Check out these Super Happy Pet Products...
| Top Ten Emergencies in Dogs |
|
Bloat is the common term for the condition when a dog’s stomach greatly distends with air, food, and/or fluid. The stomach is then at risk for twisting on itself which is called Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or GDV. In GDV, the stomach can rotate on its axis anywhere from 90 to 360 degrees. When this occurs, blood flow is obstructed to vital organs beyond the stomach which can lead to shock and death. The signs of GDV include: GDV can become life threatening within minutes of the onset of signs. You should get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible and prepare for treatments including intravenous fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, and eventual surgical repair. Certain breeds that have a deep-chested body type are more commonly affected with this condition. These breeds include German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Great Danes, and Doberman Pinschers. There are many opinions as to the causes of GDV in dogs. Stress and a nervous or anxious temperament are generally accepted by most veterinarians as predisposing factors. A gastropexy (a surgery where the stomach is permanently sutured to the body wall to prevent rotation) can be done to prevent the development of GDV in more commonly affected breeds. A sudden loss of coordination or movement of the hind legs in your pet signals a need for emergency care. The most common cause of these signs is a herniated or “slipped” disc in the spine (often called intervertebral disc disease or IVDD). Your dog may start by showing pain or arching of the back. Signs that things are getting worse include “knuckling” of the back feet, uncoordinated or “drunk” walking, or complete loss of all movement to the hind legs. Your dog should be evaluated right away if any of these signs develop. Dachsunds are the leading breed for developing IVDD but Beagles and Cocker Spaniels are also commonly affected. Your veterinarian may prescribe medication as well as strict cage rest for several weeks in mild cases of IVDD. If the signs are severe or the condition progresses, surgery is necessary to decompress the area of spinal damage and remove the offending disc. Vomiting and diarrhea are probably the two most common reasons emergency veterinarians see their canine patients. There are literally hundreds of causes for these signs in dogs but the most concerning are viral infections and ingestion of foreign objects. Viral infections include the dreaded and highly contagious Parvo virus. This intestinal virus is most aggressive in young and unvaccinated dogs. The virus causes the intestinal tract to “slough” its surface which owners see as severe bloody vomit and diarrhea. The virus also limits the dog’s ability to fight off infection by attacking the white blood cells in the bone marrow. Pups will be extremely weak and lethargic from dehydration. Hospitalization and intense treatment is required to prevent these patients from developing secondary infections which can be fatal. Dogs, especially young dogs, are notorious for eating foreign objects. When an object becomes lodged in the intestinal tract, vomiting usually follows. If you have seen your dog ingest an object, or he/she has been vomiting frequently, you should seek veterinary care where an abdominal X-ray may be needed for diagnosis. Some objects can be retrieved non-surgically (either through induced vomiting or with an endoscope), while others require an exploratory surgery. Dogs can have seizures for a variety of reasons. If your dog has a single seizure and then recovers normally, a phone call to your veterinarian to discuss a visit the following day is in order. If your dog has multiple seizures, or does not return to normal activity after a single seizure, you should treat the situation as an emergency and seek veterinary care right away. Causes of seizures include epilepsy, brain tumors, low blood sugar, ingestion of poisons or toxins, liver and kidney disease, and head trauma. Regardless of cause, you should expect your veterinarian to check blood work and to discuss other appropriate testing and medications depending on the suspected cause of the seizures. It is important to remember that during a seizure your pet is not aware of his/her behavior so do not try to hold or handle your pet during this time. Keep your dog away from any areas where he/she could be injured (such as stairs) and keep your hands away from the mouth to prevent any unintentional bite wounds. Hemoabdomen is the medical term for blood accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Internal bleeding within the abdomen can occur from several causes including certain toxins (rat and mouse poison) or trauma, but is most commonly due to the rupture of a tumor in the spleen. Even though a tumor may have been growing over several months, the signs detected by an owner will be sudden in onset. Because of sudden blood loss at the time of rupture, the dog will show signs of circulatory shock including pale gums, profound weakness, rapid heart rate, and collapse. Hemoabdomen, regardless of the cause, is a serious emergency and veterinary care should not be delayed. Expect to have blood tests and X-rays taken on arrival at the emergency room while life saving measures (such as intravenous fluids and possible blood transfusions) are started. Many times surgery is necessary to control the hemorrhage, however, in the case of splenic tumors, the disease may have already spread to other locations. Dogs are most likely to experience allergic reactions from vaccinations, medications, and venomous insect stings (bees and wasps). Reactions can range from mild signs, such as facial swelling and hives, to severe signs of shock. Phone your veterinarian at the first signs of any facial swelling as you may be given a dose of antihistamine over the phone and be spared a trip to the emergency clinic. If swelling persists or signs worsen, you should seek emergency care which will likely include injections of antihistamines and corticosteroids. Dogs are often victims of automobile accidents and the extent of injuries range from mild to fatal. The most common injuries from car encounters include fractures, lung injury, head trauma, and severe bruising. It is always advised to have your pet examined after being hit by a car, even if he or she appears normal, as many injuries may appear or worsen over the next few hours. Dogs are curious and playful and often encounter toxins around their household and outdoor environment. Signs of toxicity depend on the type of toxin that is ingested. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a toxin, you should phone your veterinarian to discuss treatment recommendations. For a fee, you can obtain information and treatment recommendations on pet poisonings from the ASPCA Poison Control Center 24 hours a day (888-426-4435). Some of the most commonly reported toxins in emergency canine patients are: Dog fights are a common cause for your pet to end up in the emergency room. Some of the wounds are obvious with external lacerations and visible bleeding. When little dogs are shaken by larger dogs, the external wounds are often only the tip of the iceberg. Many times internal bleeding from compression and shaking can lead to life threatening injuries that are not always visible. Many times these small dogs develop signs of shock (pale gums, rapid heart rate, weakness) by the time they arrive at the emergency hospital indicating there is likely internal blood loss. Emergency veterinarians have even created the term BDLD to describe these “big dog little dog” encounters and associated injuries. You should seek emergency care for all bite wounds so that your veterinarian may thoroughly evaluate the wounds and prescribe appropriate antibiotics for your pet. Occasionally the wounds will develop large pockets called abscesses under the skin that require surgical placement of a drain to help with healing. With the more severe internal injuries in smaller dogs, surgical exploratory may be required. A dog may collapse for several reasons including heat stroke, low blood sugar, heart disease, or laryngeal disease. Regardless of cause, owners recognize the urgency of this condition and should make every effort to have their pet transported for emergency care without delay. Puppies, especially of small breeds, are often found to have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which can be treated with intravenous dextrose (sugar) with generally good outcomes. In most cases the low blood sugar resolves as the dog grows and owners are advised to use nutritional supplements and small frequent feedings until adulthood. Other times a hypoglycemic puppy may be diagnosed with a congenital (acquired from birth) liver condition called a portosystemic shunt which requires surgical correction. Some dogs that develop heart-rhythm abnormalities (arrythmias) present to the emergency room having collapsed. The veterinarian can usually detect an abnormality during the physical exam that will lead to this diagnosis. Dogs with a history of progressively noisy breathing, or poor tolerance to heat, may collapse due to decreased function of the larynx (the curtains in the back of the throat that open and close with breathing) which prevents them from panting normally and raises their body temperature. Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at DogHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. |
Canine emergencies can happen at any time or place and being a prepared owner greatly improves your pet’s chances of a successful outcome. Below is a description of some of the most common emergencies you many encounter during your years of dog ownership. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these situations is the first step to ensuring the best emergency care for your canine companion.