When your pet is hurt in any way, be it from illness or injury, it can be extremely frightening.
As a responsible pet owner, you’ll always try your best to keep your pet safe, but the unexpected can still happen. Pets are curious and playful creatures and can sometimes get themselves into trouble or accidents.
Pets are important members of our families and their health and happiness is a major priority. If you notice something is off with your pet’s behaviour, you need to take steps to ensure they have access to the care and help they require.
In pet emergencies, time is of the essence. That’s why it’s important to know how to recognise signs that your pet is in distress and needs to visit an emergency pet clinic.
Pet care is also quite expensive and may cause you to rely on pet insurance or short loans. Knowing when to take your pet to a professional veterinarian, can help restore your pet’s health as soon as possible. You can also resolve minor health issues as soon as they occur and avoid hefty medical bills.
In this guide, we’ll examine seven warning signs that indicate your pet needs to receive emergency healthcare.
Let’s begin!
1) Trauma from Accident, Fall, Bite and/or Wound
Pets, especially cats and dogs, are often playful and this playfulness may sometimes lead to injury. After an accident, many pets are often unable to properly communicate how serious their injury may be.
That’s why, if your pet has been in an accident or you notice a bite or fall wound, it’s best to consult an emergency vet. With these types of injuries, have them checked out by a professional to ensure your pet’s wound is not life-threatening or infected.
Post-treatment care is also incredibly vital when it comes to pet injuries. Once the injury’s been treated, use a gentle grooming kit for dogs or cats to carefully clean around wounds and keep your pet’s coat in good condition.
2) Disorientation or Behavioural Changes
Behavioural changes are a sign of pet health issues that are often overlooked. If your pet is injured in some way, it may become aggressive to protect itself from further harm.
Disorientation or changes in behaviours are typically seen if your pet is experiencing some kind of internal injury. While the cause may not be visible, changes in your pet’s behaviour may indicate that they need to be taken to an emergency clinic.
3) Swollen Limbs or Limping
Swollen limbs or limping are often seen in pets, particularly dogs or cats, experiencing muscle trauma, a broken bone, or Lyme disease. Typically, swelling can also indicate an allergic reaction that may lead to anaphylactic shock.
If your pet is limping for more than a day, call a veterinarian. If you notice your cat or dog isn’t putting any weight on their leg at all, take them to an emergency vet clinic as soon as you can.
4) Breathing Difficulties
If you notice your pet is struggling to breathe, you need to organise an urgent care appointment. Breathing issues in pets are often signs of heart disease, kennel cough, or even cancer.
There are also certain pets, such as flat-faced dog breeds, who may require surgery to assist with their breathing. If your pet is coughing blood, call your nearest emergency clinic immediately.
5) Straining to Urinate or Defecate
Difficulty with urination or defecation often indicates the presence of a tumour or other neurological issues.
Sometimes, a bladder stone may block the urine from leaving your pet’s body and cause buildup. This buildup of pressure can then rupture the bladder or lead to kidney failure/diseases.
6) Vomiting and/or Diarrhoea
If your pets are experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea, it’s often a cause for concern. While these signs may not always require urgent attention for us humans, they’re important warning signs you need to look out for with your pets.
Vomiting could be caused by non-lethal factors, like motion sickness. However, it could also be a sign of a more severe issue, such as poisoning. That’s why it’s vital to have this abnormal behaviour examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
7) Seizures
Seizures are a serious pet health issue and almost always require urgent attention from a vet. They are often symptoms of epilepsy, but could also be a sign of more concerning issues, such as brain tumours or kidney failure.
Unlike digestion issues or behavioural changes, seizures can be deadly for pets, That’s why they require vital care as soon as possible.
To Wrap Up
As a pet owner, your pets are important to you. That’s why you need to look out for these key warning signs to keep your pet in excellent health.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, call up your veterinarian to plan the next course of action or take them to an emergency clinic.
With the right precautions and swift action, you can keep your pet happy and healthy.
