Do you have a pet? Are you concerned about what to do in case of an unexpected emergency? Would you like additional information about the types of emergencies that could occur with your pet? If any of these descriptions fit you, keep reading.
In this article, you’ll learn more about the five potential emergencies involving your pet that may require immediate medical attention and surgery. The more you know about the possible risks your pet encounters, the more you can take preventive measures for them.
Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries such as those sustained from being struck by a vehicle or falling from a height can be more serious than they initially look. Cuts, bruises, and broken bones are common in pets who have been in these types of incidents. Since there are various types of bone fractures and injuries that can be accumulated, performing a surgical operation on your pet can help treat all of them simultaneously.
Foreign Body Ingestion
Your pet’s risk of ingesting something they shouldn’t is the same whether they’re playing inside your home or outside. Accidental intake of foreign items can cause gastrointestinal obstructions in pets, requiring emergency surgery. Chewing toys, household items like shoe or shock fragments, sticks, rocks, and other potentially unsafe objects can all find their way right into your pets’ mouths.
String or ribbon, which cats are specifically prone to swallow while playing with, can end up being tangled in the digestive tract and must be operatively removed. These conditions are often surgical emergencies calling for a veterinarian’s expertise to detect and treat.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding can be brought on by trauma, tumors, poisoning, or infections, and the symptoms include swollen abdominal, pale gums, sensitivity to touch, and exhaustion. Internal bleeding is not often immediately noticeable without further diagnostic testing, but surgical treatment can be effective in stopping the bleeding and finding the source by using X-rays and blood analysis.
If your pet shows any of the above symptoms of internal bleeding, it is crucial that you seek immediate medical care from veterinary facilities like the Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton.
Bloat
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), is a deadly illness in which gas accumulates in the stomach and twists itself, cutting off blood flow to vital organs and affecting the digestive system and breathing. Unable to vomit, firm abdomen, difficulty breathing, and fatigue are all symptoms of bloat.
Surgery is crucial to deflate and untwist the stomach, which may then be attached to the abdominal wall to prevent future swelling in the belly. Check out the resources on this page to find out more about bloat and how surgical intervention can treat this health condition.
Dystocia
Dystocia is the medical term used when a pet has trouble giving birth, causing prolonged labor. Electrolyte abnormalities, large fetuses relative to the delivery canal, and fetuses in an incorrect position are all possible root causes of dystocia. It’s dangerous for the mother’s life and stressful for the fetus when labor goes too long. In order to save the mother and its newborn pets, the veterinarian will perform an emergency c-section.
How to Deal With Pet Emergencies
It’s not always easy to deal with stress in an emergency, but if you’re prepared, you’ll find it easier to be calm and rational. Here’s some advice for remaining composed in case of an emergency with your pet:
- Stay Calm
- Contact your veterinarian immediately
- Have the phone number of a local pet emergency hospital that is open twenty-four hours a day
- Prepare a pet stretcher and practice strapping in your pet before an emergency occurs
Conclusion
No person wants to think of their beloved pet going under the knife, but the reality is that most pet parents will have to deal with an emergency at some point that will necessitate surgery to save their pet’s life. You may not be an expert in animal care, but knowing when your pet is in danger and getting the help they need can mean the difference between losing them and having a long and happy relationship together.