PVC - Emergency

All three clinics offer emergency services. When you call during regular business hours you will talk to a receptionist who will assist you and give you directions. If you have an after-hours emergency, a recording will inform you of an emergency number for you to dial as well as the after-hour emergency call charges. When you dial the emergency number, it will connect you with the “on call’ veterinarian. Be sure to have pen and paper ready to take down phone numbers and instructions that the veterinarian may give you. You may be asked to drive to one of our other locations if the situation warrants it.

Animal Care Facility of Livonia
6760 Richmond Mills Rd
Livonia, NY 14487
585-346-2140

Emergencies occur suddenly and without warning. It is important for all pet owners to have a basic understanding of common veterinary medical emergencies and basic first aid for their pet.

Some emergencies are obvious. A dog runs across the road and is hit by a car. Others may be just as serious - but not as obvious. A German Shepherd appears restless after a large meal and tries to vomit. Unknown to the owner, this is the beginning of Gastric Dilatation- Volvulus (GDV), one of the most serious medical emergencies in large breeds.

While no one can be prepared for all emergencies, there are some simple guidelines and clinical signs that all pet owners can follow and look for to help their pet loved ones. Who knows, it just may save your pet's life!

Listed below is a list of common emergency situations with a brief description of their clinical signs. This list is not intended to be comprehensive but should serve as a guide. In any emergency or illness, be sure and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for more specific recommendations and assistance.

Anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction and is often recognized by sudden collapse and svere breathing difficulties. There are many causes for anaphylaxis that vary from insect stings, contact allergies to injection reactions. You should seek veterinary care immediately if you think your pet may be experiencing anaphylaxis.

There is a lot of bleeding
They involve the head (particularly eyes, ears, nose or throat)
They have penetrated internal organs or the abdomen (stomach or groin)

Bleeding. When is bleeding an emergency? When is it severe? Blood pumping out or dripping so fast that it is making a pool on the floor or blood soaking through a normal bandage within a very few mintues is cause for alarm. These are examples of severe hemorrhage. Ears, nose, feet and even torn nails can bleed severely and need veterinary attention to stop the loss of blood as quickly as possible.

Burns and scalds. Unless you witness these injuries, they are not frequently apparent until some time later when scabs or loss of hair or skin are noted. This is because the initial injuries are masked by the hair coat. If you see your pet burned or scalded, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea. Repeated or continuous vomiting and/or diarrhea, with or without blood, could be a sign of poisoning, obstruction or acute gastrointestinal infection.

Dehydration is a major concern, especially in small dogs. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible before forcing fluid or administering human medication. You may inadvertently give something that worsens your pet's condition.

Convulsions or seizures. A convulsion or seizure is a series of violent, uncontrolled spasms. Seizures lasting for more than three to five minutes or accompanied by loss of bowels or urination are considered serious and medical attention should be sought immediately.

Eclampsia. Eclampsia is also known as hypocalcemia, milk fever, or puerperal tetany. It is a condition that not only affects nursing mothers but may also occur during late pregnancy. Signs are vague and include restlessness, panting, increased salivation and stiffness when moving. This can soon progress to muscle twitching and spasms, pyrexia (high fever) and death. Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned that your pet is developing eclampsia.

Hemorrhagic gastroentertis. This condition is characterized by bloddy diarrhea and/or vomiting. There are many causes of hemorrhagic enteritis ranging from a change in diet to stress to intestinal obstruction. Contact your veterinarian if you observe blood in the stool, if the vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond 6-12 hours or if your pet becomes less responsive or weak.

Heart failure. Also called heart attack, cardiac failure, and cardiac insufficiency. How do you recognize if your pet is experiencing heart failure?

As dogs age, they may suffer from a condition called congestive heart failure (CHF) which may affect either the left, right or both sides of the heart. The condition is often undiagnosed until collapse occure. Other signs of this condition include coughing, difficulty breathing, bluish discoloration of the tongue (and other mucous membranes), decreased stamina and exercise intolerance.

A "heart attact" - or when the dog collapses - is often preceded by exercise or excitement. The inefficient heart is unable to pump blood fast enough and there is a severe lack of oxygen to the muscles and brain, which results in sudden collapse.

Heat Stroke. This can happen at any time in warm, humid weather. Most frequently it is the result of dogs left in cars in hot weather with too little ventilation. The signs are excessive panting, lethargy and distress. Unconsciousness can quickly follow.

Injuries. When do injuries become an emergency? This will be determined by the type and extent of wounds and may be difficult to tell without medical tests. Any penetrating wound to the chest or abdomen and virtually any injury involving the eye should be regarded as an emergency. Injuries to the head or causing difficulty breathing should also be treated as emergencies.

