As any pet parent knows, our furry friends are more than just animals -- they are beloved members of the family. When an emergency strikes, whether it’s an unexpected injury or a sudden illness, the need for immediate and expert care is crucial.
According to VEG ER For Pets, a veterinarian hospital that provides families with the highest level of emergency care in veterinary medicine, there are signs you should watch for to know when it’s time to make a trip to the emergency vet.
VEG provided six situations that would necessitate emergency treatment.
- Heatstroke. This can happen to any pet left in a vehicle, even on a day that doesn’t seem very hot. Heatstroke can also happen from rigorous exercise on a hot day. Some breeds might be more sensitive to heat than others. Pets can die quickly from heatstroke.
- Heart and respiratory failure: These both present when a pet struggles to breathe. Immediate intervention is needed, as without oxygen, organs can fail. Symptoms include coughing abdominal effort when breathing, and purple to blue gums.
- Allergic reaction. Insect or snake bites can cause anaphylactic reactions in pets and can be life-threatening if not treated. Symptoms include swelling around the face and muzzle, hives, rapid heart rate, vomiting, fever and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
- Ingesting a foreign object. Pets can accidentally swallow foreign objects, which can lead to digestive blockages that may require emergency surgery to save their life. Common items pets may ingest include parts of toys, shoes, sticks, rocks, and for cats specifically, thread or ribbon, which can get tangled in the digestive tract.
- Eating toxic substances. Pets can ingest toxic substances from household items, plants, cleaners, pest poisons and medications. Certain human foods, like chocolate, onions, grapes and Xylitol (a sugar-free sweetener) are also toxic and potentially fatal to pets. Immediate emergency care is needed if your pet consumes these substances.
- Acute collapsing. Many diseases can cause a pet to collapse. When a pet is unable to get up, this can range from internal bleeding or organ damage.
Accidents and emergencies happen, but knowing how to respond to them is key. Identifying where to turn for help is the first thing pet parents should plan for.
“When a pet parent calls VEG, they speak immediately with a licensed veterinarian to get their medical questions answered,” said James Starr, Medical Director for VEG Jacksonville. “VEG customers don’t need to wait and worry in a lobby. Instead, triage begins as soon as they walk in the door, even before filling out paperwork.”
Emergency is what VEG does best because it’s the only type of care provided. That includes surgeries, ultrasounds, X-rays and more.
“Because we provide emergency care only, our care team is highly trained on emergency care and are able to handle everything -- all kinds of emergencies and all kinds of pets -- even exotics,” Starr said. “VEG works closely with primary veterinarians.”
It’s not uncommon for an animal to have to stay overnight, and pet parents often want to know if they can stay with their loved one.
“We have an open floor plan that allows pet parents to stay with their pets through every phase of treatment and to see our life-saving heroics up close,” Starr said. “VEG understands that pets are a critical part of the family and must be treated as such during times of emergency.”
VEG Jacksonville, which is open for emergencies -- even on holidays -- recently opened a location off Town Center Parkway. The new location is the eighth in Florida following Tampa, South Tampa, Miami, Boynton Beach, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale and Winter Park, and is one of 100 nationwide.
To learn more about pet care at VEG Jacksonville, click or tap here.
