Chatham-Kent Veterinary Hospitals

When your pet is sick, injured, or just off enough that you know that something isn’t quite right, it can be difficult to tell whether the situation requires immediate medical attention. Of course, some signs are clearer than others—think bleeding, open wounds, or continuous vomiting—but not all conditions are as obvious.

So, what’s the difference between urgent and emergency care? The answer isn’t always clear-cut, but generally speaking, emergency care is required for any life-threatening injury or illness that requires immediate hospitalization. Urgent care falls between emergency care and regular vet visits, in the somewhat nebulous area of “I know something’s wrong with my pet and it needs to be checked out by a vet ASAP.”

If you’re ever in doubt about what qualifies for urgent versus emergency care, just contact us and we’ll help you figure it out. In the meantime, read on for a working list of pet ailments that can help you make a call in your care decision.

• Respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing, or near drowning

• Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine (internal injury may have occurred)

• Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face or hives on the belly

• Suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication; cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product

• Straining to urinate or defecate

• Seizure, fainting, or collapse

• Eye injury no matter how mild

• Vomiting or diarrhea (more than two or three times within an hour)

• Snake or venomous spider bites

• Thermal stress from being either too cold or too hot, even if the pet seems to have recovered (internal injury may have occurred)

• Wounds or lacerations that are open and bleeding, or any animal bite

Although some other problems may not be life-threatening, they may be causing your pet pain and should be taken care of without delay. Signs of pain include panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, crying out, aggression, and loss of appetite. Some pets seek company when suffering, while others will withdraw. When in doubt, call us.

Our after-hours emergency care takes place in either Windsor or London. Call your veterinary clinic to find out what arrangements are made for emergencies and be sure to know what number to call and which clinic to go to. Keep this emergency information easily available.

The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats by Amy Shojai is one of the best books on first aid for dogs and cats. When an animal is sick or injured at home, chances are you won’t have instant access to either a veterinarian or medical supplies. This book explains what needs to be done, how to do it, and what household items to use. (For example, think “stretcher” for that ironing board and “body wrap” for the plastic wrap to keep injured skin in place.)

Following is a list of websites that may assist you in the care of your pet. (We do not regularly monitor the content of these websites and are not responsible for the information supplied.)

• Poison Control www.aspca.org

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has supplementary information on pet first aid, as well as a downloadable guide of helpful tips.

Remember, you know your pet better than anyone else. If you notice changes in their behavior or patterns and sense that they’re acting unusual, you may be detecting the first signs of a health issue. Depending on the situation, you can consult your regular vet or visit urgent or emergency care.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

24 Hour Phone Number: (888) 426-4435

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.