When to Call An Emergency Vet in Crown Point, IN

Sometimes, it may be necessary to get in touch with an emergency vet in Crown Point. As a walk-in animal hospital, we see pet emergencies all the time. Although this is a situation that pet owners don’t ever want to consider, it’s always important to know how to respond if your pet encounters any kind of an emergency.

 

In this article, we’ll explain some of the most common reasons to call an emergency vet. Although there may be other situations that require emergency vet care, these are the most likely ones you may encounter during your time as a pet owner. Keep this information in mind to help you choose when to call an emergency vet.

Visible Trauma or Injury

If your pet has been injured in a way that is visible—such as being struck by a car or attacked by another animal—this will require a trip to the emergency vet right away. Be on the lookout for broken bones, open wounds, or any other signs of this type of injury or trauma to your pet.

Keep in mind that some injuries may be internal, so watch for signs that your pet may be in pain from something you can’t see as well.

Anaphylaxis

If your pet is bitten by a venomous snake or stung by an insect they are allergic to, they may develop an anaphylactic reaction. This does not happen with every snake or insect bite or sting, but it is a possibility.

Look for signs of allergic reaction including swelling at the bite location, swelling in the face and snout, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. If you notice any of these, take your pet to the emergency vet before the situation gets worse.

Difficulty Breathing

Pets may have difficulty breathing for a wide variety of underlying reasons. If your pet is struggling to breathe or is not breathing much at all, call an emergency vet right away. Check your pet’s gums and tongue; if they have turned bright red, blue, or black, this means she is not getting enough oxygen.

This problem could arise due to inhalation of a foreign object, tumors or blockages in the nasal passage or throat, allergic reactions, injury, illness, and more. Whatever the cause might be, your pet will need to be treated by an emergency vet for best results.

Heatstroke or Frostbite

Heatstroke is very dangerous and can occur quickly when pets are left outdoors in very high temperatures. Excessive drooling is one of the first signs, but pets can quickly go downhill from there. Pets may have trouble breathing or may become unresponsive if the condition is left without immediate treatment and care.

Frostbite can occur when pets are left outside in extreme cold temperatures for too long. The exposure to cold causes the tissue of the pet’s skin to die off quickly, which eventually causes exposed skin to turn blue or black. This condition requires immediate vet treatment.

Worsening of Known Condition

If your pet has a known health condition, such as cancer, you should always be on the lookout for signs of it worsening. If you notice any health changes that come on suddenly and seem to be related to your pet’s known condition, take them  to the emergency vet immediately.

Keep in mind that you will need to follow up with your pet’s regular vet if you have taken them to an emergency vet for a known condition. Since your regular vet will be helping manage and monitor the condition, it’s important to keep them in the loop with any changes.

Excessive Vomiting or Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a wide range of different problems. Sometimes these issues may be as simple as something your pet has eaten, but sometimes, they can be related to heart conditions, liver or kidney failure, stomach cancer, and other problems.

If your pet vomits or has diarrhea more than a couple of times, or if either of these is uncontrollable, you will need to take her to the emergency vet. Pets can become dehydrated very quickly, which requires immediate treatment with IV fluids to prevent long-term damage or even death. The vet may also be able to find the cause of these symptoms.

Although you never want to consider the possibility of needing an emergency vet for your pet, there is always a chance you will. For this reason, you should take the time to find a good quality emergency vet in Crown Point before you need to use their services. This way, if something does occur with your pet, you’ll know who to get in touch with and you won’t have to spend time scrambling to find a phone number in the middle of a crisis.

With the information listed above, you can determine when it’s time to call an emergency vet and you can learn to respond quickly to pet emergencies. Coyne Veterinary Center offers emergency vet care with extended hours to accommodate our clients. If your pet is ever in need of immediate care, bring them to us right away.