Three Dog Emergencies That Require A Trip To The Nearest Animal Hospital
When your dog is sick or injured, it can be difficult to determine whether the dog needs emergency care or the problem can wait until your normal veterinarian's office is open. It's important to keep things in perspective, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't react to a gut feeling. If you believe that your dog needs emergency treatment, then you should take your dog to the nearest animal hospital. However, if you aren't quite sure, learn more about what type of dog emergencies need immediate care.
Protracted Diarrhea or Vomit
It's common for dogs to vomit or have diarrhea when they have an upset stomach. So, you don't need to go to the emergency vet every time this happens. If your dog vomits once or has a loose bowel movement, chances are rest and bland food will fix the situation.
However, when a dog vomits and/or has diarrhea repeatedly, the dog can become dehydrated. Dehydration in dogs can happen rapidly -- they only need to lose 10 percent of their body fluid to become dehydrated -- and be life threatening. Additionally, repeated vomiting and diarrhea could indicate your dog has a major issue, such as a gastrointestinal obstruction. So, if your dog has been having stomach problems all day and your regular vet's office isn't open, you should consider going to an animal hospital.
Difficulty Breathing
Any time your dog is having problems breathing, you need to take the dog to the vet as soon as possible. Breathing problems are considered a major emergency, and can show in dogs in several different ways. You might notice your dog gasping for breath when breathing, but making small, funny noises or puffing the lips out when breathing also indicates that your dog is having breathing problems.
Involved in a Traumatic Experience
If your dog is struck by a car or gets into a fight with a larger dog, you might not always be able to see the injury. Sometimes, dogs who have been involved in a traumatic experience appear to be fine. However, the dog could be suffering from a major internal injury without showing any symptoms. So, if your dog has fallen from a decent height, been in a fight, or been involved in an accident, you should take the dog to the nearest animal hospital.
Unfortunately, your dog can't verbalize the way he or she feels at any given time, so it's up to your to decide whether or not your pet needs emergency care. However, all dogs need to go to an animal hospital if they are having trouble breathing, vomiting or having diarrhea excessively, or are involved in a traumatic experience.
Contact a center like Bayshore Animal Hospital & Bird Practice for more help.