Not every health problem your pet encounters will require emergency medical care. With some illnesses and injuries, symptoms may develop slowly or seem minor on the surface, thereby making it difficult to determine the need for immediate medical care.

We have compiled the following information to assist you in determining if your pet requires emergent medical care:

• Bleeding that is either prolonged, severe or both.

• Trauma

• Vomiting or diarrhea which is repeated, severe, or disables pet from normal fluid/food intake/absorption.

• Unwillingness or inability to drink and/or eat for over 12-24 hours.

• Consumption of toxins including household medications-please call ahead before giving any home remedies.

• Ingestion of foreign objects.

• Convulsions/Seizures/Tremors.

• Lethargy, abnormal mentation, weakness.

• Pain which interferes with pets willingness to interact, void, eat/drink or do their other normal activities.

• Eye problems

• Disorientation, inability to walk normally, staggering.

• Heatstroke

• Drowning

• Coughing which is so frequent/severe as to disrupt normal activity, eating/drinking, etc. or if tied to respiratory distress.

• Respiratory distress, exercise intolerance or collapse with activity

If your pet has an ongoing medical problem that could result in a sudden emergency, make sure that you keep pertinent medical records easily accessible (current medications, dosages, etc.) so the Yakima Pet Emergency doctors can be aware of your pet’s current therapies.

• Keep your Yakima Pet Emergency and your regular veterinarian’s phone numbers by your phone in case of an emergency.

• Know basic first aid tips for pets. Ask your veterinarian for these tips ahead of time at your next wellness exam.

Remain calm, your pet needs your help.

In case of trauma or injury, always use caution when handling an injured or scared pet. animals in pain will frequently bite. You can use a length of gauze, a thin sock or soft leash as a muzzle for dogs, or “scruff” cats for safety. Wrap small pets in a blanket before picking them up or use a larger blanket as a stretcher for big dogs.

In case of suspected poisoning or known toxin ingestion, call Pet Emergency or Poison Control first to obtain instruction. Never attempt home remedies without directions as they often only worsen the situation by creating a secondary toxicity to deal with.

In case of bleeding wounds, apply pressure with padding or cloth of some type and secure with tape or wrap, (not a tourniquet).