Taking your dog into the veterinarian can be a difficult decision sometimes. After all, it can be quite expensive, and there might not be anything wrong with your dog at all. However, if you fail to bring your pet to a professional in a timely manner, some injuries and diseases can even be fatal. Here is a list of signs that your dog needs to see an emergency vet immediately:
- Difficulty urinating: if your dog is having difficulties when trying to pee, or if you see any blood in their urine, you should probably consult a vet. These can indicate a blockage or stones in the urethra.
- Prolonged vomiting/diarrhea: if your dog does either of these for more than 24 hours, a chronic medical condition might be present. If the vomiting or diarrhea resolves itself within a day, you should watch their diet for the next several days. If any blood is present in the vomit or diarrhea, your dog needs to see a vet.
- Difficulty seeing: dogs are exceptionally prone to eye problems, so you should see a vet immediately if your dog has trouble seeing. Early detection of glaucomas can save the dog's eyesight, but permanent blindness can result if they go untreated.
- Difficulty breathing: there are a variety of factors that can contribute to difficulty breathing, including heart/lung disease, allergies, or a blockage in the throat. These are all causes for immediate concern and you should consult a vet immediately.
- Seizures: dogs can suffer from epilepsy, just like humans, which means that a diagnosed dog might have an occasional seizure. This is normal. However, if an epileptic dog has multiple seizures in a short period of time, or a non-epileptic dog has any seizures, you want to consult a vet.
- Consumption of toxins: if your dog consumes any known toxic substances, you should consume Animal Poison Control. Based on what your dog consumed, they will tell you whether you need to induce vomiting, rush your dog to a vet, or simply wait it out.
- Birthing: a long labor period (more than 5 hours) prior to birthing can indicate a serious problem. Like human labor, there are many complications that can arise when a dog is giving birth. Additionally, if your dog is straining for longer than half an hour, you should consult a vet
- Injuries: if your dog has recently been seriously injured, such as being hit by a car, you need to see a vet like those at After Hours Veterinary Emergency Clinic Inc. Even if nothing appears to be outwardly wrong, there might be internal bleeding, which can be fatal.