Pet Emergencies

So what constitutes as an emergency?

Below are a few examples but this is by no means an exhaustive list. If in doubt call your vet and get their advice as to whether the problem can wait or does indeed require immediate veterinary attention.

• Breathing difficulties

     o Noisy respiration

     o Blue tongue

     o Gasping for breath

• Loss of consciousness

• Severe bleeding

• Bloated or distended abdomen

• Inability to urinate or move bowels

• Heatstroke

• Difficult or prolonged labour

• Seizure/ fitting lasting more than 5 minutes

• Acute Pain

• Road Traffic Accident or other major trauma, injury, or shock

• Ingestion of a poison

• Penetrating wound

• Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea with blood or violent episodes

• Paralysis of one or more limbs

• Snake Bites

• Burns

• Drowning /suffocation

Emergency out of hours veterinary treatment will be more expensive than normal veterinary care but don’t let this put you off as it could the difference between life and death for your pet.