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The best way to identify an emergency is to know what is normal for your pet and to be prepared to recognize an
emergency. Animals compensate very well which means by the time your pet begins showing signs of sickness, they
may already be in an advanced stage of disease.
Know What Is Normal
Learn normal temperature, pulse rate, breathing rate and patterns, gum color, and urination and defecation patterns.
Learn how to take your pet's temperature and how to check pulse rate and breathing rate in your pet. Speak with your
pet's veterinarian to learn how to monitor these vital signs and find out what is average for your pet.
Be Prepared
Some pets may lash out if they are painful or scared. Observe your pet's expressions, postures and vocalizations.
Always approach slowly and cautiously and speak in a soft soothing voice. Learn how to safely capture and restrain
your pet for safe transport. Have local veterinary emergency hospitals and poison control phone numbers easily
accessible.
Emergency Conditions
- Birthing problems
- Bleeding - prolonged or severe
- Breathing difficulty
- Burns
- Changes in body temperature outside the normal range
- Collapse or inability/reluctance to move
- Cuts or wounds that expose internal tissue
- Depression – severe, may be hiding, unresponsive, refusing to eat
- Diarrhea – profuse, large amounts of blood, black coloration
- Electrocution
- Enlarged painful abdomen
- Inappetance – especially in small mammals (rabbits, ferrets) and birds. Any exotic pet that is not eating and acting lethargic for more than 4-6 hours should be seen by a veterinarian
- Poisoning
- Seizures
- Shock- very high or low heart rate, high or low body temperature, blue/pale pink mucous membranes, breathing problems, dull
- Straining to urinate without producing urine
- Straining to defecate
- Trauma – hit by a car, falling from heights, any animal bites, drowning
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting/retching or gagging – profuse, or non-productive
If you notice any of these problems or if you feel something just isn't right with your pet, contact you veterinarian or local emergency
hospital immediately.
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital is a 24-hour emergency, critical care and specialty hospital with the following locations:
RBVH Tinton Falls: 732-747-3636
RBVH Cherry Hill: 856-429-4394
RBVH Hillsborough: 908-359-3161
RBVH Linwood: 609-926-5300
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