As a pet owner, one of the most frightening situations that you can experience is having to deal with an emergency illness or injury that occurs with your furry friend. While your first reaction may be to call your vet, many local vets do not operate after business hours or during the weekend. When faced with any of the following emergencies during these times, your best option to go to an animal care clinic.
Your Small Dog Receives an Injury
Smaller dogs are more delicate than their larger counterparts. If your dog is under five pounds and has been injured or seems sick, you should take his symptoms seriously and immediately take him to an animal care clinic.
Stomach Distress
There are a number of gastrointestinal emergencies that make it imperative for you to get your pet to the vet immediately.
Examples of stomach distress that signify a necessary visit to an animal care clinic include:
1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Movement in the stomach that resembles breathing
4. Any abdominal pain
5. Abdominal distention
6. Continual dry heaving
Major Injuries
Any injury to the eye or face should be seen by your local animal clinic as soon as possible. Limbs that are swollen or appear to be broken should be seen immediately, too.
Other major injuries that mean you should take your pet to an animal clinic immediately include:
1. Any post-vaccination side effects, such as swelling
2.Difficulty urinating
3. Distinct vocalizations of pain
4. Seizures lasting for longer than 5 minutes
5. Multiple seizures within an hour
6. Punctures in the chest
7. Problems giving birth
8. Vehicle accidents
9. Electrical shocks
10. Heat strokes and exposure to breathing smoke
Angel City Animal Hospital operates within the Los Angeles area and can be found at angelcityvet.com