When to Visit the Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Dartmouth

Emergency Vet Visits in DartmouthPreventive veterinary check-ups and ongoing care are important to the health and longevity of your pet. However, there are certain situations which require the services of a Dartmouth emergency vet. While a car accident, fight with another animal, or a fall can be obvious signs that a trip to the animal hospital in Dartmouth is necessary, other situations might not be so clear. Pets are known to hide symptoms; it is a part of their natural pack survival instinct. Unfortunately, that can make it harder to know when they require a visit to the emergency veterinary hospital or not.

Rather than keep your pet from getting the care that he or she requires, it is always better to err on the side of caution. However, if you are a new pet owner or if you are facing something that you are not familiar with, it can be helpful to have a simple guideline. This article should serve as basic information, but not professional advice. Each pet, situation, and illness or condition is different, so it is best to consult with a trained and certified veterinarian for the final answer on whether or not your pet requires treatment.

Signs & Symptoms That Require Emergency Care

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are thirteen different symptoms that would warrant a trip to a Dartmouth emergency vet. As pet owners, it is a good idea to get the contact information for a trusted emergency veterinary hospital, along with directions and hours to have handy in case of an emergency situation. Many pet owners keep this information in a Pet First Aid Kit so they won’t have to hunt around for it or waste precious time looking for it on their smartphone or computer.

The symptoms that the AVMA says to be aware of include:

  • difficult breathing, choking, or non-stop gagging and coughing
  • bleeding – from the nose, mouth, or rectum, as well as coughing up blood or blood in your pet’s urine
  • severe bleeding from an injury that won’t stop within five minutes
  • any injury to your pet’s eyes
  • suspicions that your pet has consumed something toxic or poisonous
  • staggering or seizures
  • inability to urinate or pass stool, as well as any pain associated with either
  • inability to move legs, severe lameness, or obviously fractured bones
  • signs of extreme anxiety or pain
  • heatstroke or heat stress
  • severe diarrhea or vomiting, which constitutes more than two episodes within a 24-hour period
  • refusal to drink water for more than 24-hours
  • unconsciousness

Other Situations to Be Aware of With Pets

In addition to the thirteen signs that pet owners should be aware of and bring their pet to the emergency veterinary hospital if they see, there are a few more. In fact, our website for Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth has a large list of symptoms, signs, and a full FAQ (frequently asked questions) page that you can look at for even more information. Ultimately, if your pet is behaving in any way that seems suspect, make sure to bring them into the local Dartmouth emergency vet as soon as possible to get seen.

Some of the other symptoms that should warrant a visit to the vet include:

  • collapsing or fainting
  • any trauma, such as being hit by a car, including head trauma
  • any wounds, such as from a dog fight
  • difficulty walking or hunching
  • trying to vomit, but not producing vomit
  • prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold
  • fever
  • abdomen that is painful or swollen
  • any pain or problem that you feel needs to be seen right away or that can’t wait for an available appointment time and date

You know your pet better than anyone else. Even if none of the above symptoms presents itself and you just feel like something is “off” with your pet, go ahead and call your trusted veterinarian. Sometimes it’s the unseen things that require the most care. A dog that is snapping at people in an unusual manner could require a dental exam and advanced dentistry in Dartmouth. A cat that starts hiding after being friendly for most of its life could be trying to hide pain or an unseen illness. Use your instinct. If you feel that your pet requires a trip to the emergency veterinary hospital, call Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth at 508-996-3731 and speak with one of our veterinary team members about your pet. Or, if one of the serious symptoms above is present, bring your pet in right away without delay.