our pets. Sometimes bad breath, also known as...

VETSS Provides Non-Emergency Care For All Animals!

VETTS is Charlottesville’s only 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital—That will never change. What has changed is, we...
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
1 week ago
VETSS

Happy came to us not feeling so happy, but with some medication and lots of cuddles from the team he is feeling much better! 🐱❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

Happy came to us not feeling so happy, but with some medication and lots of cuddles from the team he is feeling much better! 🐱❤️
2 weeks ago
VETSS

Today marks the first day of autumn, can you believe it?! What are your pet's favorite seasonal activities to do? 🍂🍁 ... See MoreSee Less

Today marks the first day of autumn, can you believe it?! What are your pets favorite seasonal activities to do? 🍂🍁
2 weeks ago
VETSS

Did you know this?
Rabies is no joke! Contact us today if you are ready to protect your pet against rabies 📱
... See MoreSee Less

Did you know this?
Rabies is no joke! Contact us today if you are ready to protect your pet against rabies 📱Image attachment
Load more