What Constitutes a Veterinary Emergency?

Cute border collie puppy with an emergency kit.

While no one wants to experience an emergency situation, it’s our duty as responsible pet owners to be prepared for the worst. Whether it’s another animal attack or you notice strange behavior in your pet, recognizing a veterinary emergency and knowing how to respond can make a big difference in the life of your companion.

Recognizing a Veterinary Emergency

Sometimes, pet owners make the dangerous mistake of assuming injuries aren’t serious because there are no visible symptoms or external bleeding. However, some health threats are invisible to the naked eye or symptoms don’t emerge until they become more severe.

You should treat any of the following situations as a veterinary emergency and contact us immediately:

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Hippity-Hoppity Horror: Avoiding a Veterinary Emergency Through Easter Pet Safety 

A dog and a cat wearing bunny ears.

What’s in the Easter basket this year? Could it be something delicious? Could it also be a pet toxin? The Easter holiday, with its abundance of chocolate, candy, and delicious food, is also a big time of year for pet poison emergencies.

The focus on fun and family togetherness during Easter should be extended to your four-legged family through pet safety measures. It’s actually easy with some awareness and simple actions to keep these Easter foes from being eaten by your furry friend. 

A Tisket, a Tasket…Those Easter Baskets

A basket filled with toys and treats, what’s not to like? Your curious pet will also be intrigued and want to investigate, such as:

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Pet Heat Stroke: Not Just a Summer Worry

A dog outside panting.

Pet heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that affects all pets regardless of age, species or breed. The symptoms are most common when the weather is hot and humid, but can also result from strenuous over-exertion or confinement in tight spaces (like a parked car). This means that even though the season’s changing from summer to fall, pets remain at risk. Prevention is definitely the key, but immediate recognition and treatment are critical toward a positive outcome.

Taking Stock

Pet heat stroke happens when the body cannot regulate body temperature. Impacting the entire body, pet heat stroke can damage the nervous system, alter normal cellular and enzymatic functions, injure the tissue, and collapse circulation. Left alone, internal temperatures hovering over 106 degrees can result in fatality.

As mentioned, all animals can suffer from heat stroke, but some pets, like those with short muzzles, the young and senior pets, and those with other health issues are more prone.

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