What Is an Emergency?

                Having a sick pet can be a very scary experience. It can also be very stressful, not only for the pets, but for you the owner, too. When your regular veterinarian is not available, it may be hard to decide if your pet requires immediate attention at an emergency clinic. There are certain symptoms that should never be ignored. Seek immediate care for your pet if you see any of the symptoms listed below.

                Gums any color other than pink. You can check the color of your pet’s gums by lifting up your pet’s lips. If you see gums that are white, brick red, blue, purple or gray, get to the emergency clinic immediately.

                Difficulty breathing or abnormal breathing. Any change in your pet’s breathing is cause for immediate concern. Breathing issues are very serious and symptoms can progress extremely rapidly.

                Bloated abdomen. If your pet’s abdomen appears to be swollen, painful and/or if there is non-productive vomiting, have your pet examined immediately. This could be a sign that your pet has eaten something that they should not have.

                Straining to urinate. This can be a sign of a blockage in the urinary tract, which requires urgent treatment. This is especially serious and can cause death in a short period of time if not treated in male cats.

                Facial swelling. If your pet has swelling in any part of the face, seek immediate treatment. This can be caused by an allergic reaction or bug bite, but can progress quickly to swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing.

                Bleeding. Any sign of blood loss from your pet, whether from a wound, mouth nose, genitals or ears should be treated immediately. Also seek treatment for large amounts of blood in vomit or fecal matter.

                It is impossible to list every symptom that should be concerning and frequently, multiple symptoms occur together. If your pet is showing anything abnormal and you are concerned, it is always best to have your pet examined by a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure, you can always call your veterinarian or the emergency clinic, too. When we are closed here at Ash Veterinary Clinic, we have a recording on our answering machine that lists the names and phone numbers of the closest emergency clinics. These clinics are open any time that we are not. They can also help guide you on whether what your pet is experiencing is an emergency or not.