Lakewood residents ask, “When does a pet emergency require immediate veterinary care services?”
Posted by Dr. Jose Arambulo
Pet emergency situations
Although this is not an exhaustive list, pet emergencies that require immediate veterinary care may include the following:- Bleeding - Severe bleeding, bleeding that does not stop, or bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum warrant emergency pet care services to stop your pet from losing too much blood.
- Choking or difficulty breathing - These problems are often caused by an object getting caught in the throat or being wrapped too tightly around the neck. Signs of choking include distress, drooling, pawing at the mouth, gagging or retching sounds, and coughing.
- Ingestion of toxic food or materials - Cleaning supplies and foods such as chocolate, onions, and grapes are toxic to dogs. If you suspect your pet has consumed a toxic material, contact the vet for directions.
- Inability to urinate or pass a stool - This could be due to a blockage and requires veterinary care.
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea - Pets can easily become dehydrated. Contact the vet if your pet is vomiting, has diarrhoea, and/or cannot keep food down.
- Fractured bones and/or inability to move legs - If your pet’s leg is hurt, you may notice limping or a refusal to put pressure on the leg. He/she may not allow you to touch the injured area.
- Signs of heatstroke - While many dogs love to play outside, it is easy to overdo it, especially in the summer. Signs of heatstroke include panting, excessive drooling, bright red tongue, pale gums, increased heart rate, and vomiting.
- Seizure - Seizures may occur for a variety of reasons. Accurate diagnosis by a vet is necessary. If your pet has a seizure, note your pet’s behaviours and how long the seizure lasts so you have accurate information for your veterinarian.
- Obvious signs of pain or discomfort - Pets do not like to show weakness and try to hide their pain. If they are showing signs of discomfort, the pain must be severe or has been going on longer than you may realize.
- Unconsciousness - Contact the vet immediately.
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When to seek immediate veterinary care
Pets are naturally curious. Therefore, even with the best care and preparation, emergencies can happen. Whether your pet ingests something toxic, has a seizure, or is bleeding, you need to take action. When the unexpected occurs, remember to stay calm. Your pet feeds off of your energy. Keep the environment as stress-free as possible to help your companion remain calm too.The bottom line is that if something seems off or concerns you, it warrants a call to the veterinarian, even to simply give you peace of mind. Contact Bloomfield Animal Hospital in Lakewood, CA for emergency pet care services. Our compassionate staff can assist you in making an appointment or let you know how to handle your pet’s situation. Call (562) 383-7788.
Bloomfield Animal Hospital is a trusted name in pets’ preventive, medical, surgical, and emergency care in Lakewood, CA. With a 30-year history as a family-owned pet clinic, it provides modern services in a warm, friendly environment. It’s one of the few veterinary hospitals to be AAHA-accredited.
Dr. Jose Arambulo, owner and chief veterinarian, is experienced in treating eye, ear, and skin disorders and is especially interested in internal medicine, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. He earned his BS in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of the Philippines. He completed clinical evaluation for veterinary medicine at Purdue University in Indiana and was a veterinarian at Banfield and California before acquiring Bloomfield Animal Hospital.
Dr. Arambulo is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Information Network, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
Our Traveling Surgeon, Dr. Zachery Smith, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He specializes in complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. While training, he worked with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. He has lectured both locally and internationally. Dr. Smith plays a leading role at Veterinary Orthopedics of California, which is dedicated to providing high-level surgical services to pets.
Our visiting physician, Dr. Fred Brewer, is a veterinary cardiologist board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology at UCLA and earned his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2009. Later, he completed a one-year general rotating internship at the California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in West Los Angeles and a three-year cardiology residency at Cornell University.
Dr. Arambulo is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Information Network, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
