After an emergency veterinarian finishes extra years of specialty residency training, they take a board-certification examination given by the ACVECC. The veterinarian is then a Diplomate of the ACVECC and is board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care.
If you were making bread from scratch and later notice your dog disoriented and displaying a lack of coordination, the problem could be alcohol intoxication from the yeast in the dough. It’s best if your dog is monitored by a veterinarian until he or she recovers completely.
If your pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between delivering puppies or kittens, the American Animal Hospital Association defines it as an emergency, and you should consult your emergency veterinarian hospital.
If your pet has been in a fight, it’s critical that you carefully check it over for any signs of bite wounds, and, if you find any, bring your pet in to the vet. Wounds that penetrate the skin are contaminated and can become infected within several hours.
Knowing a great emergency vet is a huge help when things go sideways. If you know where you would go in the event of a late night car accident for your pet, you will be so much more comfortable in handling the situation.
If you notice that your pet is having difficulty urinating or has blood in its urine, then see your veterinarian as soon as possible. This may indicate a urinary infection or urinary stones that can escalate into a blockage if not treated.
If an animal has lost a significant amount of blood, then a transfusion from another dog may be required. Many emergency veterinarians will keep a blood bank, meaning that stored blood from a donor is on hand. A blood transfusion is a potentially life-saving procedure.
If your cat is showing the signs of a serious illness, you may want to avoid putting it under any more stress. In some instances, you may be able to hold your cat while someone else drives you both to us.
If you discover an infected wound or abscess on your pet, consider this an emergency, and get it into the vet as soon as possible. There is a large risk that the infection may potentially spread, causing toxicity and posing a danger to your pet's health.
If you are not quite sure if your pet has a medical emergency, call us and describe the symptoms or conditions. After we get your information we will let you know if you should come on in or monitor the situation for a day or two to see if it improves.
While kittens depend on their mother’s milk for their first few weeks of life, adult cats can become ill if they are fed large amounts of milk. It's preferred to feed cats water, but if you decide to give them milk as a treat, just be sure to do so in smaller doses.
Has your cat suffered a trauma? Cats have the ability to stoically mask many symptoms of distress. But do not underestimate an injury because while the cat may look OK on the outside, potential internal issues could exist.
When it is time to pick up your pet, you will meet with the veterinarian in charge of its care. The doctor will review the nature of the problem, explain the at-home care you need to provide, and go over any medications you need to administer. This information will be delivered to your regular veterinarian as well.
There are many conditions that can cause loss of balance in dogs. This includes poisoning, ingestion of alcohol, diabetes, or a brain disorder (common in senior dogs).
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), established in 1933, is the only accredited body of small animal hospitals in the U.S. Membership is not compulsory, but any emergency veterinary hospital who wants to join AAHA must pass an evaluation on more than 900 standards of quality.
If your pet is bleeding, before you get it to the emergency clinic, first apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. It’s important that you don’t remove the cloth to check for stoppage; rather, if it bleeds through, then place more padding on top of the original.
If you find a chewed up rat bait, or you notice a bag of fertilizer has been ripped open and you have a dog, call the ASPCA animal poison control at (888) 426-4435 for immediate advice on what to do. A veterinary toxicologist may advise you to induce vomiting.
Did you know that there are many types of houseplants that are poisonous to your dog? This includes chrysanthemums, peace lilies, pothos vines, Virginia creeper, and foxglove.
Dogs can be very territorial, protective animals, especially when approached by another dog. Unfortunately, this need to protect their space from other animals can lead to very serious injuries.
It’s not unusual for some dogs to chew on virtually anything, making poisoning a serious risk. Before heading to the emergency vet, identify the poison and bring a sample of it with you. That can be extremely helpful because the vet must identify the poison before determining the proper treatment.
The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society is an organization that was set up to provide pet owners resources and tools to find the nearest care facility for your pet.
Some household plants can pose a dire threat to your cat if ingested. Serious reactions include staggering, vomit, abdominal pain, tremors, and heart and respiratory symptoms. These all demand a call to the emergency veterinarian hospital as soon as possible.
Have you ever heard of gastric dilatation? Basically, this is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs after a dog has a large meal and his stomach becomes filled with food and gas. If you suspect this condition, head to the emergency vet immediately.
Are dogs or cats the most popular pet in the U.S? Here’s a feline look at the statistics: There are nearly 86 million pet cats in the country, according to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association. That’s compared to about 78 million dogs – a clear win for cats.
Modern emergency veterinary hospitals rival traditional ERs in their capacity. With expert ER vets and state-of-the-art scanning and treatment technologies, emergency hospitals are prepared to handle almost every type of injury or illness your pet may experience.
You may not think that a 78-degree day is overly warm, but inside a closed vehicle exposed to the sun, the temperatures can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, according to PETA.
Getting your pet the health care they need in an emergency isn’t always an easy thing to do. A great emergency vet can help, though. They have all of the equipment and services you may need to get to the bottom of the situation.