When to Call An Emergency Vet in Kane & McHenry Counties
What Indicates Signs of an Emergency
When should you call an emergency vet? As a pet owner in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs, it can be difficult to know when your dog or cat is having a true medical emergency, but as a rule, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re worried, even if it’s the middle of the night, it’s always best to contact your nearest emergency vet. You can describe your pet’s signs and symptoms, and the veterinary staff will be able to offer you recommendations and whether or not you should bring your pet in.
Below are listed a few signs and symptoms that could indicate that your pet is having a medical emergency. Without quick treatment, these situations can be very serious and potentially fatal. While this list doesn’t include every emergency condition, it can give you a place to start. However, when in doubt, call your veterinarian or emergency vet in Kane or McHenry County, and keep in mind that the sooner a problem is treated, the less expensive it will be in the long run.
Signs of an Emergency
- Difficulty breathing. If your pet has noisy breathing, if you notice abdominal breathing, or if your pet is stretching his head and neck out trying to get a breath, or if your cat is open-mouth breathing, get to an ER as soon as possible. These signs may indicate respiratory distress and can lead to impending cardiac arrest.
- Constant panting. If your dog or cat is panting constantly, this may also indicate a respiratory emergency.
- If your pet experiences collapse, or where he can’t get up and is very weak, this can indicate an emergency.
- If your pet is acting very tired and lethargic, this is not normal and may warrant a visit to the ER.
- Constant coughing. If your pet is coughing, and can’t rest because of it, call the ER. Also, if your pet is coughing up pink, foamy liquid or blood, call the ER right away.
- A distended or bloated abdomen. If your pet, especially dogs, appear to have a distended abdomen, call the ER right away. This could indicate a GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) or fluid in the abdomen.
- Trying to vomit or non-productive retching. If your dog is trying to vomit and appears to have a distended abdomen, this could also indicate a GDV, where the stomach flips over on itself. This is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
- Anxiety, restlessness, can’t get comfortable. This may indicate a pain response or an underlying medical condition.
- High heart rate. The normal heart rate for small dogs is 100-140 beats per minute and for larger dogs is 60-100 beats per minute. For cats, the normal heart rate ranges between 140-220 beats per minute. If your pet is experiencing a high rate (> 160 BPM), this indicates an emergency, and may a result of cardiac issues. If you want to take your pet’s heart rate, place your index and middle finger along the femoral vein on the inside of your pet’s lower leg/thigh, just below the groin area. Count the beats for 15 seconds and then multiply by four.
- High respiratory rate. If your pet’s respiratory rate is > 60 breaths per minute at home while resting, this may indicate a respiratory emergency.
- Pale or abnormal gum color. Pale gums, purple gums, or bright red gums are abnormal.
- If your pet is in pain, and cries out in pain when moving, or cannot get comfortable, this warrants an ER visit.
- Jaundiced eyes or gums. Jaundice is a condition where excess bilirubin, formed when hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen) is broken down. If your pet has jaundice, this may be an indication of hepatitis, gallstones, and tumors.
- Obvious wounds, bleeding, swelling, or broken bones. These may be a result of trauma and injury and should be treated as soon as possible.
- Unable to move or walk or dragging of the back legs. These symptoms constitute a medical emergency. If you have a cat and it cannot move its back legs, call the ER immediately. This may signal a saddle thrombus, which is a blood clot that lodges at the base of the aorta. If not treated, this condition can be fatal.
- Bite wounds. If your pet has suffered bite wounds or was involved in a fight with another animal, he will need immediate medical attention, and possibly surgery.
- Seizures. If your pet is experiencing seizures (more than 2-3 minutes or having more than 2-3 seizures in 24 hours), this is indeed a medical emergency.
- Poisoning or toxin ingestion. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a poison or a toxin, call the emergency vet immediately. The ingestion of poisons and toxins can be potentially fatal if not treated as soon as possible.
- Chronic vomiting. This may indicate ingestion of a foreign body or a toxin.
- Abnormal rectal or vaginal discharge. If you notice an abnormal discharge that is red, pink, or odiferous, this may indicate an underlying condition or infection.
- High temperature. If your pet feels warmer than usual, or if his temperature is over 103, contact the emergency vet immediately.
- Low temperature. If your pet’s temperature is < 99, this is abnormal, and you should contact the ER as soon as possible.
- Straining to urinate. If your pet is trying to urinate, especially if you have a male cat, call the ER immediately. Male cats can present with a condition called a “blocked tom,” where the urethra is blocked with crystals, making it difficult for your cat to urinate. This is an emergency and can be fatal without immediate treatment. If your dog is unable to urinate, this also constitutes an emergency and requires immediate attention to prevent bladder rupture.
- Straining to defecate. This may indicate a blockage and may require immediate attention.
Make a Phone Call if You Think Your Pet is Experiencing an Emergency
You know your pet best, and if anything at all worries you, it’s best to contact our emergency vet in Kane and McHenry Counties. ER veterinary staff can help guide you and offer “phone triage” to get a better idea of your pet’s signs and symptoms. If you think that your pet has been poisoned, or has ingested a toxin, you can always call the non-profit ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and they can provide life-saving advice and let you know if you should take your pet to the ER or not. (There is a fee for the call, but this information can be of great help to the ER veterinarian).
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or contact your veterinarian at Dundee Animal Hospital at 847-428-6114 – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pet.