Top Pet Emergencies That Need Immediate Care

As a pet parent, it's your job to make sure your four-legged friend stays healthy and happy. Bringing your pet in for a regular vet check-up can help to keep them in good health. But there might be times between regular vet visits and exams when your pet needs medical attention. In some cases, your pet might need treatment and care at an emergency animal hospital Jacksonville Beach, FL., right away.

Some pet emergencies are more common than others. Here's what to look out for and how to know when you need to bring your pet in for veterinary services immediately.

Bleeding

Your pet might have bleeding for a number of reasons. They might have been injured in a fight with another animal, such as another dog at a dog park or a wild animal in the woods. They might have fallen or gotten hit by a car. In some cases, bleeding occurs because of an injury inside your pet, such as a tumor. Whatever the cause of the bleeding, if it continues for more than five minutes, you need to bring your pet to an emergency veterinarian. An emergency vet will identify the cause of the bleeding and find a way to stop it so that your pet can get better.

Trouble Breathing

If you notice that your pet is having trouble taking a breath or that they are breathing rapidly, bring them to an emergency vet right away. Breathing problems can be a sign of any number of issues, including heart failure and heatstroke. In some cases, your pet's breathing problems might come in the form of them gagging or coughing continuously.

High Fever

Cats and dogs can develop fevers too, and those fevers can be just as dangerous for them as they are for humans. Pets have a higher normal body temperature than humans, usually between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're able to take your pet's temperature and it's over 103, your best option is to bring them in to be seen by a vet.

Since it can be tricky to use a thermometer to get your pet's temperature, there are some signs you can look out for to determine if they have a fever or not:

• Refusal to eat
• Lethargy or less energy than usual
• Warm ears
• Shivering

Losing Consciousness

If your pet passes out or seems to have trouble staying awake, you should bring them in to be seen by a vet ASAP. In dogs, a sudden loss of consciousness can be a sign that not enough oxygen is reaching the brain. It can also be a sign of a serious problem with your pet's heart and should be checked out by a vet right away.

Bathroom Problems

Changes to your pet's bathroom habits, whether they develop diarrhea or stop going to the bathroom altogether, can be a medical emergency. Your pet might have diarrhea or vomiting because they ate something they shouldn't have. If they haven't urinated or eliminated for more than 12 hours, that can be a sign that something is obstructing their bowels or bladder.

Whether they have a fever, bleeding, loss of consciousness, or digestive distress, your pet needs emergency vet care. For their sake, bring them to an emergency vet care clinic in Jacksonville Beach, FL, right away if you notice any of the above concerns.

If you're not 100% sure whether your pet needs immediate treatment, the team at Forever Vets Animal Hospital can help you out. Call (904) 367-2787 and let us know what's going on with your companion, and we'll let you know what you can to do help them feel better quickly.

Serving Jacksonville, Orlando, Nocatee, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and more.