Animal Urgent Care

Emergency Information

Below you will find a list of common ailments which the Animal Urgent Care Hospital will regularly see. The information in this list is to be taken at face value. It is not a diagnosis nor cure to your animal's condition. When in doubt, call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at
(760) 738 -9600.

Anaphylactic Reactions

Dogs and cats can be mildly to severely allergic to stings from bees, wasps and other stinging insects, vaccines, or medications. There are 3 types of reactions that can occur. [View Images]

Mild: Minimal swelling or pain at the sting/ injection site. May or may not require treatment. Monitoring for worsening of the reaction is strongly advised.
Moderate: Swelling at the site and then development of hives and/or swelling around the eyes or face. Hives may be easiest seen on the tummy area or groin area (cats rarely develop hives but will act itchy and can have difficulty breathing). These reactions usually result in the animal rubbing and itching excessively. The earflaps will often become red and thickened. The reaction may occur immediately after the sting, or be delayed minutes to hours. Your veterinarian best treats these kinds of reactions with injections.
Severe: Following the inciting agent the pet vomits, has diarrhea, and has difficulty breathing or collapses. NOTE-Giving oral antihistamines in the acute, severe reactions is usually ineffective and can be dangerous. These animals need to be transported to a veterinarian immediately. If not treated the vomiting and diarrhea can become bloody and result in a very severe life threatening condition. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600.

Bite Wounds

Wounds that result from on animal biting another can be very serious due to infections and damage that occurs under the skin. It is often difficult to determine the amount of damage done to the tissues under the skin and an examination by a veterinarian is advised. If your animal receives a bite wound, clean the area well with water and a gentle soap. Most wounds will become infected and require antibiotic treatment. It is best to have the wound looked at promptly to get treatment before infection begins. If there is a large wound with underlying tissue exposed do not put anything on the area and take the animal to a veterinarian immediately. If you are not sure, please call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600. [View Images]

Bleeding

Prolonged continual bleeding from a cut or puncture wound may mean that a major artery or vein has been damaged. Calm the animal and apply pressure to the area. Bandaging can be dangerous to an animal's circulation if not done correctly. It is okay to bandage an area of bleeding temporarily but if the bleeding doesn't stop and a bandage is left in place it can result in the swelling of paws or legs causing more damage. Excessive bruising can also be a sign of bleeding. Bandages placed at home should not stay in place more than 1 hour. Excessive bleeding may mean that the animal is suffering from some other medical condition or poisoning. Bleeding from the nose or mouth, blood in the urine, stool, or vomit suggests a serious condition and the animal should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600.

Bloat or Volvulus

This is a very serious life threatening condition that most commonly occurs in large breed dogs, but can occur in any dog and even in the cat. If there is any suspicion that your pet is suffering from bloating of the stomach, immediate evaluation and treatment needs to be started. Indications that your pet may be bloated and/or has a twisted stomach include:

Abdominal distention
Retching or trying to vomit, but all that comes up is foamy material
Rapid heart rate
Pale gums
Unable to get comfortable or lay down
Panting

Treatment usually requires aggressive medical stabilization with intravenous fluids, followed by surgery to reposition the stomach. The sooner the pet goes to surgery the better the outcome. Left twisted the stomach lining will die from shock and a rupture of the stomach If you have any suspicion that your pet may be bloated, take you pet to a veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at 760-738-9600 immediately.

Breathing Problems

A veterinarian should evaluate any animal that is experiencing any kind of breathing problems. There are a variety of conditions that can cause difficulty breathing. The sooner the animal is evaluated the better its chances of recovery. Signs that there may be a breathing problem include:

Increased effort of breathing
More rapid breathing than normal when at rest
Open mouth breathing at rest
Pale or bluish gums or tongue color
Reluctance to sit or lay down
Inappetence
Exercise intolerance

Transport to your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately - (760) 738-9600.

Burns

Heat/Thermal Burns: Luckily burns are rare but if you think your animal has been burned take the animal to the veterinarian immediately. Damage from burns sometimes does not show up right away so it is best to have the pet checked for possible burns immediately.
Electrical Burns: These can occur when an animal bites into an electric cord- THESE CAN BE VERY SERIOUS AND REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. These animals can develop fluid in the lungs causing breathing difficulties. This is often a life- threatening emergency and requires medical treatment.
Chemical Burns: Wash the area with copious amounts of cool water. Check the skin for any signs of redness, irritation or discoloration. Note the name of the chemical involved in the burn, and contact a veterinarian for advice immediately. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738 -9600. [View Images]

Cactus or Porcupine Quills

These are painful almost always require sedation or anesthesia to be removed. Take animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600. [View Images]

Choking

It is rare for animals to choke. Animals that are choking are usually very anxious because they are having difficulty breathing. Be careful in trying to look in the mouth or extract any foreign objects because the animal may bite, even if normally they do not bite. If choking is due to a foreign object, check the gums and tongue color. If they are pale or blue the animal is not getting enough air and must be seen immediately if you can't dislodge the object. You can try to perform a mini-Heimlich maneuver by pressing quickly around the chest to force an object out of the upper throat area. Transport your pet to a veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately - (760) 738-9600.

