Our pets are subject to many illnesses and injuries. Common pet emergencies can vary greatly in severity. Many of these conditions need prompt medical or surgical attention. Other conditions need ongoing care. We are available to address your pet’s needs when they arise. The Animal Hospital at Thorndale can provide continuing daily care in our hospital, and we also collaborate with area specialty and emergency hospitals that offer 24 hour care. Our hospital is equipped and our staff is trained to best assist your pet when health problems develop or when an injury occurs. If you think your pet has an emergency, call our office at 610-873-4091. Give us as much information as you can about your pet’s condition. Give us your name and telephone number, and pet’s name if he/she is already a patient of ours. This way we can best prepare for your pet’s arrival and immediate care.
How Do I Know If I Have An Emergency With My Pet?
Often the best way (but not the only way) to decide if your pet has an emergency is to “put yourself inside the furry suit”. If you were doing what your pet is doing, would you go to the emergency hospital or call your doctor to schedule an appointment the next day? Difficulty breathing, inability to stand or walk, seizures, eye injuries, ingestion of toxins, ongoing vomiting or retching, especially with abdominal distention, and difficulty urinating all need immediate attention. All traumatic injuries including bites from other animals, vehicular trauma, and any penetrating wound need immediate attention. Even if the pet “looks okay” on the surface, hidden internal organ damage may prove deadly in these patients.
Our rule is, if the pet owner thinks it is urgent, it is urgent. We want to help you best understand your pet’s condition. We want to help you provide the best care possible for your pet. If you have any concerns or questions about your pet, call us. That is what we are here for! Here is a quick list of some emergency situations. The list is not all inclusive but is a good starting point:
- HIT BY CAR
- COLLASPE
- COMA
- PARALYSIS
- ATAXIA (WOBBLY GAIT, INABILITY TO STAND)
- ELECTRICAL SHOCK
- WEAK NEWBORN(S)
- ANOREXIC CAT (NOT EATING)
- INABILITY TO URINATE
- ANY EYE INJURY
- RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTY
- VOMITING – CONTINUALLY
- DIARRHEA – CONTINUALLY (ESP. BLOODY)
- SEIZURE – PROLONGED OR CONTINUAL
- PENETRATING WOUNDS
- OBVIOUS AND SUSPECTED FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS
- VAGINAL – ODOROUS DISCHARGE
- VAGINAL OR RECTAL PROLAPSE
- BURNS
- FALLS FROM HEIGHTS
- DOG ATTACK (DOG VS. DOG / DOG VS. CAT)
- HEMMORHAGE
- ANY TRAUMA
- ACUTE ABDOMINAL DISTENTION
- INGESTION OF FOREIGN BODY
- INGESTION OF CORN COBS/CHUNKS OF BONES
- HEAT PROSTRATION/EXHAUSTION/STROKE
- FROSTBITE
- DYSTOCIA (DIFFICULTY GIVING BIRTH)
- DIABETIC – UNSTABLE
- HISTORY OF PRE-EXISTING DISEASE BECOMING UNSTABLE (HEART, KIDNEY ETC.)
- BODY TEMP. > 104 OR < 98 (USE A RECTAL THERMOMETER)
- SMOKE INHALATION
- SNAKE BITE
- TOXINS INGESTED:
- ETHYLENE GLYCOL (ANTI- FREEZE)
- RODENTICIDES (RAT POISON)
- SNAIL BAIT INGESTION
- CHOCOLATE
- RAISINS
- XYLITOL SWEETENED CHEWING GUMS AND FOODS
- ACETOMETAPHINE (TYLENOL) INGESTION BY CATS
- MACADAMIA NUTS
- HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS/CLEANERS/DETERGENT PODS
- PESTICIDES OF ANY KIND
- DRUGS OF ANY SORT (LEGAL OR ILLEGAL)
- OWNER’S MEDICATIONS – EVEN OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS
- NICOTINE (TOBACCO)
- MARIJUANA
- ALCOHOL
- PLANTS – (BLUE GREEN ALGAE & MANY, MANY OTHERS)
- MUSHROOMS
- ACORNS
- KEROSENE, OILS, DIESEL FUEL
- BACTERIAL TOXINS – OLD GARBAGE
- OWNER’S PERCEPTION OF AN EMERGENCY /OWNER FEELS PET IS IN PAIN
Remember, if you think you pet is in pain, is ill or injured, you are always “better safe than sorry” and should give us a call.