What is an Emergency?

If an animal is seriously ill or injured, it needs critical care immediately. Bring your pet in to see us if any of the following occur:

• Difficulty breathing... Noisy breathing, blue tongue or gums, abnormal panting, gasping for air, or very shallow breathing.
• Unstoppable bleeding... Before transporting apply pressure with a clean cloth. Do not use a tourniquet.
• Inability to urinate or defecate... Continuously straining with little or no result. Blood in stool or urine, painful urination or defecation.
• Heatstroke... Signs include but are not limited to: heavy panting, extreme weakness, a body temperature above 104F
• Bloated or distended abdomen... with or without vomiting.
• Loss of balance, unconsciousness, or seizure... Tremors, staggering, convulsions, sudden blindness, fainting, tilting of the head, unusual withdrawal or aggression.
• Pain... Especially continuous pain. Signs of pain in animals include but are not limited to whimpering, restlessness, crying, reluctance to move or change position, dilated pupils, a fast heart rate, and panting.
• Major trauma or injury... If your pet has fallen, been hit by a car, or has suffered wounds anywhere on the body, but especially to the eye, chest or abdomen, or has broken bones.
• Shock...Signs include but are not limited to weakness, collapse, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, or weak pulses.
• Poisoning... If you believe your pet has been exposed to a poison, call first, then bring the container with you if you have it, or the commercial name of or chemical name with the lists of ingredients. Some common poisonings: insecticides, snail bait, antifreeze, rat poison, over-the-counter drugs (Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.), prescription medications, snake bites and some plants.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea... Excessive, continuous, or contains blood.
• Lameness... Continuous, not bearing weight on limb, or swollen limb.
• Allergic reactions... Signs include but are not limited to swollen face, hives, red skin, difficulty breathing, severe itching or a rash
• Diabetics... Signs include but are not limited to shaking, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, excessive vomiting, seizures.
• General... Severe lethargy, anorexia, fever greater than 104F or anything that concerns you.