WHEN IS IT TIME TO GO TO THE VET?

Guest post by Jessica Fellers, DVM

Sometimes it is tough to know when to make an appointment with your veterinarian for your pet. What symptoms should cause the most concern or even warrant a trip to the emergency clinic in the middle of the night? The most important thing you need to know is ask, ask, ask. Call us at (704) 220-0226 with any questions you may have.  It's always better to make an appointment, have your pet examined, and find out that your pet is fine. Peace of mind is of great value!

There are times when it is obvious that emergency care is necessary, such as traumatic injury, severe bite wounds, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse etc. But what are some things that you can do, to help you to decide, when you aren’t so sure?

GUIDELINES FOR AT HOME TO KNOW WHEN TO HAVE YOUR PET SEEN:

If your pet allows you to safely take a rectal temperature with a digital thermometer, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly, and gently insert only the small metal tip. Normal values are between 100F to 102.5F for cats and dogs. Temperatures above or below these values indicate your pet needs to be checked by your veterinarian ASAP. A dry or wet nose is of little value. Also, if you can safely lift your pet’s lip and check their gums, they should appear pink, not red, yellow or white/pale. You can also gently press on the gums with your fingertip. It will briefly turn white, but should return to pink in less than 2 seconds. Three seconds or greater is a concern.

If your pet has ingested anything other than their normal food and treats, please call to find out if treatment is necessary. Items of significant concern include chocolate (especially dark), macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, xylitol-containing chewing gums, homemade play dough, paintballs, fertilizer, rat poison, etc. Some of these can result in death if not addressed immediately. Please bring in the bag, wrapping, label, etc. for the product. This can be a critical piece of information.

Never give human medications without consulting a veterinarian. If you feel tempted to open your medicine cabinet, give us a call first. If there is an accidental ingestion of medications or supplements, please call to be sure they are safe.

A few instances of vomiting or diarrhea are not likely to be a concern unless your pet is not acting normally. If there are more than 2-3 episodes it is time to make an appointment.

 Anytime your pet has difficulty urinating, especially male cats, please bring them in immediately. This may also appear as vocalizing or even hiding.

Pain may not always be easy to assess. Some symptoms include restlessness, panting, not eating, whining, loss of appetite, acting withdrawn, aggression, or hiding.

Injuries to the eye should be taken seriously and treated quickly. Look for squinting, tearing, cloudiness, rubbing, or sudden loss of vision.

Since our pets can’t tell us when they don’t feel well, we have to be knowledgeable of signs that they need our help. Your pet’s safety and your peace of mind are important to us. Call us with your questions, we are here to help.