Is This an Emergency? – Memphis Pet Health

Posted 11.13.13 by Kim Swift

Doesn’t it seem like Felix decides the best time to get into the trash is after the vet office is closed?

Oftentimes, as a pet owner, it is very hard to know whether or not what has just happened is a true medical emergency. Just like in people, some conditions or illnesses can wait until the morning, while others are true emergencies that need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Below are a few tips that may help you decide whether or not to bring your pet in to see a veterinarian on an emergency basis:

• Profuse vomiting and/or diarrhea that cannot be controlled
•  Ingestion of something that may be toxic:

chocolate, avocado, grapes or raisins, onions, mistletoe, lilies, rat poison, human medications (especially ibuprofen, Aleve, Tylenol, etc), gum with xylitol in it, mushrooms

•  Collapsing episodes, seizures, or difficulty breathing
•  Constant coughing accompanied by restlessness
• A large and painful abdomen
• Pale gums:

to assess gently lift the lip up and look at the color of the gums above their teeth. It should be a nice pink color just like our gums. If it appears blue or very pale (white) or yellow please bring them in. This can be a sign of extreme anemia or internal bleeding.

• Hit by car or other severe concussive trauma
• Any significant amounts of bleeding
• yellow color to gums, inside of ears or on abdomen
• Abnormal vaginal discharge especially in intact females, straining to urinate or squatting to urinate without producing anything
• Hiding or acting very unusual or clingy, especially if it is a cat

Here at The Pet Hospitals we are working to provide more extended hours for these types of emergencies.

Our Collierville location is now open 7 days a week.

Please give us a call and let us know how we can help you today!

Collierville Weekend Hours:

Saturdays

• 8am-12pm: Regular Appointments

Saturdays

• 12pm-6pm: Emergency Hours

Sundays

• 9am-4pm: Emergency Hours

Visit any of our locations for the best in veterinary care, provided by highly skilled professionals who love what we do!