Coughing

Coughing can be a sign of disease of the lungs or heart. Causes of coughing include kennel cough (a viral and bacterial infection), fluid in the lungs from heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, or something stuck in the throat. Prolonged episodes of coughing can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is rarely a life-threatening emergency. Diarrhea becomes an emergency if it has become profuse, bloody, or if the animal is having other problems including vomiting or is acting lethargic (tired or depressed). If your pet has had diarrhea that has suddenly become worse, a veterinarian should evaluate him or her. Young puppies/kittens and older debilitated animals can succumb to serious problems from diarrhea. A veterinarian should evaluate them as soon as possible. Offering a bland diet for 1 to 2 meals can treat occasional diarrhea. If the diarrhea becomes more frequent or is bloody, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian. In young dogs that have not had their vaccines, more serious viral diseases can be responsible for the diarrhea. Parvovirus can cause very bloody diarrhea and vomiting and result in death if the animal is not treated appropriately. Any dog that develops diarrhea seems depressed and won't eat should be seen by a veterinarian. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600. [View Images]

Eye Injuries

A veterinarian should evaluate any injury to the eye as soon as possible. Eye injuries can quickly progress to severe conditions that cause pain and potentially blindness in your pet. Some signs that your pet may have an eye injury or other condition affecting his/her sight include: [View Images]

Squinting
Excessive tearing
Uneven size of pupils
Pupils seem larger than normal
Pawing at the eye
Redness of the eye
Cloudiness of the cornea
Bulging of the eyeball

Fleas

Fleas are usually not an emergency unless your pet has become anemic from flea infestation. Signs of anemia are weakness and pale gums. We recommend you obtain flea products through your veterinarian since some products available over the counter can cause poisoning in cats and dogs. Do not ever put flea control products labeled for dogs on your cat. Always check with your veterinarian before placing an unfamiliar flea control product on your cat, as some cats can have life threatening reactions to them. Call your veterinarian for further information.

Foxtails

These commonly become lodged in the ears, nose, eyes, skin, throat, prepuce, and between the toes. Depending upon where the foxtail is lodged will govern if the animal requires sedation or an anesthetic to remove it. Foxtails that are not removed can migrate and result in serious pain and infection. Call for information if you think your animal may have a foxtail embedded somewhere. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at
(760) 738-9600. [View Images]

Fractures

Broken bones are common in dogs and cats. They can result from motor vehicle accidents, fights, or other events. Animals can be painful and bite if you try to move or manipulate a fractured bone. Be careful and muzzle an animal or use large towels to cover the head to move the pet. The recommended repair of a fracture depends on the severity of the fracture and the location. A veterinarian should evaluate all animals with a suspected fracture. Motor vehicle accidents may result in other injuries besides just fractures. All animals that have been hit by a car should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to set a fracture- support the limb as necessary for transport to the veterinarian. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at (760) 738-9600.

Heat Stroke

This can be a very serious condition that occurs in dogs that become overheated after exercise in hot weather, are left outside in hot weather without shade, or if they are left in a car. Some of these dogs may have some other medical condition that predisposes them to heat stroke. A dog that becomes overheated needs to be treated quickly and aggressively by a veterinarian. A dog's normal temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees. If you can take your dog's temperature and it is 105 degrees F or greater, then it is at risk for developing heat stroke. Dog breeds with short noses (pugs, bulldogs, boxer, etc) are particularly susceptible to overheating. Signs that your dog may be over heated include:

Excessive panting even after resting
Drooling
Bright red injected gums
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloody urine
Collapse

Just cooling the dog with water is not an adequate treatment. If not treated quickly and aggressively these dogs can develop acute kidney failure and die. Transport to veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately - (760) 738-9600.

Labor in Cats

Provide a box with bedding in a quiet place for the delivery a week before the kittens are due. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian about the 45th day of pregnancy for a physical exam and possible x rays or deworming.

Pregnancy lasts for 56 to 69 days from the time of a fertile mating. The temperature drops to less than 99 degrees farenheight 12 to 36 hours before the kittens are born.

Stage 1 Labor: Lasts for 2 to 24 hours. Signs include restlessness, grooming, pacing, panting, vomiting, crying, poor appetite, hiding, and nesting with loud purring. The cervix is dilating during this stage.
Stage 2 Labor: Usually lasts for 2 to 6 hours, and can rarely last for several days. The queen may cry loudly during this stage. If the queen pushes hard for more than 30 minutes, or if a kitten is stuck partway out, then the queen should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Call your regular veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at 760-738-9600.