Poisoning. Poisoning of any sort will be regarded as an emergency. Your pet will most often lick, swallow or contact toxic materials without your knowledge. Clinical signs are variable; vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, skin damage dute to caustic substances, etc. Seek veterinary care as soon as possible to help reduce the spread and further damage of toxins to your pet.

If you see your dog ingest a posion substance, call your veterinarian or animal poison control center ($45) at 1-888-426-4435.

If you do not know what the poison was, (unmarked container or unreadable label) call your veterinarian and be ready to follow instructions.

Unconsciousness or collapse. This may occur with or without seizure activity. It often occurs without warning, e.g. sudden heart failure or following a blow on the head etc. Collapse should always be treated as a medical emergency.

Keep calm and try not to panic. By doing so, you will be able to answer any questions from your veterinarian and help your pet loved one.
Contact our veterinarian. Explain what has happened and follow the advice given.
Keep your dog warm and as quiet as possible.
Keep your pet as still as possible when moving to reduce the risk of further injury to limbs or spine.
Carry out any procedures (first aid) advised by your veterinarian.
Transport your dog safely to the veterinarian as directed.

There are many possible emergencies from automobile injury, to acute internal problems such as an intestinal blockage, but the following are the most serious and require immediate attention:

Any sever difficulty in breathing
Cardiac failure
Massive bleeding
Profound shock from any cause
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reations)
Penetrating wounds of the thorax (chest) or abdomen
Coma and loss of consciousness
Poisoning
Massive injuries to the body
Seizures
Burns and scalds
Heat stroke
Bites and fight wounds
Continuous vomiting and/or diarrhea

Keep calm.
Contact your veterinary hospital, inform them of the situation and get first aid advice.
Keep your cat warm, as quiet as possible, and keep movement to a minimum if there is possible trauma, broken limbs, etc.
For specific aid refer to the following table.
Obtain a suitable container such as a strong carboard box. Drop a blanket or thick towel over the patient. Tuck it in carefull or maneuver the cat onto the blanket so it can be gently placed in the cardboard box or directly into your car.
Get to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible, but drive carefully!

Automoblie injury. Make sure your cat has a clear airway, but do not put your hand in its mouth if your cat is conscious. Cover wounds with the material available. Handle your cat with care, supporting its body as much as possible. Carry it in a basket, box, or cage to the veterinary hospital.

Bleeding (hemorrhage). If hemorrhage is severe on a limb, apply a tourniquet above the wound just tight enough to significantly reduce flow of blood; it has to be loosened within 20 mintues. Apply a pad of cotton or wool over a gauze dressing to the wound or bleeding point and bandage if firmly and/or simply apply direct pressure.

Seizure. Prevent your cat from injuring itself. Do not put your hand in its mouth. Keep your cat as quiet as possible and prevent it from falling.

Burns. Cool the burned area with cool water by running water over it or cover it with wet towels. This also helps remove caustic substances (acid or alkaline) if these are the cause. If loss of skin occurs, cover the area with the cleanest material available.

Heat stroke. Place your cat in a tub of cool water. When you are ready to transport your cat to the veterinary hospital, wrap it in a cool, wet towel.

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (diarrhea with blood; with or without vomiting). Seek veterinary attention. This is a serious condition.

Poisons. Induce vomiting with 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of hydrogen peroxide orally or a teasppon of salt placed in mouth. Keep a sample of the vomitus fro test. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if your cat has ingested products (plastic, paper, etc.). If corrosive or toxic material is on the skin, rinse for 15 minutes. Bring a sample of the suspected poison with its container to the veterinary hospital.

Eye injury. If the cornea is penetrated or perforated it will be very painful. Prevent your cat from scratching at its eye causing further damage. If the eyeball is out of its socket, keep it moist with saline solution (e.g. contact lens solution) and protect it from direct injury. Seek veterinary help immediately.

Shock (see below). Keep your cat warm and quiet. Seek immediate veterinary help.

Shock has many definition. It is a complex body reaction to a number of situation. These include acute loss of blood volume such as hemorrhage, heart failure and other causes of decreased circulation (e.g. severe and sudden allergic reation and heat stroke.) If not treated quickly and effectively shock may cause irreversible injury to body cells, and it can be rapidly fatal.

Signs include rapid breathing which may be noisy, rapic heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possible even white) mucous membranes (for instance gums, lips, under eyelids) and sever depression (listlessness) and cool extremities (limbs and ears). The cat may vomit.