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It is no secret that the popularity of pets is on the rise. Whether it is caused by a generation denied furry friends by their over-busy parents or the increase in small breeds that fit nicely into apartments, pets are here to stay. Due to the unconditional love that exists between people and their dogs, cats, lizards, and whatever else is out there, animal medical care has increased in expense, technology, and scope. If you have ever had a pet get sick, you know how important it can be to reach a veterinarian quickly. Just like doctors for people, most veterinarians keep regular office hours, so knowing where to find emergency and after-hours vet care is something every responsible pet owner should do. If you live in the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area, get info here about where to find emergency pet care services.
Know When to Go
Just as with people, there are some symptoms that can wait until morning, but there are also symptoms that need to be checked out right away. If you have a dog, there are 10 red flags that mean it is time to take your dog in to see someone ASAP. The first of these situations is if your dog has sustained some type of trauma. Whether the trauma was a fall, getting hit by a car, getting into a fight with a bear (or other animal), or even getting stepped on by a trusted human, take him or her to the vet. The biggest risk with trauma isn’t what you can see, it is what you can’t see. Internal hemorrhaging is something only a vet can detect and it can kill your dog if it goes untreated.
Beware Breathing Problems
Not surprisingly, another major problem that needs immediate attention is breathing problems. Coughing, wheezing, and other strange noises coming from your dog could mean a number of things, all of which will require the skill of a professional to remedy. If you think that your dog has something in his or her throat that is causing the problem, make an immediate trip to the vet. While people are generally pretty good at getting stuff out of each other’s throats, they tend to make the problem worse when it comes to their dog. By messing with an object stuck in your dog’s throat, you may end up completely closing off the airway.
Symptoms of Neurological Problems
If your dog ever seems extremely lethargic, listless, or confused, these are signs of a neurological problem and should be considered an emergency condition. These are not problems that can wait until morning and they should be treated by a veterinary professional as soon as possible. Another sign of neurological problems is paralysis in one or more of your dog’s legs.
Be Patient with Vomiting
As any dog owner knows, vomiting is all too common. Dogs seem to vomit just about every day, usually because they ate something they shouldn’t have eaten. As long as what they ate isn’t potentially poisonous, there usually isn’t too much to worry about when your dog throws up. If you do suspect poison, call the ASPCA hotline to talk to a professional who can tell you what to do based on the poison the dog ingested. As long as your dog seems otherwise fine and the vomiting stops within 24 hours, there usually isn’t a dire need to get him or her to the vet. If you would like to know more about what conditions call for immediate vet care, get info here.