Stage 3 Labor: Passage of the placenta. Generally occurs after each kitten is born.

It is recommended that a queen and kittens be checked by your veterinarian after the kittens have been delivered.

Labor in Dogs

Labor in Dogs: Pregnancy normally lasts from 56 to 64 days from the first day of breeding. A visit to the regular vet is recommended at day 45 to have x-rays done to estimate how many puppies are there, for a deworming, and general physical exam. It is a good idea to buy a book on whelping so you know what to expect and what you need to do. Pregnant dogs should not be supplemented with calcium during the pregnancy. Talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements during pregnancy. A whelping box should be provided 1 to 2 weeks before the due date. The body temperature drops below 100 degrees F 10 to 24 hours before the pups are born. There are three stages of labor. [View Images]

Stage 1: Lasts 6 to 24 hours. The bitch may appear restless & nervous, may pant, refuse food, vomit, pace, hide, and tear up bedding. The cervix is dilating at this time.
Stage 2: Lasts 3 to 36 hours. Contractions are visible, and the bitch usually squats or lies on her side. It can take from 3 to 36 hours for the entire litter to be born. Usually the first puppy is born within 10 to 30 minutes of initiation of straining and pushing.

If the bitch strains for more than 2 hours without a puppy being born, or more than 4 hours passes between puppies, or if she is painful or weak, call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at 760-738-9600.

Stage 3: The placentas are passed after the birth of each pup. It is normal for the bitch to eat the placentas but it is not necessary and can sometimes make them sick.

Lacerations

Lacerations can be of any size or shape and repair will depend not only on the laceration but also on any muscle or tissue that is involved under or around the laceration. The sooner a laceration is repaired, the better and faster it will heal. On occasion, a laceration will not require stitches but it is best to be evaluated by a veterinarian to make that decision. Animals are rarely cooperative enough for just using local anesthetics for placing sutures. Sedation and or anesthesia are often required for adequate cleaning and suturing. Call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately at (760) 738-9600.

Parasites (Worms)

Worms, or intestinal parasites are unpleasant, but usually do not require an emergency visit. All puppies and kittens are born with roundworms and therefore should be wormed as part of their general health care. Your regular veterinarian will provide this service when your puppy or kitten receives its vaccinations. If you actually see a worm, save it and bring it along with a stool sample to your veterinarian. Do not medicate your pet with dewormer from the pet store since each type of worm requires a different type of medication. Also, many over-the-counter dewormers can make pet sick. Prescription medications your vet should kill the worms, but will not make your pet ill. Call your veterinarian for further information. Tapeworms are spread from fleas, so good flea control is also a part of treating your pet for tapeworms.

Poisoning

This section provides a limited amount of information on both outdoor and household poisoning.

Outdoor/Garden Poisoning: The most common outdoor or garden poisonings that we encounter in Southern California include fertilizers, rat/mouse pellets, snail/slug bait, and gopher/squirrel bait. Some of these products are mixed into garden fertilizers and can cause poisoning from the animal eating the fertilized ground. [View Images]

Rodenticide (rat/mouse) poisons: These poisons cause the dog or cat to bleed internally. The pet usually consumed the poison in the past 3-5 days. Until the bleeding starts there will usually not be any signs that the pet has eaten the poison. Signs that show when a dog or cat has ingested rat poison include: lethargy, weakness, rapid or labored breathing, moist cough, bleeding from the nose or mouth, bloody urine, bloody stool or vomit, stiffness or lameness. Rat bait is sweet and dogs will eat it over and over again. Cats are usually poisoned because they have eaten a mouse or rat that has eaten the poison. A veterinarian should evaluate any animal with the above signs.
Other types of rodenticides work by causing swelling of the brain. If you think that your pet may have eaten rat/mouse poison, bring your pet and, if possible the packaging or note the active ingredient in the poison, to a veterinarian immediately. Waiting to see if your pet will become ill or not is not a good idea, since the best chance of effective treatment is before the symptoms occur.
Metaldehyde/Organophosphates (snail bait) poisons: This poison causes tremors, muscle stiffness, drooling, urination, and defecation. In large doses the dog will progress to convulsions. These dogs need to be treated quickly and aggressively and should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Treatment may include pumping the stomach, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and intravenous fluids.
Strychnine (gopher/squirrel) poisons: This is the most potent and fast acting poison that causes severe convulsions. The seizures from strychnine poison can be so severe that the animal stops breathing. The animals are very sensitive to noise and any loud noise can cause a convulsion. These animals need to be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment includes anesthesia, pumping the stomach, controlling body temperature, IV fluids, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants. These animals may require several days in the hospital.

