Canine Health Emergency

What exactly constitutes a canine health emergency? Basically, it's any situation in which there's not a moment to lose!

You should only take enough time to see that your dog could be in serious trouble.

Head straight for the phone and call your vet or emergency vet clinic.

Let them know you're on your way, and why.

Then grab your car keys and get your dog there fast!

You need to familiarize yourself with this essential information now. You're not going to have time (or presence of mind) to start looking up information when your dog's life is hanging in the balance.

You need to know enough ahead of time so you can act calmly and quickly if an accident or sudden, serious illness should strike your canine companion.

So take a few minutes to skim through these topics and maybe come back later for a more in-depth study session when time permits.

We all like to think nothing will happen to our precious pets, but let's face it--life happens! Be prepared.

Canine Health Emergency Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing--noisy respiration, blue tongue, gasping for breath

• Loss of balance, staggering

• Loss of consciousness

• Tremors or convulsions

• Vomiting or diarrhea with blood or violent episodes

• Pain--severe or continuous

• Lameness--can't bear any weight on the leg

• Bleeding (from any part of the body) that won't stop--Apply pressure with a clean cloth and GO!

• Abdomen that's bloated, distended, swollen or painful--with or without vomiting (may be a life-threatening case of dog bloat)

• Inability to urinate or move bowels, but continues to try, or has bloody stool or urine, or painful defecation or urination

• Heatstroke symptoms--heavy panting, extreme weakness, body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees C.)

  

• Seizure symptoms--tilting of the head, biting at imaginary objects, sudden blindness

• Sudden changes in disposition such as unusual withdrawal or out-of-character aggressiveness

• Penetrating wounds anywhere, but especially in the chest or abdomen

• Ingested poison--Bring the container or the commercial or chemical name of the product or a list of ingredients if you have it.

• Shock--weakness, collapse, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, bewildered appearance, dilated pupils

• Severe bleeding from cuts and wounds

• Internal bleeding

• Broken bones

Be aware of any other signs that look serious, which could be the beginning of a canine health emergency. These may include:

• Frostbite

• Hypothermia

• Eye problems such as glaucoma

• Severe itching with self-mutilation

• Severe hives or rash

Don't just worry and wonder if you should have your dog checked out--call your vet and ask!

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