Just like humans, pets get sick. However, it can be difficult to know when your pet’s sickness requires vet care and assistance. Some health situations are emergencies and not getting your pet vet care can have serious consequences. At Regal Animal Hospital in Lake Worth, Florida, we’re here to help in those times of crisis. Here are some common pet emergencies requiring vet care.
Intense Pain
If you can clearly tell your pet is in pain, this is a clear sign that something serious is going on with their health and vet care is needed. However, in some situations knowing your pet’s in pain is difficult. If your pet is showing signs of any of the behaviors below they might be in pain:
- Isolating themselves and avoiding play
- Changes in behavior and acting aggressively
- Excessive howling, barking and other distress sounds
- Appearing restless or agitated
- Showing signs of excessive grooming, particularly licking their paws
Pain can be an indicator of a variety of issues including illness or an injury. In some cases, it could be a sign of a more serious disease like cancer. If you notice your pet experiencing pain for a prolonged period of time and you’re unsure of the cause, seek vet care as soon as possible.
Poison Accident
A lot of things that are safe for humans are very unsafe for pets. Besides eating something poisonous like chocolate or garlic, poisons are also absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Some common symptoms of pet poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing up blood
- Weakness or fatigue
Some forms of poison can cause serious damage including kidney or liver failure and can sometimes be fatal. Therefore, seek immediate vet care if you know your pet’s been poisoned.
Serious Allergic Reactions
Pets deal with allergies too. Your pet can be allergic to anything from an ingredient in their food to pollen and dust. Additionally, just like with humans, allergies range in severity. If your pet is having an allergic reaction you may notice them scratching or excessively licking their body parts. Additional signs include facial swelling and hives and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock warranting immediate vet care.
Heat Stroke
As the Florida heat increases, so do the chances of your pet experiencing heatstroke. Common signs of heatstroke include:
- Heavy panting
- Increased heart rate
- Bright red tongue
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Drooling or salivating
Heatstroke is a serious problem that causes organ damage and sometimes death. Therefore, after cooling your pet down the best you can by applying water to their fur and skin, take them to the vet immediately.
You always want to take care of your pet without causing them stress over an unnecessary vet visit. However, if your pet experiences any of the illnesses or symptoms above Regal Animal Hospital is here to help. Our first priority is to stabilize your pet’s condition and make them as comfortable as possible. We’ll perform diagnostic testing if necessary to further determine the issue. After that, we’ll provide your pet with a custom quality treatment plan to put them on the path to recovery. Contact us today if you have any further questions about pet emergencies.