When to Take Your Pet to the Emergency Vet in Highland, IN

Is your pet dealing with an emergency? Or are you just trying to learn more about what constitutes an emergency in most pets? If either of these is true, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons to take a pet to the emergency vet in Highland so you can be better prepared if anything unfortunate should happen with your furry friend.

6 Reasons to Go to the Emergency Vet in Highland, IN

Remember that all pets are different and each situation is unique, so in the end, it is up to you to choose whether or not to contact an emergency vet for your pet.

Below are six common reasons to take your pet to the emergency vet in Highland:

Breathing Trouble

Pets who have trouble breathing will need vet care right away. Since breathing problems can quickly worsen depending on the cause of the problem, you will need to contact an emergency veterinarian to help determine the source of the trouble and treat your pet as needed.

Some breathing troubles may occur as part of known health problems. However, if your pet’s breathing suddenly becomes worse than is usual for him, or if you notice him having trouble breathing along with other, new symptoms, this is also an important time to take him to the emergency vet.

Acute Trauma

Pets who suffer an acute trauma, such as sudden injury, need to be seen by a vet immediately. Emergency veterinarians can help find the source of the problem and treat your pet right away so he doesn’t suffer lasting damage from the injury.

When contacting your emergency vet in Highland regarding acute trauma, be sure to let them know everything you can about the issue. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for the vet to prepare and to treat your pet accordingly. If you don’t know what happened, this is okay, but try to be as informative as possible regardless.

Unresponsiveness

Pets who become unresponsive need to see an emergency vet right away. Unresponsiveness is a serious sign that something is very wrong, and it is often accompanied by one or more of the other problems on this list as well. If you find that your pet is unresponsive or has passed out, don’t wait for more symptoms—call the emergency vet right away.

Be careful when moving an unresponsive pet, as the pet may wake up while he is moved and be aggressive due to his pain and confusion. If possible, have help from another capable adult when moving an unresponsive pet.

Seizures

Pets who have known seizures and conditions related to them, such as epilepsy, may not need to go to the emergency vet if they have a seizure. If you’re already aware of the reason your pet has seizures and you’re doing what your vet thinks is best to manage them, you should simply monitor your pet during his seizures.

However, if your pet has a seizure that lasts longer than a couple of minutes or has multiple seizures back to back, you should take him to an emergency veterinarian in Highland right away. You should also take your pet to the emergency vet if this is the first time he has ever had a seizure.

Known Ingestion of Non-Food or Toxic Items

If your pet has swallowed something that is not food, or if he has ingested something toxic, take him to the emergency vet immediately. Don’t wait for him to show signs of poisoning or blockage, as this may be too late for him to be treated in some severe instances.

Pets who swallow non-food items such as pieces of toys or bedding may be at risk for gastrointestinal blockages that can be deadly if left untreated. Pets who ingest chemicals or toxic substances are at risk for poisoning. Both situations require immediate vet care.

Anaphylactic Shock

If your pet has been bitten or stung by a snake or insect, he may begin to swell immediately. If he only swells around the location of the bite or sting and everything else seems normal, this isn’t an emergency and you can treat the problem at home.

However, if your pet begins to swell in the face, nose, or throat, or if he has seizures, becomes unresponsive, has trouble breathing, or runs a fever, he needs to go to the emergency vet immediately. These symptoms are all signs of anaphylactic shock or could quickly progress to anaphylaxis if left untreated.

See an Emergency Vet in Highland, IN Immediately for Any Pet Emergency

Now that you know some of the most common reasons to take a pet to the emergency vet in Highland, you can determine whether or not your pet’s situation constitutes an emergency. In the end, however, the choice is entirely up to you, and even if your pet’s problem isn’t listed here, you should still go with your instincts when it comes to his health care.

If you don’t already have an emergency vet in your area, be sure to look one up as soon as possible so you don’t have to scramble to find one if something goes wrong.

At Emergency Veterinary Care Centers, our veterinarians are available 24 hours so your pet never has to wait to get the care they need. We provide a variety of emergency veterinary services and are equipped to handle any pet emergency that’s brought to us at our Highland and Westville locations. It’s important to note that, while the situations listed above are common emergencies that can occur with pets, this is not a complete list. If your pet experiences any of the situations listed above, or if you’re still unsure what’s considered a pet emergency, call or bring your pet to us right away so we can provide the necessary treatment your pet needs.