Sometimes it’s difficult to decide on what medical situation constitutes an emergency. This is especially true with dogs since they can’t communicate any problems. We have to trust our instincts and our familiarity with our dog to discern potentially serious health issues from minor incidents.
If you have been a responsible pet owner you no doubt have a good clinic and veterinarian treating your dog. You should be comfortable in calling your vet with any medical issues you need to discuss. Don’t hesitate to give your veterinarian a call with questions before taking your dog in.
To avoid medical problems, be sure that your dog is all up to date on their regular vaccinations and checkups. Adult dogs should be seen at least once a year and senior dogs or dogs with medical conditions should be seen a couple times a year.
One of the true benefits of bringing your pet to the vet for regular appointments is that the medical office gets familiar with your pet and learns what is normal for them. This is one of the crucial preparation steps when faced with a medical emergency. During the annual exam, your vet should be able to educate you as to what potential health concerns would be typical for the breed of your dog. He can also point out what to expect for the future when it comes to their health as well as behavior.
It is also up to you to observe and relay any changes in your dog to your vet. They rely heavily on the information you give them to diagnose any problems.
When your pet experiences any sort of trauma, you should get them to the vet. Excessive bleeding, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, seizures, distended abdomen, difficulty walking, collapse, pale gums, and lethargy should all be considered serious symptoms and warrant a visit to the veterinarian.
If you suspect that your dog has swallowed a foreign object take your dog to the vet asap!
Precautions That May Avert a Trip to the Veterinarian
Pet-Proof Your Home – You can take steps to avoid injuries and accidents. Be sure the dog doesn’t have access to open windows, electrical cords, high balconies, household trash, prescription meds, and household toxins.
Outdoors – Make sure any fenced in areas are secure and in good condition. Look for any potential escape routes and correct them.
Avoid giving your dog foods that may sicken him. These include grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate.
Provide adequate seasonal protection for your dog. This is an easy one and something that common sense tells you to be doing for your pet to begin with. In the summer, provide adequate shade and plenty of water. This will prevent heat exhaustion and other related health problems. During the cold of winter, provide warm shelter to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Be sure the water dish hasn’t frozen up. Dogs should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
In an Emergency
Optimally, you’ll want to take your dog into your veterinarian if an emergency situation arises. So, find out whether your veterinarian offers after hours or 24 hour emergency care. It’s good to know just when your vet’s office would be available in case you had an emergency on your hands. Some medical offices don’t offer emergency care but they should be able to recommend an office that does.
Once you have the names of a couple emergency facilities, make sure you keep their number and directions handy so you aren’t scrambling when an emergency comes up.
If the problem is urgent, traveling to the closest office may be of the utmost importance but if the condition is less urgent, then visiting a facility that is farther away but better equipped for your particular emergency is your best bet.
If you find yourself with the need to bring your dog in for emergency treatment, call ahead of time or en route to inform them you’re bringing in your dog. Depending on your dog’s emergency and the clinic’s capacity, they may even recommend you go to a different facility. Some clinics cannot handle more than one emergency at one time and they may be forced to redirect you to a different vet’s office.
Some of these emergency offices handle the cases that come in similar to an emergency room for humans. They evaluate the problem and treat the most critical cases first. If you are forced to wait, it may be a good sign. That means your dog is not the most critical case in the hospital or clinic.
Emergencies are scary but with proper precaution and planning, you’ll be ready to handle most medical emergencies that your dog may experience.
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