Common Emergencies

&

What to Look for...

In General:

• Any problem that persists longer than 24 hours.
• Any problem that considerably worsens over several hours.
• Any systemic problems such as lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, disorientation, unconsciousness, collapse and fever.
• Body temperature less than 99°F or greater than 104°F.
• Difficulty breathing and/or choking.
• Unable to hear/feel a heartbeat.
• Seizure unless pet is a known diabetic.
• Irritation or injury to the eye(s).
• Straining to urinate.

Gastrointestinal Problems:

• Frequent bouts of vomiting or diarrhea resulting in loss of large volumes of fluid.
• Inability to drink or keep water down.
• Blood or black material (digested blood) in the vomit or stool.
• More than three to four episodes of vomiting or diarrhea in a puppy or in a dog older than 8  years.
• Vomiting following suspected ingestion of foreign material (toys, garbage, rocks, etc).
• Suspected poisoning.
• Suspected bloat (dog has a distended abdomen and is retching).

Bleeding:

• Bleeding from nose, mouth or anus.
• Bleeding accompanied by bruising of the skin, especially on the abdomen.
• Bleeding that cannot be stopped by applying pressure.
• If blood loss is excessive.
• Weakness, difficulty breathing, or reluctance to move after a bleeding episode.

 Lameness:

• Suspected fracture of a limb.
• Non-weight-bearing lameness persisting  for more than 24 hours.
• Swollen, painful joints or a gait that appears as if "walking on eggshells."
• Paralysis of one or more limbs.
• Lameness that does not improve in 48-72 hours.

The below list is of other common emergencies.  This list is to serve as a general guide.

• Abscess
• Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock
• Automobile injury
• Bee Stings/Insect Bites
  
• Bites, cuts, lacerations and fight wounds
• Burns and scalds
• Chemical Injuries
• Dehydration
• Drowning
• Dystocia (Troubled pregnancy-more than 3 to 4 hours between delivering puppies or kittens).
• Eclampsia
• Electrocution
  
• Eye injury
• Falls
• Heat stroke
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
• Heart failure
• Hyperthermia
• Hypothermia
• Impalement
• Injuries
• Poisoning
• Snakebite
• Swollen face and/or limbs
• Sunburn
  

 

 For more information on "Common Emergencies" Click on the below links:

AVMA:  Pet First Aid-Basic Procedures.

HealthyPet.com:  Pet First Aid.

VeterinaryPartner.com:  First Aid and Emergency Care.