Dogs and a cat sitting in the waiting room wearing casts and bandagesYou know your pet better than anyone, but sometimes it can be difficult to detect the subtle signs that he or she is suffering. What do you do when Fluffy just seems a bit “off?” Indeed, what qualifies as a real pet emergency?

While certain warning signs are anything but vague, some pet emergencies are only addressed as a result of an owner’s hyper-vigilance.

It’s OK to Call Any Time

At BEEVET Animal Hospital, we love our community of pets and animal lovers, and our team seeks to serve every patient who comes through our doors.

Our business hours are:

Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

We’re happy to answer any questions regarding your pet’s health and wellbeing. After hours, we recommend contacting Austin Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center or Emergency Animal Hospital of NW Austin.

Course of Action

Please call us if you notice your pet behaving oddly. Many animals will try to hide or mask troubling symptoms, which is usually indicative that medical care is needed. It’s important to recognize the signs of pet injury or illness and to jot down any observations that may prove helpful when discussing an effective course of treatment. The following considerations are also important:

  • Keep a pet first-aid kit handy.
  • Protect yourself (your pet may try to scratch or bite you).
  • Keep a large towel nearby or inside your travel carrier in case you have to wrap it around your pet for transport to our hospital.
  • Apply pressure to an open wound.
  • Bring in any materials or substances if you suspect a poisoning.
  • Be prepared to supply any required paperwork or medical records for your pet.
  • Keep printed directions to our facility easily accessible.

Staying Calm During a Pet Emergency

When your pet is suffering, every moment counts. If you are able to remain calm when assessing the situation, you’ll have more information to better care for your pet.

You may have a pet emergency if your pet is:

  • Unconscious or cannot stand or move
  • Bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or in the waste
  • Not breathing and doesn’t have a heartbeat
  • Experiencing a trauma following severe injury, car accident, or fall
  • In grave pain and cannot stop shaking or whining
  • Painful or straining during urination
  • Sustaining a toxic poisoning
  • Disoriented
  • Gagging, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Convulsing or seizing
  • Having difficulty breathing or appears to have something lodged in the throat
  • Showing signs of heatstroke
  • Refusing to eat or drink
  • Displaying white, yellow, or grey gums

Treatment and Recovery

It can be extremely difficult to watch your pet sustain a life-threatening injury or illness. While we hope there is never an emergency situation, you can rest assured your pet will receive the highest standards of care at BEEVET Animal Hospital.

We encourage you to stay connected with us to receive reminders and tips that help you support your pet at home. Remember, through regular wellness exams, we can detect slowly-developing conditions before the need for immediate care arises.

Please contact us with any questions about how to prepare for a pet emergency or how to properly manage one.

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Posted in: Pet Emergencies & First Aid
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