Nothing can be scarier than not knowing when you need to take your dog in for emergency vet care. Knowing when to get your furry pal for an emergency check at the local vet is lifesaving. Fortunately, you've spent many hours socializing, walking, or bathing your dog, and you should catch those alarming signs that indicate serious trouble. This way, you'll solicit dog care services before the worst happens.
Ordinarily, dogs are playful, and they love to explore. But if they suddenly change temperament and become lethargic, you must question the reason for such drastic physical or emotional behavior. Even if you're not knowledgeable in dog health matters, you can't miss peculiar, out-of-the-normal tendencies that indicate your canine friend needs emergency dog care. Here are some signs to watch out for.
Vomiting Or Stool Change
Your dog's eating habits can lead to intermittent diarrhea and bouts of vomiting. Often these problems come and go without requiring a vet's appointment, but if you notice that your dog vomits after every meal and their stool has changed for the worse, they could be suffering from digestive system infections or food poisoning issues. In such a scenario, your dog is likely to lose weight and become susceptible to additional infections.
Poor Balance Or Difficulty Standing
If your bubbly dog stops playing and you notice issues with walking and standing, you should book an emergency appointment with your vet. A short-lived limp as a dog walks off a rough play session isn't much of a worry, but awkward movements or wobbly hind legs could signal psychomotor, nervous system, brain, or spine issues. You shouldn't medicate your pet without guidance, given the seriousness of the underlying complications. Your vet will assess the condition and recommend MRI, cardiac, and respiratory system tests to ascertain the best treatment method.
Bleeding
If your dog comes home and you see blood dripping through the hair coat, you need to consider immediate dog care intervention. Even if your dog is healthy, in order to verify the cause of the bleeding, you must not ignore an emergency visit to the vet. Signs of external bleeding could mean there's internal hemorrhage too. You can apply pressure on the cut on your way to the vet, and it's wise to call them to notify them about the situation. This enables the vet to prepare for the dog's emergency to prevent excessive blood loss.
Exposure To Toxins
Your furry pal may be exposed to toxins, pesticides, aflatoxin, or unpalatable foodstuffs in your home. If your dog accidentally ingests some poisonous substances, you can't afford to nurse or treat the issue at home. Even if they simply chewed on some garden plant, the results can be poor. Getting specialized dog care and treatment is the only guarantee that your pet will recover quickly from such an ordeal.
For more information on dog care, contact a veterinarian.