Do you own a pet? Are you worried about what to do in case of an emergency? Would you like additional information about the types of emergencies that could happen with your pet? If any of these descriptions fit you, keep reading.

In this article, you’ll learn more about the five potential emergencies involving your pet that may require urgent medical attention and surgical treatment. The more you know about the possible risks your pet encounters, the more you can take preventive measures.

Traumatic Injuries

Traumatic injuries such as those sustained from being struck by a vehicle or falling from a height can be more severe than they initially look. Cuts, bruises, and broken bones are common in pets who have been in these types of accidents. Since various types of fractures and injuries can be accumulated, conducting a surgical operation on your pet can help treat all of them simultaneously.

Foreign Body Ingestion

Your pet’s risk of ingesting something they shouldn’t is the same whether they’re playing indoors or outdoors. Accidental intake of foreign objects can cause gastrointestinal obstructions in pets, requiring emergency surgery. Chewing toys, household items like shoe or shock fragments, sticks, rocks, and other potentially harmful objects can all find their way right into your pets’ mouths.

Thread or ribbon, which cats are especially prone to ingest while playing with, can end up being tangled in the digestive system and should be surgically removed. These problems are often surgical emergencies calling for a vet’s expertise to detect and treat.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding can be brought on by trauma, tumors, poisoning, or infections, and the symptoms include a swollen belly, pale gums, sensitivity to touch, and exhaustion. Internal bleeding is not often immediately apparent without further diagnostic testing, but surgical treatment can be effective in stopping the bleeding and locating the source by having your pet undergo a cat or dog lab test, which includes using X-rays and blood analysis.

Bloat

Bloat, also called gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), is a deadly disease in which gas accumulates in the abdominal region and twists itself, cutting off blood circulation to vital organs and affecting digestion and breathing. Unable to vomit, firm abdomen, difficulty breathing, and exhaustion are all signs and symptoms of bloat. 

Surgery is crucial to deflate and untwist the stomach, which may then be affixed to the abdominal wall to prevent future swelling in the stomach. Follow this link for relevant information about identifying and treating bloat in pets.

Dystocia

Dystocia is the medical term used when a pet has trouble giving birth, causing prolonged labor. Electrolyte abnormalities, large fetuses relative to the delivery canal, and fetuses in a wrong posture are all possible causes of dystocia. It’s risky for the mother’s life and stressful for the fetus when labor goes too long. In order to save the mother and its newborn pets, the vet will perform an emergency c-section.

How to Deal With Pet Emergencies

It’s not always easy to deal with stress in an emergency, but if you’re prepared, you’ll find it much easier to be calm and rational. Here’s some advice for staying composed in case of an emergency with your beloved pet:

• Remain Calm
• Contact your vet immediately
• Have the contact number of local veterinary facilities like the Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton, which is open twenty-four hours a day
• Prepare a pet stretcher and practice strapping in your pet before an emergency occurs

Conclusion

Nobody wants to think of their beloved pet going under the knife, but the reality is that the majority of pet owners will have to deal with an unexpected emergency at some point that will necessitate surgical treatment to save their pet’s life. You may not be an expert in animal care, but recognizing when your pet is in danger and getting the help they need can mean the difference between losing them and having a long and happy relationship with each other.