Emergencies and what to do
TRAUMA - For bleeding, fractures, bite wounds or trouble breathing; call us and keep your pet as still and calm as possible on the way. When you call our office, please tell the receptionist what your pet is experiencing and we will have you seen right away.
HEAT STROKE - Do not force play or jog with your dog in the middle of the day during the hot and humid months, and provide him with plenty of breaks and water if he has to work. And never leave an animal unattended in a car. If you have a heat stroked dog or cat, immediately wet the animal in a tub or with a hose thoroughly, then call us as you proceed to our hospital.
POISONING - Depending on the poisoning there will be different instructions, so please call our office for instructions. One thing to have on hand is Hydrogen Peroxide. We may have you use it to induce vomiting, especially if your pet just swallowed a non-corrosive poison such as rat bait, antifreeze, or prescription medications, grapes and raisins, xylitol, marijuana and chocolate.
DIFFICULT BIRTH - For dogs and cats, early labor can last several hours, but once your pet is in hard labor (straining hard), produces a "water bag", or you see any part of a puppy or kitten, you would expect the young to be delivered within 15 minutes. A resting period of up to 2 hours between young is normal, as long as the mother is calm and comfortable. In horses, birth normally takes place very quickly once any part of a foal is visible. Any birth where the mare is down and pushing hard for over 20 minutes, indicates the need for veterinary assistance.
EYES - Eyes are always treated as emergencies due to the fact that loosing one is a handicap to any pet, especially a horse.
VOMITING AND DIARRHEA - There could be many reasons why your pet is vomiting and having diarrhea such as a foreign body, parvovirus, bloody vomiting and diarrhea (hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis). Most small or depressed pets should be seen quickly whereas happy and active larger pets may improve with treatment at home. Your pet may respond to a stomach protectant such as Pepto Bismol and withholding food and water for 12-24hrs in an otherwise alert pet, but some of these cases require fluids and hospitalization in pets who become depressed.
URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS: If your pet seems sick and is not producing urine, he or she may be obstructed. Failure to treat a urinary obstruction will be fatal.
COLIC or "My horse is rolling, doc!" - Common causes include: medical colic, which can normally be treated with pain medications, mineral oil, and possibly fluids. These would include gas, changes in feed, sour or moldy feed, changing from a lesser pasture to a rich clover or rye pasture, parasites and improper cooling after exercise. The other type is a surgical colic, which requires emergency surgery to correct problems such as twists, displacements, foreign objects, masses, and hernias; all of which cause obstructions and loss of blood supply to the affected area.
If you suspect Colic, begin by getting your horse up and walking, which will hopefully prevent a twist from occurring if it is rolling. Sometimes walking or trailering is enough to treat a simple gas colic, but if your horse doesn't respond promptly, get with your veterinarian.
HEAT STROKE - Do not force play or jog with your dog in the middle of the day during the hot and humid months, and provide him with plenty of breaks and water if he has to work. And never leave an animal unattended in a car. If you have a heat stroked dog or cat, immediately wet the animal in a tub or with a hose thoroughly, then call us as you proceed to our hospital.
POISONING - Depending on the poisoning there will be different instructions, so please call our office for instructions. One thing to have on hand is Hydrogen Peroxide. We may have you use it to induce vomiting, especially if your pet just swallowed a non-corrosive poison such as rat bait, antifreeze, or prescription medications, grapes and raisins, xylitol, marijuana and chocolate.
DIFFICULT BIRTH - For dogs and cats, early labor can last several hours, but once your pet is in hard labor (straining hard), produces a "water bag", or you see any part of a puppy or kitten, you would expect the young to be delivered within 15 minutes. A resting period of up to 2 hours between young is normal, as long as the mother is calm and comfortable. In horses, birth normally takes place very quickly once any part of a foal is visible. Any birth where the mare is down and pushing hard for over 20 minutes, indicates the need for veterinary assistance.
EYES - Eyes are always treated as emergencies due to the fact that loosing one is a handicap to any pet, especially a horse.
VOMITING AND DIARRHEA - There could be many reasons why your pet is vomiting and having diarrhea such as a foreign body, parvovirus, bloody vomiting and diarrhea (hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis). Most small or depressed pets should be seen quickly whereas happy and active larger pets may improve with treatment at home. Your pet may respond to a stomach protectant such as Pepto Bismol and withholding food and water for 12-24hrs in an otherwise alert pet, but some of these cases require fluids and hospitalization in pets who become depressed.
URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS: If your pet seems sick and is not producing urine, he or she may be obstructed. Failure to treat a urinary obstruction will be fatal.
COLIC or "My horse is rolling, doc!" - Common causes include: medical colic, which can normally be treated with pain medications, mineral oil, and possibly fluids. These would include gas, changes in feed, sour or moldy feed, changing from a lesser pasture to a rich clover or rye pasture, parasites and improper cooling after exercise. The other type is a surgical colic, which requires emergency surgery to correct problems such as twists, displacements, foreign objects, masses, and hernias; all of which cause obstructions and loss of blood supply to the affected area.
If you suspect Colic, begin by getting your horse up and walking, which will hopefully prevent a twist from occurring if it is rolling. Sometimes walking or trailering is enough to treat a simple gas colic, but if your horse doesn't respond promptly, get with your veterinarian.