Some signs that your pet needs to see a veterinarian right away
If you are concerned about ANY signs that you are seeing in your pet, the answer to that question is ALWAYS “YES!”
At The Pet Doctor, we will always see your pet the same day for any injury or illness that concerns you. You know your pet better than anyone, so if you see signs that something just isn’t right, have your pet assessed. It is always better to be safe, rather than waiting and having a more severe medical problem for your pet.
We have a list of physical and behavioral signs that indicate that your pet needs to see a veterinarian right away. We also have a list of symptoms that can maybe wait a little while, but need to be seen if they continue. This list should not be used as medical advice. This list should be only a suggestion…if you think your pet has a serious condition or you are worried, bring them in!! Emergency after hours contact information is also listed on the site. If it is outside of our regular business hours, please contact the emergency numbers that are listed. They can help you determine if your pet needs to be seen.
Here are some signs that your pet needs to see the veterinarian right away:
1. Abdominal pain. The pet is pawing at his stomach, he’s crouched instead of sitting in a relaxed manner or in a “praying” position, or if he refuses to let his stomach be touched. He could be suffering from a urinary tract infection, organ disease, a blockage of his digestive tract, or internal bleeding. Blocked cats can become critical within 24 hours, so go in immediately if you notice a cat (especially male), who is going to the litter box and crying and producing little or no urine. An enlarged or distended abdomen can also signal a medical emergency, such as bloat in a large breed dog or abdominal bleeding. Vaginal discharge can be a sign of a serious uterine infection which can quickly become life threatening in an intact female.
2. Bleeding. If a cat or dog is bleeding at all from his eyes or ears, or if the blood is spurting or dripping very rapidly from ANY area, bandage it or put pressure on it if possible and call your veterinarian while you’re packing the pet in the car. Any animal bite that causes an open wound should also be seen quickly. Bruising that is severe or seems to be getting worse also needs to be seen.
3. Blindness that comes on suddenly. If a cat or dog is bumping into things or is afraid to walk because she can’t see, he could be suffering from a detached retina or glaucoma. If treated very quickly, normal vision can sometimes be regained if the condition is not too severe.
4. Any eye injury, no matter how mild it seems, should be seen. Eye damage can occur very quickly and lead to a loss of vision or even loss of the whole eye. Pupils that seems to be abnormally dilated or constricted and do not respond normally to light should also be addressed.
5. Difficulty breathing. If a cat or dog is wheezing or experiencing labored breathing, she could be having an asthma attack, heart or lung problems, or anaphylactic shock (life-threatening allergic reaction). Get to the veterinarian right away.
6. Any allergic reaction including vomiting after medications or vaccination, facial swelling or hives (seen best on the stomach or in very short haired pets) should be seen immediately.
7. Gum Color. If you see blue, white or very pale gums, seek veterinary care immediately. This is even more important if associated with increased respiratory rate or effort. The pet is not able to oxygenate his tissues adequately and this could be life threatening.
8. Lameness or inability to put weight on limbs. Cats and dogs instinctively hide their pain, so if they are hurting enough to visibly favor a leg, then it’s serious. He could have a fracture, infection, wound, disk herniation or other problems.
9. Seizures. If a cat or dog is having convulsions, spasms, twitching, or acting disoriented, he may be having a seizure or he may have been poisoned. Seizures that last more than a few minutes can lead to permanent brain damage if left untreated.
10. Any collapse or loss of consciousness is considered an emergency. Dizziness, imbalance or circling also needs to be addressed quickly.
11. Staggering. This could be a sign of a middle ear infection, neurological disorder, or poisoning.
12. Vomiting or diarrhea more than once within an hour or more than 3-4 times in one day, especially if the vomit or diarrhea is bloody. The pet could have swallowed a foreign object or she could be suffering from liver or kidney disease. Intestinal disturbances and poisoning also cause frequent vomiting. Parvo virus infection is also always a concern in puppies.
13. Body temperature less than 99F degrees or over 103F degrees needs to be seen immediately by a veterinarian. Any thermal stress, such as being trapped in a clothes dryer or found when it is cold and wet outside should be seen, even if the pet seems to have recovered. The internal story could be quite different. Take a temperature and call your veterinarian to see if there are any immediate steps you need to take prior to taking him in.
14. Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product. Keep the ASPCA animal poison control hotline number nearby. They can give you advice on almost any toxin. Their number is (888) 426-4435. There is a charge for their service.
15. Pets with signs of dehydration should be seen immediately.
16. Guidelines for triage and need for emergency care of pregnant dogs and cats
a) The pet has been pregnant for over 72 days from the breeding date (if known).
b) More than 24 hours have passed since her temperature drop without any signs of labor.
c) The female has been in labor for 8 hours or longer without progressing.
d) Twenty minutes of active, hard labor (pushing) without a puppy or kitten born.
e) A dark greenish to brown vaginal discharge (lochia) without a puppy or kitten born within fifteen minutes. (Some veterinarians use one hour as the cut-off instead of fifteen minutes. I use a shorter time frame to allow you to get help before the baby dies.)
f) Four hours between puppy births with no straining. Cats can sometimes go longer and be okay, but this is still a good guideline.
g) Puppy or kitten stuck in the pelvic canal.
h) If you feel something is wrong, never hesitate to get help! Your veterinarian can check the fetal heart rates for distress with an ultrasound and take action if needed. As a veterinarian, I would much rather check and make sure everything is progressing normally, than wait and lose a puppy or kitten. It seems as though sometimes getting in the car to head to the vet is all it takes to get them to go ahead and deliver.
There are MANY other medical emergencies that I have not addressed here and would warrant an immediate trip to the veterinarian’s office.
In general, you should contact your vet if you notice any signs that you deem abnormal for a dog or cat. It is better to be cautious than to wait. In some cases, your vet may be able tell you if something does not need to be addressed right away. In other situations, your vet may advise you make an appointment or to go to an emergency clinic, depending on the urgency. Above all, follow your veterinarian’s advice.
Here is a list of things that can become more serious if left untreated:
Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following signs lasting more than 1-2 days:
- ANY condition that you have been treating that seems to be getting worse or if it just seems like you aren’t getting it under control as expected.
- Behavior changes
- Poor Appetite
- Lethargy or loss of energy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lameness or abnormal movement
- Neurologic signs
- Weakness
- Excessive salivation
- Excessive thirst (increased water intake)
- Frequent and/or inappropriate urination
- Constipation
- Excessive scratching or dull, dry, or flaky hair coat
- Wheezing or frequent panting
- Nasal discharge or congestion
- Eye discharge or redness
- Displays of mild to moderate pain (such as crying when a specific area is touched or action is taken)
