A pet emergency is stressful and upsetting, but the best way to make sure you react quickly and calmly is to prepare ahead of time. That starts with knowing the most common emergencies in pets, and how to prevent them. You should keep the number and address of the closest emergency veterinarian in your phone, and be aware of these common pet emergencies.
Trauma & Bleeding
Injuries from car accidents, fights with other animals, and falls can pose a serious threat to your pet’s health and safety. Keep your pet on a leash at all times when outside of your home and yard. Make sure there are no escape routes or areas that allow your pet to get outside or another animal inside. If your pet is bleeding severely from a trauma, go to the emergency veterinarian right away.
Poisoning & Gastrointestinal Distress
Eating items from the trash or getting into dangerous substances can cause accidental poisoning or toxicity in pets. Keep the trash tightly closed and all chemicals, cleaners, medications, and other toxins locked away securely. Make sure your pet doesn’t have access to poisonous plants. If your pet vomits or has diarrhea more than once in a 24-hour period, you should take him to the veterinarian. If he has vomiting and diarrhea along with dehydration, loss of appetite, disinterest in play, loss of consciousness, disorientation, loss of balance, or seizures, take him to the emergency veterinarian.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke occurs when a pet is outside for too long in hot weather, or is inside in a hot environment without shelter and/or access to clean water. Heat stroke and other heat illnesses can be life-threatening. Be aware of the symptoms and don’t leave your pet outside for more than 10–15 minutes in temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet shows symptoms of heat stroke, he should visit an emergency veterinary hospital right away.
Don’t ignore any warning signs of injury or illness in your pet. If you have any doubt as to what is considered a medical emergency, err on the side of caution and take your pet to an emergency veterinary hospital.
