Dog owners need to educate themselves about what qualifies as a canine emergency. Basically, emergencies are any situation where time is of the essence.
Emergency first aid and follow-up care can mean the difference between your dog living happily ever after or succumbing to the problem. Be prepared! An emergency is no time to start the education process. In this article, we’ll discuss different scenarios that constitute emergency situations.
It is important to be able to quickly assess any health situation or injury. If you think your dog is in serious trouble, move fast. Stabilize the dog. Call the vet’s office. Tell them you are on the way. Grab the car keys and move. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
Difficulty breathing is one emergency you should not take lightly. If your dog is gasping for breath or has noisy respiration, call for emergency service immediately. In addition, a blue tongue is a sign of serious problems.
Loss of balance, staggering, loss of consciousness, tremors, convulsions and seizures qualify as an emergency situation. Dogs that begin biting at imaginary objects or suffer sudden blindness or those that experience sudden changes in their disposition such as unusual aggressiveness or withdrawal may be suffering from a medical problem that needs prompt attention. Don’t assume your dog is just having a bad day!
Violent bouts of vomiting or diarrhea can be a sign of a serious problem. This is especially true if you see any signs of blood.
Bleeding from any part of the body that cannot be stopped with the application of pressure is an emergency that needs immediate attention.
Heavy panting, extreme weakness and a body temperature 104 degrees Fahrenheit or above can be an indication of heatstroke. This is an emergency. Get help quickly.
If your dog is unable to urinate, call the veterinarian immediately. The inability to urinate can be fatal.
A veterinarian should see dogs that cannot have bowel movements. Some situations may be minor, but this can also be a sign of serious health issues.
A vet should see a dog that has a bloated, distended or painful abdomen immediately. This is true whether or not the dog is vomiting.
Female dogs that are giving birth should be watched very closely. The inability to deliver puppies or labor contractions that last more than an hour are an indication of a serious problem.
Severe or continuous pain can be an emergency situation. It is best to play it safe and treat it as an emergency.
Broken bones or major trauma, injury or shock resulting from vehicle accidents (this includes being hit by one), falls and wounds constitute an emergency. Penetrating wounds, especially in the abdomen and chest areas, are serious.
A dog that suddenly shows signs of weakness, collapse, shallow breathing, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat or a bewildered appearance could be suffering from a number of serious medical problems. Don’t wait to see how the dog is tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come.
Poison is not something to mess around with. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a poisonous substance, it is best to take the container along to the veterinarian. The container includes information that may be very helpful to the vet. The more information you can provide, the better.
Serious lameness can also be an indication of a serious problem. It is best to let the veterinarian diagnose it.
Please don’t call a veterinarian and tell them you have an emergency simply because you have a whim to get the dog’s nails trimmed or for vaccination. While this may sound a bit silly, it is a common problem. Respect others. You could be taking time away from another dog that is suffering from a life and death situation.
Related posts:
- The Most Common Dog Emergencies
- Canine Bladder Stones
- Canine Urinary Problems
- Canine Ear Infections
- Canine Eye Care
