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The best way to identify an emergen-
cy is to know what is normal for your
pet and to be prepared to recognize
an emergency. Animals compensate
very well which means by the time
your pet begins showing signs of
sickness, they may already be in an
advanced stage of disease.
Know What Is normal
Learn normal temperature, pulse
rate, breathing rate and patterns,
gum color and urination and defeca-
tion patterns. Learn how to take your
pet's temperature and how to check
pulse rate and breathing rate in your
pet. Speak with your pet's veterinar-
ian to learn how to monitor these vital
signs and find out what is average for
your pet.
Be Prepared
Some pets may lash out if they are
painful or scared. Observe your pet's
expressions, postures and vocaliza-
tions. Always approach slowly and
cautiously and speak in a soft sooth-
ing voice. Learn how to safely capture
and restrain your pet for safe trans-
port. Have local veterinary emergen-
cy hospitals and poison control phone
numbers easily accessible.
emergency Conditions
Birthing problems
·
Bleeding- prolonged or severe
·
Breathing difficulty
·
Burns
·
Changes in body temperature out-
·
side the normal range
Collapse or inability/reluctance to
·
move
Cuts or wounds that expose inter-
·
nal tissue
Depression severe, may be hid-
·
ing, unresponsive, refusing to eat
Diarrhea profuse, large amounts
·
of blood, black coloration
Electrocution
·
Enlarged painful abdomen
·
Inappetance especially in small
·
mammals (rabbits, ferrets) and
birds. Any exotic pet that is not eat-
ing and acting lethargic for more
than 4-6 hours should be seen by
a veterinarian.
Poisoning
·
Seizures
·
Shock- very high or low heart rate,
·
high or low body temperature,
blue/pale pink mucous mem-
branes, breathing problems, dull
Straining to urinate without pro-
·
ducing urine
Straining to defecate
·
Trauma hit by a car, falling from
·
heights, any animal bites, drowning
Unconsciousness
·
Vomiting/retching or gagging
·
profuse, or non-productive
If you notice any of these problems
or if you feel something just isn't right
with your pet, contact you veterinar-
ian or local emergency hospital im-
mediately.
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital is a
24-hour emergency, critical care and
specialty hospital with the following
locations:
RBVH (Tinton Falls): 732-747-3636
RBVH Cherry Hill: 856-429-4394
RBVH Hillsborough: 908-359-3161
RBVH Linwood: 609-926-5300
how to identify an emergency
ANimAl hospitAls