Pet Dog Emergency Care

Pet Dog Emergency Care

Being a dog owner means preparing for emergencies. While it’s never pleasant to think about, it’s important to know which situations require urgent veterinary care. While this is not a comprehensive list, the information below covers most of the basics. Familiarizing yourself with this information can help you feel more confident in responding to emergencies, and give you peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for any situation that may arise.

Here are some common dog emergencies to keep in mind:

Difficulty Breathing: If your dog is struggling to breathe in any way, head directly to The Pets I Love or to an emergency veterinary hospital. Difficulty breathing is an immediate emergency. Symptoms include labored breathing, particularly look for any changes in tongue color (pale or blue tinged) or gum color (pale or blue tinged) or even open mouth breathing. If you see or suspect these symptoms, call us and seek immediate emergency care.

Seizures: Seeing your dog having seizures is scary for any pet parent. A seizure, also known as a convulsion or fit, is a sudden surge in the electrical activity of the brain causing signs such as twitching, shaking, tremors, convulsions, and/or spasms

If you notice your dog having a seizure but it stops after one to two minutes, give The Pets I Love a call to make an appointment to have your dog seen as soon as possible. If notice your dog having seizures that are short but back-to-back (cluster), or they have more than one, give The Pets I Love a call for an emergency appointment.

Dog Fight: One of your worst fears as a dog owner is that your dog will be hurt by another dog. This is especially true when a small dog has been attacked by a larger dog. All dogs should be seen by a veterinarian after a dog fight. Bite wounds typically involve the head, especially the eyes, ears, nose, or throat. Puncture wounds in the region of the chest, abdomen, or groin may involve severe internal damage.

Vomiting and Diarrhea: Vomiting and diarrhea can be concerning symptoms for dogs. Sometimes, both symptoms will clear up on their own but if your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea for longer than 24 hours, seek urgent care. If it does not clear up or it becomes worse, head to the vet, or your dog may become dehydrated

Here are some common causes for dogs to vomit and have diarrhea:

• Dietary Indiscretion
• Toxicity
• Heat Stroke
• Pancreatitis
• Foreign Bodies

Ingestion of Toxins: If you suspect your dog may have had access to a poisonous substance, it is important to call your team The Pets I Love for assistance immediately. Accurate and timely identification of the suspected substance is very important. Having the container, package, or label in hand will save valuable time and may save the life of your pet.

Here are some common symptoms for feline toxicity:

• Drooling and Decreased Appetite
• Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Tremors, Wobbly and Uncoordinated
• Seizures

We recommend that all pet parents keep these resources in their phones in case of after-hours accidental pet poisoning:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Pet Poison Hotline: (855) 764-7661

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com

The Pets I Love prioritizes your dog’s health and well-being. In case of an emergency, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Our team of experts is available to assist you, and we’re always ready to provide the care and support your dogs’ needs. Remember that prompt action can make all the difference in an emergency situation, so don’t delay in seeking help if you need it.