Introduction
As an ER vet for over 20 years, I have seen dog guardians wait too long to get their dogs seen by a veterinarian. Sometimes, it is because they wait until their vet opens or until they can get an appointment. There are scenarios where it is O.K. to wait, and some when it is not. I want you to know the difference. Let’s get to it.
10 Symptoms To Take Seriously
- Difficulty Breathing: Rapid, shallow, or labored breathing, along with coughing and choking, can be signs of serious respiratory distress. A wet sound to the breathing or coughing up fluid are also serious symptoms. A purple or blue tinge to the gums or tongue indicates lack of oxygenation.
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea: If your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea repeatedly within a short period, he or she could be at risk of severe dehydration and a serious underlying medical issue may be the culprit. If either contains blood, then it is an emergency. If your dog repeatedly vomits after eating or drinking, it could indicate an intestinal obstruction. If your dog has diarrhea that continues for more than 48 hours, progresses or additional symptoms develop then it warrants a vet visit.
- Sudden Weakness or Collapse: Sudden weakness, collapse, or inability to stand or walk can indicate a variety of serious conditions, including heart problems or internal bleeding. Pale gums or tongue may indicate internal bleeding.
- Bloody Urine: Blood in urine may be a simple urinary tract infection; however, it could mean something worse, such as blood clotting issues, low platelets, etc. It’s better to get it checked right away.
- Seizures: Seizures that last longer than a few minutes or occur in clusters can be indicative of a severe neurological issue and can lead to death if not treated. This is one where I see too many owners wait too long.
- Uncontrolled Bleeding: If your dog is bleeding profusely from a wound or body orifice, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary care to control the bleeding and address the underlying cause.
- Ingestion of Toxic Substances: If you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, like chocolate, certain plants, your medication, or household chemicals, don’t wait for symptoms to appear—seek help immediately. Call the ASPCA poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435 while on your way to the ER. Inducing vomiting may be necessary and could prevent serious illness. I recommend having your vet induce the vomiting rather than trying it at home on your own.
- Swollen Abdomen: A distended or bloated abdomen, could be indicative of several serious conditions such as gastric torsion (bloat), ascites (free fluid in the abdomen), an abdominal mass, internal bleeding or an enlarged organ. If it is accompanied by restlessness and unsuccessful attempts to vomit, it could indicate the life-threatening condition called gastric torsion (bloat) which requires immediate critical care.
- Extreme Pain: Obvious signs of pain, such as whining, restlessness, crying out, or guarding a specific body part, may indicate injury, trauma, or a severe medical issue. The most common reason for acute, severe pain in dogs is neck or back pain secondary to a bulging disc. It is critical to have this addressed before neurological symptoms occur.
- Eye Injuries: Obvious eye injuries, sudden blindness, excessive blinking, ocular discharge, eye discoloration, etc. warrant prompt attention to prevent further damage to your dog’s vision.
Find an animal ER in your area that you trust and keep their number easily accessible. You don’t want to be scrambling to find an animal ER when your dog is in trouble. It’s always better to be over-cautious when it comes to your dog’s health rather than waiting too long to seek treatment. If you’re ever unsure whether your dog’s symptoms warrant a trip to the emergency vet, then contact a veterinary professional for guidance.
Listen to your gut… You know your dog better than anyone else, so if you feel something serious is going on, then follow your instincts and get him checked out. Don’t take the chance of waiting too long and having to live with regret.