When You Should Take Your Dog To The Emergency Vet
Taking care of your dog can sometimes be a confusing task. If they are ill or injured, it can be hard to tell when you should take them to the emergency veterinary clinic and when you should wait things out and see how things go. There are some instances, however, that require an ER veterinary clinic right away. Get to know more about some of the cases where you should take your dog straight to the emergency vet. Then, you can be sure you are providing the utmost care to your dog from now on.
They Are Vomiting Profusely
If your dog is vomiting over and over again in quick succession, vomiting regularly for days, or even vomiting several times in the same day, you should probably pay a visit to the ER veterinary clinic. Just like in humans, vomiting, especially when done a lot, can result in dehydration. This dehydration can become severe quite quickly.
You want to be sure you prevent severe dehydration in your dog. You also will want to figure out why they are vomiting. Sometimes, it is a stomach bug, but it can also be the result of ingesting something poisonous, an intestinal blockage, or another cause. The emergency vet will run tests and potentially even x-rays on your dog to determine the cause of their vomiting and then provide the appropriate treatment.
They Have Been Bitten By Another Dog
Another time in which you should take your dog to the ER veterinary clinic is if your dog has been bitten by another dog (or a cat, badger, raccoon, or other animal). Animal bites can be very problematic for dogs.
Dog and cat bites, for example, often result in deep puncture wounds. These wounds can easily become infected if not treated properly. Your emergency vet will examine and thoroughly clean the wounds. They will also then likely prescribe an antibiotic to prevent severe infection.
Some animal bites may also tear rather than puncture. Dogs that grab on when they bite and shake can do this. These types of bites may also require stitches.
Animal bites can also spread disease, so be sure to tell your emergency vet if your dog is behind on any vaccines. They will assess the situation and may even have to keep your dog in the clinic for a few days for observation (for example, if your dog is behind on the rabies vaccine).
Now that you know a few situations in which you should take your dog to the emergency vet, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to get your dog the emergency care they need now and in the future.
