Labrador dog being checked over by vets

It’s easy to panic when our pets are suddenly injured or ill but the best thing to do is to keep calm and seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Getting your pet to a veterinary surgery which has all the necessary equipment to deal with emergency situations gives your pet a better chance of survival than calling the vet out to your home or to the scene of the accident.

If it's an out of hours emergency, or if you’re away from your usual vet practice it’s always a good idea to phone the hospital or clinic before you get there so you know the veterinary staff are expecting you and they can be prepared to treat your pet straight away.

How to Handle an Injured or Ill Pet

Animals that are in pain can be unpredictable – if they can walk, they may run away and hide. If you have a travelling box or crate, place your pet in this to take to the vet practice. If they have been involved in an accident, try not to move them too much just in case they’ve suffered a spinal injury.

A blanket held taut or wooden board can be used as a makeshift stretcher. Gently place your pet in the back of the car and take them to an emergency hospital.

Common Cat and Dog Emergencies

Bloat in Dogs

Large breed dogs with a deep chest, can suffer from bloat (gastric dilation). Gas builds up in the stomach and can lead to GDV (gastric dilation and volvulus) when the stomach twists. This can be life-threatening and urgent treatment will be needed.

Burns/Scalds

Damage from burns and scalds can be treated initially by soaking in cool, clean water. Don't treat with any ointments. Take your dog or cat to the vet as soon as possible as they may need pain relief and intravenous fluids.

Eye Injuries

Any injuries to the eye are considered an emergency. If you think your pet has a problem with their eyes, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Road Accidents

If a dog or cat has been involved in a traffic accident, approach them slowly to avoid scaring them even further. Gently move them to a safe place (remember your own safety too if it’s a busy road). They may have suffered broken bones and/or internal injuries so may need urgent veterinary care.

Poisoning

Sudden vomiting and diarrhoea may be caused by your pet eating something poisonous. If you know what they’ve eaten, let your vet know or take the plant, food or packet to the surgery. If unknown, scrape a small sample of the vomit or diarrhoea into a jar to take to the vet. If the source of the poison can be identified, your vet can decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

Wounds

While small wounds are not considered an emergency, large wounds and wounds where foreign objects are involved may need emergency treatment. Removal of any foreign objects such as sticks, or glass should be left for the vet to deal with. Removing these can cause further damage and pain to your pet.

Common Rabbit Emergencies

Small grey rabbit being checked by a vet

Diarrhoea

Normal rabbit pellets can be soft and even runny sometimes. This is normal and isn’t an emergency. Rabbits with severe diarrhoea that’s very liquid and watery, that are also showing signs of pain (hunched-up, eyes closed, teeth grinding) or aren’t interest in their food or what’s going on around them, should be taken to the vet immediately.

Fractures

If rabbits aren’t handled properly, are dropped or fall from a height can end up with fractures. Signs of a fracture include obvious leg breaks where the bone may have come through the skin. Or less obvious signs like difficulty walking or lameness. Call your vet immediately if you think your rabbit may have a fracture.

Fly Strike

This is where flies lay their eggs on the fur or skin of the rabbit. The eggs then hatch and the maggots burrow into and eat the rabbit’s flesh. It’s essential to check your rabbit over regularly to keep an eye out for early signs of a problem. A rabbit with fly strike must be seen by a vet immediately.

Gastric Stasis

Rabbits can’t go for very long without food in their digestive system. If your rabbit stops eating or is eating less than normal, their gastrointestinal tract will go into stasis. This is where it slows down or stops altogether.

Gastric stasis can be fatal in just a few hours. If you think your rabbit might have gastric stasis, call your vet straight away.

Wounds

Wounds can be caused by fighting with another bunny or from an attack by another animal like a dog. Bleeding wounds should be treated straight away by applying direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or gauze dressing. 

Contact your vet for an emergency appointment so you can get your bunny checked out. They may need stitches or may have other internal injuries that you can’t see. Your rabbit may also be suffering from shock which can be fatal.

How to Find Emergency Vets

Accidents and emergencies can happen any time, and the time you may need care for your pet could be the middle of the night. For times when your vet practice is closed, you need to know your dedicated out of hours pet emergency service. Your regular vet practice can recommend and out of hours service for you, or you can search for one online.

When it comes to emergencies, remember to keep calm - panicking can take up valuable time and may frighten your pet even more. Animals that are in pain may want to run away and hide and they’re also likely to become aggressive so take care when handling them. Don’t delay taking your pet to the emergency clinic so your pet will have the best chance of making a good recovery.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis, Felis and Lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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