If you have pets, whether they are a dog, cat, bird, or other creature, then chances are you’re taking them to the vet quite often. In fact, according to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, dogs are usually taken to the vet at least six times a year, which is the equivalent of taking a long-distance journey in one year! But what are the different types of emergencies you could find yourself facing and how to treat them? We’ve put together a simple guide with all of the best veterinary advice.
1. Shock
This can be caused by a heart attack, lack of oxygen, a puncture in the chest or stomach, a stroke, a sudden fall, or a spinal cord injury. But how do you know whether your pet is having cardiac arrest? Shock is a state where the heart suddenly stops beating. The reason your pet is in this state is that there is something wrong with the heart, either the rhythm or the blood supply to the heart is interrupted.
When this happens, your pet’s body will begin to undergo a rapid change. It will begin to reduce blood flow to vital organs. This is because your pet’s heart is not able to pump blood around the body. Dogs do not usually suffer from cardiac arrest, as they are less likely to die of a heart attack than humans. The main symptom of a dog having a cardiac arrest is that it may start breathing very quickly, stop breathing, and become unconscious.
Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, are more prone to sudden cardiac arrest than others. This is because their cardiac rhythm is much more irregular, meaning that it’s harder to get an accurate rhythm reading. It is also possible for dogs to suffer from a condition called hypotonia, which is similar to a lack of muscle tone. This often causes difficulty breathing, so the dog may appear gaunt and have a reduced amount of energy.
Treatment options for shock depend on what is causing it. The first option is to increase your pet’s blood supply. You may need to call a vet straight away to provide this, but there are a number of ways to do this. They may need to receive intravenous fluids, an electric shock treatment, or a fast-acting drug called Lasix.
It is also important to try and bring your pet’s blood pressure down. You can help by placing them on their side, holding their head, and applying pressure to their chest. You can also give them water and honey. If none of this works, then you may need to start CPR. If you have these symptoms in your any pets or dog please visit your nears Emergency vets.
Other options for treatment can include a heart massage, putting oxygen in their airways, or giving them fluids such as Pedialyte. If the pet has a spinal cord injury, this will be treated first, before any treatment is given for heart problems. If your pet is having a cardiac arrest, you should first get them to a vet as soon as possible. The sooner you can get them to the vet, the more likely they are to survive. A vet can give the pet emergency treatment to help them breathe more easily, and start breathing on its own again.
2. Parvo
A pit bull terrier is an example of a dog who could suffer from parvo. Dogs can get parvo from other infected dogs, or if they eat undercooked meat.
Parvo is a highly infectious disease that causes your dog to become extremely ill, suffer from severe vomiting, and will suffer from diarrhea. It is very contagious, so it is always best to keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms. If your dog has symptoms of parvo, take them to a vet straight away.
Treatment for parvo is both costly and can be difficult. The first thing to do is get your pet to a vet as soon as possible. It is important for your pet to be kept hydrated and fed. In some cases, it is possible for your dog to get better after they have had the virus, but in other cases, it will need to stay in the vet for the rest of its treatment.
Parvo requires your pet to receive antibiotics. These can be given via a drip directly into the artery of your pet’s neck. In some cases, you will need to stay at the vet for a few days, and your pet will need to be put on fluids intravenously. Your vet will have to monitor your pet’s recovery and need to know the progress that they are making.
In some cases, your dog may need to be put on an intravenous drip and will be unable to eat for the rest of the treatment. In some cases, it is possible for your dog to survive parvo.
3. Heartworm
Heartworm is caused by the heartworm parasite. This parasite is a microscopic worm that can be transmitted to dogs via a mosquito bite. Your dog will develop an allergic reaction if they are bitten by a mosquito, which can give them a painful infection called anaplasmosis. This will then turn into heartworm, which will kill the dog.
The mosquito will then lay its eggs on your dog’s fur. Your pet will then shed the eggs on its fur, and continue to shed them for the next few days. Once the eggs are shed, they will hatch into larvae. It is important for your dog to get rid of its body hair for a few days before you begin treatment. This will help reduce the number of heartworm larvae in your dog’s body, which is where heartworm treatments come in.
For your dog to be able to treat heartworm, your vet will usually use an injectable tablet. This will take around a month for your dog to be completely treated for heartworm. During this treatment, your dog will be treated with either oral medications or a series of injections.
