There are certain illness and injuries that need to be seen by a vet right away. Some things can wait until the morning, like if your typically healthy dog vomits once. However, other things, such as bloat”, need to be seen immediately. Here are 5 medical conditions that you need to take your pet straight to the vet for.
1. Difficulty Breathing
If your pet is breathing heavily, puffing their lips, breathing faster, or just plain seems to be breathing “weird”, get him to a vet immediately. Difficulty breathing can be a symptom of so many different things, which means your vet will likely want to take x-rays and run blood work.
2. Bloat
Bloat is one of the scariest pet emergencies because of how rapidly pets can decline when suffering from this. Bloat, also known as Gastric Dilation-Volvus (GDV), is when a dogs stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and then expands and sometimes rotates 90°-360°. This can cut off blood flow to the heart and other vital organs, significantly lower blood pressure, and cause shock. While bloat is typically seen in larger, deep-chested breeds such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Boxers, it can happen to any dog. Signs of bloat can include restlessness, attempting to vomit, bloated abdomen, whining, and nausea.
3. Unable to Urinate
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are painful, but they can also be very dangerous. If your pet has woken you up multiples times to go potty, or your cat is scratching endlessly at their litterbox, they may have an UTI. However, if your pet is unable to urinate, or is only able to pass a small amount of urine, there is a serious problem. Urinary obstructions may be due to inflammation or pressure on the urethra or even a blockage. If your pet is unable to urinate and the issue is not resolved fairly quickly, the bladder could rupture. This would cause urine to leak into the abdomen and introduce massive infection, as well as be extremely painful.
4. Blunt Force Trauma
Whether your pet was hit by a car or kicked by a horse, if there is any blunt force trauma, you should immediately to take your pet to the vet. Even if the outside of your pet appears normal or there is only a small bump, they need to be examined. Some internal injuries may not be visible from the outside for several hours. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
5. Exposure to Toxins
If you suspect that your pet has eaten some sort of toxin (i.e. chocolate, chemicals, certain plants, medications, etc.), bring them to a veterinarian. There are so many different things that are toxic to animals. For a more comprehensive list, check out this link by the ASPCA.
If you notice any of these in your pet, PLEASE get them to a veterinarian IMMEDIATELY! While we will always see your pets during business hours, please note that Market Street Animal Clinic is not a 24/7 hospital. We recommend that you find the closest emergency vet hospital to you so that you can be prepared in the event that your pet has a medical emergency and we are not open.
While we certainly hope you will never have to bring your pet in for one of these emergencies, we are here for you. If possible, please call us to let us know you are on your way. That way we can be prepared for your pet as best as we can.