With any exposure to a poison the pet should be evaluated by your veterinarian, bring the poison with you to the vet.

Household Poisonings: Many drugs or medication that are commonly found in our houses can be toxic to animals. Medications that have been prescribed to you or a family member can also be toxic in animals. Keep all medications away from your pets. Puppies can be especially bad about getting into things they shouldn't. Before giving any medication to your pet call your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care for advice (760-738-9600).

Tylenol Poisoning: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is very toxic to cats and should never be given. One tablet of extra-strength Tylenol can kill a cat.
Ibuprofen: Various forms of this medication are available over the counter (Motrin, Advil). It is toxic in cats at very low doses and also toxic in dogs. It causes stomach ulcers, bleeding, kidney and/or liver failure. Never give your pet medications without first consulting your veterinarian.
Asthma inhalers: Puppies have been known to bite into the inhaler and receive a full dose of the asthma medication. This can have serious effects on the heart.
Trash or Garbage Toxicity: Mold that grows on spoiled food or in compost can be toxic and cause convulsion and seizures. DO NOT feed your pet something that you would not eat, i.e. old leftovers.
Chocolate: Dark chocolate or baker's chocolate can be toxic in dogs. Active ingredients can affect the heart and cause abnormal heart rhythms. Milk chocolate is rarely a problem unless the dog eats a lot of it. It is best to take your dog to the vet to induce vomiting if there is a suspicion he/she ate chocolate.

Rattlesnake Envenomations

Bites from rattlesnakes can range from severe envenomation causing death to mild bites that require minimal treatment. Bites from young snakes are often worse because of the amount of venom that is injected. Bites to the feet, legs or along the chest wall also tend to be more severe than bites to the face. A smaller dog or cat that gets bitten may be much more affected by the bite than a large dog. Any pet that is bitten by a rattlesnake should be evaluated for treatment. Rattlesnake venom can cause local skin death as well as internal bleeding, breathing problems and kidney failure. If antivenin is required, the sooner it is given the more effective it is in stopping the progression of the snake venom. All pets that are suspected or known to have been bitten by a rattlesnake should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. This includes pets that have received the rattlesnake vaccine. Signs that you pet has been by a rattlesnake include: [View Images]

Swelling and pain around the bite puncture wounds.
Bruising of the skin and surrounding area
Lethargy depression
Oozing puncture wounds
Drooling
Difficulty breathing
Weakness and collapse
Stiffness and paralysis

Trauma

Animals often sustain various kinds of trauma from being bitten by other animals, to falls, or being hit by a motor vehicle. A veterinarian should evaluate animals that have been injured or traumatized. Care must be taken to move an injured animal to prevent further injury as well as protect you from being bitten or scratched. First approach injured animals slowly especially if they are not your pet. Look for the animal to be breathing. For injured cats, place a laundry basket over the animal and use a large towel to scoop it into the basket. Be very careful as an injured cat will scratch or bite. In dogs that are very painful and may bite, use a belt or leash to tie the mouth shut and move the animal onto a towel or board for transport to a veterinarian. If you find an injured pet, but do not know who the owner is, contact your local animal control or humane society to have the pet picked up and transported if possible. DO NOT TRY TO SET LEGS OR FRACTURES. Traumatic wounds can result in some heart and lung problems that may not develop for a few hours after the trauma. If your pet has suffered a traumatic event, transport to veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately - (760) 738-9600. [View Images]

Urinary Tract Blockage

Blockage of the urinary tract is most commonly seen in adult male cats. It is also seen in male dogs, and less frequently in female dogs and cats. Causes include bladder stones, bladder sand/crystals, swelling or inflammation of the urinary tract, or cancer. Signs of a urinary tract blockage include straining to urinate with nothing coming out, small drops of bloody urine, crying during urination, or getting in and out of the litter box frequently. Sometimes, the only sign may be vomiting or acting sick and lethargic. If your cat doesn't have a litter box and goes outside only, you may just notice that he isn't feeling well. Obstruction of the outflow of urine can be a life-threatening emergency. If left untreated the urinary blockage will result in a build-up of toxins in the blood that can cause death to the animal.If you think your pet has a blockage of the urinary tract, please bring him to your veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care as soon as possible. [View Images]

Vomiting

Protracted repeated vomiting can result in severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and low blood sugar levels. When your pet has been vomiting first take all food and water away from the pet for 3 hours. If vomiting stops try offering a small amount of water to your pet. If there is no vomiting of the water then offer a small amount of bland food.If vomiting continues, your pet seems weak or depressed, or you see blood in the vomit call your regular veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care at 760-738-9600 for instructions.

Common Ailments