Is it an emergency?
These conditions require immediate attention -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norma Bennett Woolf The Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Cincinnati compiled this list of pet health emergencies. If your animal has any of the following symptoms, call CPVETS and tell the receptionist that you are bringing in a pet that has Difficulty breathing, noisy respiration, blue tongue, gasping for breath. Bleeding that does not stop from any part of the body; apply pressure with a clean cloth and go! Bloated or distended abdomen or swollen or painful abdomen with or without vomiting. Inability to urinate or move bowels but continues to try or has bloody stool or urine or painful defecation or urination. Heatstroke heavy panting extreme weakness body temperature about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Inability to deliver puppies or kittens, labor contractions for longer than one hour or more than 15 minutes of labor with the fetus or membrane showing. Loss of balance or consciousness or seizure, including tremors, coma, staggering, convulsions, sudden blindness, tilting of the head, biting at imaginary objects, sudden changes in disposition such as unusual withdrawal or out-of-character aggressiveness. Pain, severe or continuous. Major trauma, injury, or shock from falls, vehicle accidents, wounds, cuts, broken bones shows signs of: weakness, collapse, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, bewildered appearance, dilated pupils. Ingested poison; bring the container or the commercial or chemical name of the product or a list of ingredients if you have it. Penetrating wounds anyplace, but especially in the chest or abdomen. Vomiting or diarrhea with blood or violent episodes. Lameness and cannot bear any weight on the leg. Any other signs that look serious, such as: eye problems, severe itching with self-mutilation, severe hives Also for exotic pets/birds Severe lethargy, sitting on the bottom of the cage and fluffed or laying on its side or unable to stand. Poorly responsive to activities that normally interest your pet such as toys, opening cage door, treats, etc. All birds and exotic pets coming in MUST be contained in a cage or carrier, for the safety of the pet. A bird or exotic pet on a human hand or shoulder is a risk, because if it is frightened, it may bite the owner. If it is startled it may jump off your shoulder and be further injured or lost. If a bird is flighted, it could end up flying away and become lost. Owners should bring small birds in their cage, which has not been cleaned, so that the vet can evaluate the droppings. Large birds may be brought in a carrier. Owners should bring in papers from the bottom of the cage, if possible. If the bird or exotic pet is very ill, on the bottom of the cage (birds more so), you should bring the pet in a dark, warm box instead of its cage. An easy way to keep an ill pet warm during transport is to fill a few jars with hot water, then wrap them in towels, and placing them in the box with the pet. In place of jars, ziplock baggies (double bag), latex gloves or hot water bottles can also be used. Bring in any medications, supplements or alternative medicine treatments that you have been giving. Also if possible bring a 2-3 day supply of your pets normal diet. |
