AFTERHOURS EMERGENCY HOSPITAL PHONE 03 366 1052
How Do I Know if my Pet is Having a Medical Emergency?
If your pet is struggling to breathe or stand, or has been in an accident please phone us immediately.
Other common emergencies include major trauma and bleeding (hit by car, burns, accidents, dog fights, etc), ingestion of toxic/dangerous substances/objects, sudden/ongoing seizures, ataxia (falling over, unable to stand), sudden decline in neurological function or lethargy (unresponsive, unconsciousness), constant vomiting (or gagging/trying to vomit), straining/unable to urinate (especially in cats), allergic reactions or any other sudden changes, including accidents.
If your pet is experiencing any of these, please call us immediately while making your way to our clinic. If your pet experiences an emergency outside of our operating hours, head immediately to the After Hours Vet. If you are not sure if your pet is having an emergency, phone us at any time for advice. Our nurses are all trained in phone triage and can quickly assess how your pet is and advise on when they should be seen.
Common Emergency Surgeries
Common emergencies that require surgery in dogs and cats include
- GDVs: Gastric dilatation and volvulus is a life-threatening disorder most commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs, although any dog may be affected. In its early stage, the stomach fills with gas, causing a simple gastric dilatation or “bloat”. Sometimes, the condition progresses no further than a bloat. A GDV, however, is a progression of the bloat into a volvulus, in which the huge, gas-filled stomach twists upon itself so that both the entrance and exit of the stomach become blocked.
- Exploratory Laparotomy or ‘Ex-laps’: An open abdominal surgery is sometimes required when a cat or dog has eaten something that has become stuck, or ‘obstructed’ in their digestive system, or there is another abdominal concern that needs to be surgically removed or corrected.
- Blocked Bladders: Cats, especially male cats, become unwell extremely fast if they are unable to pee. This can be due to a number of reasons but usually requires emergency surgery urgently.
- Accidents: Dogs or cats that get into car accidents or fights sometimes require surgery to rapidly manage injuries or uncontrolled bleeding
- Caesareans: Like humans, cats and dogs sometimes need emergence caesareans if puppies or kittens become stuck in the birth canal, or the mother becomes exhausted or unable to continue active labour.
Our clinical team is prepared for these emergencies, among others, so please give us a call immediately if you have any concerns for your pet.
