| For many of us, when our dogs are sick, it is often | | | | If your dog has been in an accident where you |
| quite difficult to know whether or not dogs illnesses | | | | suspect injured bones, first call your regular vet to see |
| warrant a trip to the emergency room for a dog illness | | | | if you can get an appointment quickly. If not, take your |
| diagnosis. | | | | dog to the emergency clinic. They will need to take |
| In an emergency, the first thing you should know is | | | | x-rays to determine whether or not bones have been |
| where to take your dog. Many veterinarians offer 24 | | | | quickly. |
| hour emergency service. Please make sure to ask | | | | Hard To Breathe |
| your vet if this is a service offered by their office. If | | | | If your dog is having breathing problems, take him to |
| your vet does not offer this service, know where your | | | | the closest emergency clinic immediately. There are |
| local veterinary emergency clinic is located. | | | | many reasons why your dog might be having |
| So how do you know if you are having an | | | | breathing problems and many of them are critical. |
| emergency? Most veterinarians will tell you that if the | | | | Auto Accidents |
| owner feels the dogs illnesses are urgent to please call | | | | If your dog is hit by a automobile, it is important to take |
| the nearest emergency clinic and speak to a | | | | him to the closest emergency office immediately. Even |
| veterinary staff member. They will evaluate the | | | | if he is acting normal, he may have internal injuries that |
| situation and in most cases, have you bring your dog in | | | | need to be taken care of urgently. Wrap your dog in a |
| to be examined. The following are some common | | | | blanket to help prevent shock, and keep away from |
| emergency situations and ideas for how to handle | | | | his mouth, as many dogs that are in distress will bite |
| them. | | | | (even if they never have before). |
| Symptoms of Pain in the Abdomin | | | | Continuous Convulsions |
| If your dog is showing symptoms of abdominal pain, | | | | If your dog has a minor seizure or two, it is a serious |
| such as tenderness to the touch, standing with his | | | | problem and you should call your veterinarian at once. |
| back arched, or refusing food, you should take him to | | | | However, if your dog has a series of seizures that last |
| the closest emergency clinic immediately for a dog | | | | for more than a few minutes, you should place a |
| illness diagnosis. Other signs of abdominal pain can | | | | blanket over your dog, keep away from his mouth and |
| include vomiting, crying, shaking and difficulty breathing. | | | | get him to the nearest emergency clinic immediately. |
| These may be signs of Gastric Torsion. This state can | | | | There are several reasons why your dog could be |
| come on suddenly and in most cases affects large, | | | | having convulsions, including epilepsy, metabolic |
| deep chested dogs, but any dog can be affected. This | | | | problems, brain tumors, and poisoning. Fits of seizures |
| condition must be treated as soon as possible. There | | | | are considered to be life threatening in many cases. |
| are other conditions associated with abdominal pain | | | | For any dogs illnesses, if the you feel that your dog |
| such as constipation, kidney or liver disease, or even a | | | | should be seen by a veterinarian, call his office to see |
| common stomach ache, but it is imperative to have | | | | how soon you can get in for a dog illness diagnosis. |
| tests done to rule out any other serious problems. | | | | Many veterinarians have assistants available to assess |
| Bleeding Wounds | | | | the dogs health problem situation and answer |
| If your dog gets a cut, you should apply direct pressure | | | | questions to help you determine the seriousness of |
| with a clean dry bandage to the gash. The bleeding | | | | your dogs condition. If your regular veterinarian is not |
| should stop within ten minutes, after which time, you | | | | available, or if you feel that it is an emergency, the best |
| should make an appointment to see your vet as soon | | | | thing to do, if at all possible, is to call the emergency |
| as possible. The vet can only give your dog stitches | | | | office, tell them what is going on, and that you are on |
| within a small period of time. However, if the bleeding | | | | the way. This helps the staff prepare for your situation |
| does not cease within twenty minutes or the bleeding | | | | in advance so the veterinary team is ready to work |
| is from the chest, you should take your dog to the | | | | on your dog when you get there. If you have further |
| emergency clinic immediately. | | | | questions on what kinds of symptoms are emergency |
| Broken Bones Need X-Rays | | | | situations, please ask your veterinarian. |