4. Bacterial Infection
If your dog’s skin starts to become swollen or oozing pus, or the temperature of your dog’s skin is above 38°C, then you should take them to the vet. This could be because your dog has an infected nail.
Pets can get infected with bacteria called Brucellosis, which can cause them to swell up. In some cases, it can be fatal. There are three different symptoms to look out for: The first is when the dog’s skin appears red and inflamed, the second is when the affected area becomes warm, and the third is when the affected area becomes swollen.
The first symptom is the worst one to notice, so your vet needs to be able to get to the affected area quickly. There are different ways in which your dog can be treated for this infection. In some cases, it is possible to be treated with a course of antibiotics. In other cases, your vet will need to remove the infected part of the nail to stop the bacteria from spreading.
If your dog has more than one symptom, your vet may need to treat the infection by performing a biopsy. This will remove a piece of the affected area. This will help your vet to identify the bacteria and plan the best way to treat your dog’s infection.
5. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial infection that your dog can get. It is caused by a particular type of bacteria called Mycoplasma. It can affect dogs of all breeds. It is often difficult for your dog to show that they have chlamydia, because the symptoms may not seem severe enough to warrant any real concern. A lot of dogs will often not even notice that they have the infection.
Some of the signs and symptoms of chlamydia can include; swollen glands, neck, and ears, fever, increased appetite, and a discharge from the nose or eyes. Your dog’s skin can also get swollen, and it may have sores or ulcers on its skin. If your dog has any of these symptoms, it should be taken to your vet. It is possible for chlamydia to cause your dog to suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis.
6. Vomiting and Diarrhoea
If your dog is ill, there are many things that they will want to do to get better. One of these things is to vomit. This will help them to get rid of any fluids that they have swallowed, which could make them dehydrated.
If your dog has been sick for a while, then you will need to make sure that they drink lots of water. While there are many different vitamins that your dog can take, it is often best to stick to a regular diet. There are certain foods that can make it easier for them to vomit, but it is better to just stick to their normal food.
If you feel your dog is still ill after this, then it should be taken to the vet.
7. Bloat
Bloat is a medical emergency. It happens when the stomach contents can get stuck in the area between the small and large intestines. This can make your dog feel sick and can make them feel as though they are dying. The cause of bloat is often unknown. Bloat may be caused by overeating, eating something that contains a poisonous substance, or consuming alcohol.
Your dog’s symptoms will usually include Constant vomiting, a bulge in the abdomen, and a “high” or “tension” in the dog’s body. If your dog is vomiting or straining to go to the toilet for a long period of time, it could have stomach upset. If your dog vomits any bright yellow-colored liquid, or if you notice a lot of gas in its stomach, it should be taken to the vet immediately.
8. Brain Aneurysm
Brain Aneurysm is the most serious type of illness that your dog can get. It happens when a blood vessel in your dog’s brain bursts. This is extremely dangerous because it can be fatal. Many dogs will be able to recover after a brain aneurysm, but it is extremely rare that they will have a long and happy life after this.
9. Tumour
Your dog can also suffer from tumors in the head. This is sometimes a sign of a brain tumor. It may be present without showing any symptoms. In other cases, the tumor can be fairly large. The size of the tumor can also cause a number of symptoms in your dog, including abnormal wobbling when the dog walks, neck stiffness, changes in the balance of the body, depression, and difficulty eating. The tumor can also cause increased pain in your dog.
10. Lymphoma
A dog can also suffer from lymphoma. This is a type of cancer that can affect the lymph nodes in your dog’s neck and chest. Lymphoma is quite rare in dogs. However, it does happen occasionally. It is most common in dogs between one and ten years old.
Your dog’s symptoms will usually include a swollen lump in? the chest or neck, a lack of appetite, and a cough. This is a good time to visit your vet for a check-up. Although there is no cure for lymphoma, a combination of treatments can help your dog to live a long and healthy life. The most commonly used treatment for lymphoma is chemotherapy. Other treatments that can help include radiotherapy and surgery.
Conclusion
If you feel any symptoms in your dogs please call immediately your near Emergency Vets center. I hope all these things will help you identify diseases in your dog.
