3 Common Types of
Emergency
Emergency Procedures
Toxin Exposure
Signs: Red eyes, whining, pawing at nose
Pets get into plenty of mischief thanks to primal
urges, drives and not-always-healthy doses of
curiosity. Here are three common conditions that
may require prompt veterinary care.
• Call veterinarian immediately.
• Follow instructions on packaging for rinsing/
decontamination.
• Keep product out of eyes, mouth and nose.
Poisoning
Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, gagging
• Call veterinarian or Animal Poison Control immediately.
• Identify name of the substance, the amount ingested and
how much time has passed.
• Have the product packaging available for reference.
• Collect any material your pet may have vomited or chewed
to bring to the vet.
1. Bowel Obstruction
Seizures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do not restrain the animal.
Speak to the animal in loud, but reassuring tones.
Time the seizure.
Keep pet warm and quiet after seizure is over.
Call veterinarian.
Pet Emergency Care
Are you aware and
prepared?
Intestinal obstruction is a potentially life-threatening
condition that requires prompt attention from a
veterinarian. Pet owners should recognize the
symptoms of a bowel obstruction:
Vomiting
• Straining to defecate
Diarrhea
• Lethargy
Abdominal tenderness/pain • Behavioral change
Lack of appetite
New Orleans' only pet ER with
a doctor around the clock.
Choking
Signs: Difficulty breathing, blue-tinged lips/tongue
• Use caution-a choking pet is more likely to bite.
• If the pet can still breathe, keep it calm and get it to a
veterinarian.
• Look inside the pet's mouth to see if an object is visible.
• If so, gently try to remove it - go to a vet.
• If you can't remove it or your pet collapses, lay him on his
side and strike rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand
3-4 times. Repeat until dislodged or you arrive at vet.
Heatstroke
Signs: Excessive panting, rapid heart rate, collapse
• Move the animal to a shaded area out of direct sunlight.
• Place a cool, wet towel around its neck and head.
Rewrapping every few minutes with a cool towel.
• Transport the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
2. Soft Tissue Trauma
Soft tissues include the skin, muscle, tendons and
ligaments. Trauma to these tissues can occur from car
collisions, animal fights, strains and other injuries.
3. Poison & Toxin Ingestion
In 2015, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
responded to more than 180,000 poison-exposure
cases. Humans can greatly reduce this type of
unnecessary harm by keeping items like human
medications, insecticides, cleaning products,
antifreeze, rat poison and xylitol (artificial sweetener)
away from pets.
Pytania Veterinary
Emergency Services
4907 Prytania St
New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504-899-2828
F x: 504-930-4545
Fa
prytaniavetemergency.com
email: info
f @prytaniavetemergency.com
fo
Signs Your Pet Needs
Immediate Care
Your pet may require emergency care due to trauma
from an accident or fall, for example, or other lifethreatening situations such as illness, choking,
heatstroke, an insect sting, or poisoning. These are
some signs that you should seek veterinary care
immediately:
Handling an Emergency
First and foremost, remain calm.
Approaching An Injured Pet
Injured animals are invariably scared, so approaching
them requires caution and common sense. Protect
yourself from being bitten or scratched.
• Move slowly, and talk quietly and calmly, as you
approach your pet.
• Wear protective gloves, if necessary.
• Change in body temperature
• Pale gums
• Keep your face away from your pet’s face.
• Rapid breathing
• Paralysis
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Seizures
• Difficulty standing/walking
• Disorientation
• Loss of consciousness
• Excessive bleeding
• If necessary, and if your pet isn’t vomiting, place a
muzzle to reduce the chance you’ll be bitten. Dogs can
be muzzled with towels, stockings, or gauze rolls. Cats
and other small animals may be wrapped in a towel to
restrain them; make sure the nose is uncovered so he or
she can breathe.
Ó
Be Prepared!
Add our Emergency Facility phone
number in your cell phone now.
504-899-2828
Y u can never be too
Yo
prepared fo
f r me!
Ò
Pre-register
The faster our ER Vets can see your pet,
the better. Pre-register now before there
is an emergency. Visit our website for
more details.
Contacting A Ve
V terinarian
If it’s during regular business hours, contact your
primary care veterinarian to determine if you should
bring your pet to his/her off
f ice, or if the situation
ff
warrants a visit to an animal emergency hospital. If it
is aft
f er regular off
ft
f ice hours, call your local animal
ff
emergency hospital to alert them that you’re bringing
your pet in so they can be ready fo
f r you when you arrive.
Ø First Aid Kits
You can purchase preassembled first aid kits
through pet supply stores, hunting/sporting goods
stores, and online resources. Keeping a first aid kit
at home and in the car is always a good idea since
accidents can happen on the road. Look for kits
with these supplies—or put together your own:
• 1” or 2” adhesive tape
• Ice pack
• 2” or 4” roll gauze and
• Latex gloves
gauze pads
• Muzzle
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Nylon leash
• Bandage scissors
• Petroleum
• Blanket
• Plastic wrap
• Bulb syringe
• E-collar
• Rectal thermometer
• Eye wash (saline solution)• Tick removal tool
Have on hand, in one convenient place, your pet’s
medication information (drug names and doses),
collar and tags, medical records and vaccination
history, microchip number, and a recent photo (in
case your pet gets lost).
T ansporting Safe
Tr
f ly To
fe
T
Appropriate Care
F r small animals, especially cats, keep them confined
Fo
in some sort of container during transport to reduce the
risk of further injury. Pet carriers work well, or you can
use a box, ensuring your pet has enough air.
r Fo
r.
F r larger
dogs, confining movement is equally important. Yo
Y u can
use a board, throw rug, blanket or something similar to
serve as a stretcher.
r Contact the emergency room to let
r.
them know you are coming so they may assist you when
you arrive.