The 5 Most Common Emergency Cases In A Veterinary Clinic
Although we take great care of our pets, they are not free from diseases or situations that may require immediate medical attention. Below we list the most common emergency cases in dogs and cats. Be careful, because if you do not act quickly, the life of our four-legged friend could be in grave danger.
Most common emergencies among animals
Our beloved pets are not free from accidents or illnesses that require immediate medical attention, as otherwise, they can be life threatening. Predictable or not, we tell you which are the most common emergency cases that arise in a veterinary clinic.
1- Accidents of any kind
Dogs can run away from home or on a walk for several reasons. If they live in a large city, the risk of being involved in a road accident is high. Cats can also be run over; furthermore, despite their “seven lives” and their reputation of always falling on their paws, they get hurt, and a lot, if they lose their balance and fall from great heights.
Both cats and dogs are exposed to injuries, inside and outside the home, due to sharp objects or to burns or bumps against objects of various kinds. All of these situations, although many should be prevented, are among the most common emergency cases in a veterinary clinic.
2-Drowning and occlusions in dogs and cats
Animals are naturally curious and usually put any object in their mouth to bite or play. Between these:
- Toys
- Socks and other garments
- Ropes
- Sticks
- Stones
- Rubber bands
- Buttons
- Caps
Sometimes they swallow them and this is a problem and, depending on the characteristics of the ingested element, they can suffer more or less serious injuries. In any case, an urgent visit from the veterinarian is required.
If the animal was lucky and did not drown with the object, thus avoiding possible asphyxiation, it still runs the risk of intestinal obstruction and even perforation. In these cases, surgery is required.
3- Poisoning and intoxication
When our dog or cat goes out on the street, with our consent or running away, there is always the danger that he will become intoxicated with various substances or be poisoned by unscrupulous people.
However, keep in mind that even indoors, or in the garden, animals are exposed to various dangers. What is certain is that our four-legged friends can get intoxicated, among other things, with:
- Feed
- Plant
- Medicines for humans
- Foods not suitable for dogs or cats
- Cleaning products
4- Feline urological syndrome
Obstruction of the urethra is a serious problem that mainly affects male cats, but can also affect dogs. It is a condition that implies a risk of death, since if the obstruction is total, the urine cannot leave the bladder. Therefore, immediate action must be taken to clear the obstruction that can be caused by:
- Mucus
- Urinary sediments
- Small stones in the bladder
A cat that cannot pee is restless, will repeatedly lick its penis and will try to urinate anywhere, not just in the litter box. Pay close attention to these signs, as an animal with these conditions must be taken to the vet with extreme urgency.
5-Gastric torsion in dogs
Gastric torsion is a disease that affects, above all, large dog breeds and which, exceptionally, can occur in felines. It occurs when the ligaments of the stomach cannot withstand the dilation caused by the accumulation of air, food or liquids.
Then, the stomach of the animal twists on its axis and the arteries, veins and blood vessels of the digestive system are compressed, interrupting the blood circulation. Because of this, some organs stop working. It is urgent to tell you that this is a veterinary emergency and that the animal is in serious danger of life if we do not intervene in time.
