What is an Emergency?

Emergencies should be a life threatening situation that is the result of an accidental injury or the sudden onset of an illness. The following are some of the physical signs of an emergency requiring immediate veterinary assistance:

• The dog has not eaten in 48 hours

• Your dog has had a traumatic injury (hit by a car, bit by a snake/poisonous insect etc.)

• Abdominal discomfort including bloating, unproductive vomiting, hard distended stomach or arched back

• Bone fracture

• Difficulty or inability to urinate

• Eye injury

• Prolonged or significant bleeding, including blood in the stool or urine

• Difficulty breathing

• Gums are pale or a bluish purple.

• Severe trembling or shaking

• Obvious discomfort

• Depression

• Fever

• Vomiting or diarrhea lasting for more than 24 hours.

• Collapse, sudden weakness or loss of consciousness.

• Dog is known to have ingested drugs or poisons.

• Choking or is known to have swallowed a foreign object.

• Female is unable to deliver a puppy after 2 hours of labor.

What is Normal for Your Dog?

It is important to know what is considered normal, so you have a reference point for your dog.

• Temperature: Normal temperature for a dog is 101 to 103 degrees

• Heart Rate: Normal heart rate for a dog is 70 to 120 beats per minute

• Respiration:  Normal respiration for a dog is 18 to 34 breaths per minute