What are some common dog emergencies?
There are numerous dog emergencies that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Hemoabdomen, or internal bleeding into the abdominal cavity, is one of the most common emergencies we deal with on a daily basis.
What are some signs of hemoabdomen that owners should look out for?
A couple of things to look for at home include your dog pacing around due to changes in their blood pressure, or being very lethargic and staying in cold places, essentially just laying down on the ground. You might see the abdomen acutely getting bigger. You can also check the gums; they will be pale, almost like a white wall. The dog can experience tachypnea, or very rapid breathing.
What other symptoms might indicate a dog emergency?
One common symptom is vomiting, diarrhea, and hematochezia, or a lot of blood in the stool. Many dogs will experience these clinical symptoms due to ingesting a foreign body or experiencing anaphylactic shock, as inflammatory mediators released in these situations can affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and even collapse.
What are some common causes of vomiting in dogs?
Many dogs do not know that they are not supposed to eat items like socks or underwear, which is why they often experience vomiting.
Can any treatments be administered at home?
We usually recommend having something like Benadryl on hand. However, many emergencies cannot be addressed at home. It's better to bring them to qualified professionals.
Why is it important to bring dogs in for emergencies quickly?
We deal with many life-threatening emergencies, and the sooner they are addressed, the better the outcome for your pet. In other words, the faster you bring them to us, the faster we can diagnose and start treating them, leading to the best outcome and survival rate.
What does CPR on a dog involve?
CPR on a dog is a very involved process, usually requiring at least five to seven people. It includes the placement of an intravenous catheter, intubation of the pet, and chest compressions, similar to human procedures. After the emergency protocol is implemented, we use emergency drugs like Atropine, Epinephrine, and Dopamines.
What should a pet owner do on their way to your clinic during an emergency?
You can do both. Our advice is to bring your dog to us and, while on your way here, give us a call so our emergency team can prepare to take your dog right away into the back and start emergency protocols.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (703) 273-2110, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram