Nobody wants to visit their veterinary practice in a panic, but dogs and cats aren’t immune to injuries and mishaps. If your gut is telling you that your dog or cat is experiencing a true medical emergency, please call a local emergency animal hospital and take your pet in immediately.
In the case that your pet is still alert and responsive, you can call our animal hospital near Bridgeport to see how we can help. Here are three examples of emergencies that should be treated as soon as possible.
Intoxication of a Poisonous Ingredient
Some table scraps won’t hurt your cat or dog, but others can have more of a devastating impact than you may realize. Examples of toxications that require immediate treatment include xylitol (this is an artificial sweetener), chocolate, antifreeze, over-the-counter pain medication, lilies, or rat poison.
If any of the above stays in your pet’s system for too long, it can result in liver or kidney failure. Lethargy is a common red flag in addition to avoiding food or vomiting. If possible, try to pinpoint the exact amount that was ingested and get in touch with the Animal Poison Control Center so they can help.
Ingestion treatments may include induced vomiting or hospitalization.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
GDV, commonly referred to as bloat, occurs when your pet’s stomach fills up with air and twists on itself, resulting in no circulation in the stomach. Bloat is particularly common in deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Greyhounds, or Weimaraners.
As this is a life-threatening condition, it needs to be treated immediately with surgery. Warning signs include abdominal pain, bloating of the stomach, or unproductive vomiting. If your dog is hunched over and looks uncomfortable, this may be a sign of GDV. It’s best to seek veterinary services as soon as you can.
Turn to a Team with the Highest Standards of Veterinary Care
Whether you’re new to the Chicago area or you’re looking for a new Bridgeport animal hospital to call home, our team at Urban PetRx can help. For quality pet care and personalized service when your pet needs it the most, rely on our team.
