5 Emergency Signs Your Pet Needs to Visit Hospital

Our pets can’t talk to or tell us what’s wrong or when they don’t feel well. Here, a veterinarian shares 5 signs that show your pet needs immediate medical attention. Here’s what to look for.

1.    Straining to Urinate or Defecate

Either symptom can indicate the presence of a tumor or neurological issues. A bladder stone can block urine from leaving the body and cause buildup. The excess pressure may result in kidney failure or potential kidney disease.

2.    Unconsciousness, Sudden Collapse, Seizures

These symptoms can indicate problems like anemia, infectious disease, lung issues, or internal bleeding. Fainting is usually due to a heart issue; the animal isn’t getting enough oxygen to their brain.

3.    Weakness, Inability to Stand, Dragging Hind Legs

These symptoms may reflect a problem with the brain, spine, heart, or lungs. If a cat drags a leg, it’s often because they have thrown a clot into the arteries that supply blood to the hind limbs. That condition needs to be treated immediately or the animal may permanently lose the function of his hind limbs.

4.    Lack of Appetite, Repeated Vomiting, Unproductive Retching

Our experienced professionals at Northgate Animal Hospital say these symptoms are often seen together. If you notice blood in the vomit or stool, time is critical. Your pet may have ingested a toxin, contracted an infectious disease, or developed dysfunction in his organs.

Retching can be a sign of bloat – when your pet’s stomach fills with gas and twists upon itself, possibly obstructing blood flow. If it’s a single sign that lasts more than 24 hours, that’s an emergency. Or if you see these signs together – even just one or two episodes – your pet needs to be examined.

1.    Difficulty or Labored Breathing, Choking, or Nonstop Coughing

Breathing issues can be a sign of underlying heart disease. Choking indicates something is caught in a pet’s trachea that prevents them from breathing. Coughing may indicate a collapsing trachea or an infectious disease called tracheobronchitis. If your pet coughs blood, pick up the phone immediately and call Northgate Animal Hospital for help in Regina.

2.    Squinting, Swollen Eye, Bleeding Eye, Nose, or Mouth

A bleeding eye can indicate any number of underlying diseases or conditions – such as when an animal’s blood doesn’t clot normally. Additionally, sometimes trauma causes an eye to pop out of its socket.

3.    Swollen Limbs or Limping

These symptoms may mean a dog or cat is experiencing muscle trauma, a broken bone, or Lyme disease. Overall swelling or hives might indicate an allergic reaction that could lead to anaphylactic shock. If a pet limps for more than a day, it’s time to call your veterinarian. If your dog isn’t putting any weight on the leg at all, it’s an emergency.

4.    Whining, Shaking, or Relentless Without a Reason

Some cats and dogs show signs of stress during fireworks displays or thunderstorms. But when they act anxious seemingly out of the blue without other visible symptoms, they’re most likely in pain. If they’re just not themselves, that’s definitely a cause for concern.

5.    Excessive Panting

Dogs pant because they can’t sweat like humans do. So, pooches are prone to heat stroke in hot weather, which can quickly turn deadly as their body temperature rises and their organs shut down. That’s why leaving a dog or cat in a hot car or leaving them outside on a hot day without a way to escape the heat poses a huge risk.

What’s The Action Step If You Notice These Signs

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your nearest pet hospital like Northgate Animal Hospital in Regina. Once at the hospital, our veterinary team will conduct a thorough physical exam and run tests to determine the cause of your pet’s symptoms.