For pet owners, it can be extremely scary and traumatic to realize that your furry friend is sick or injured, and needs immediate care. Like people, pets are susceptible to many illnesses and injuries that may require immediate care. A local Bellevue, WA vet offers some advice on emergency care in this article.

Be Prepared

Here at Cat & Dog Clinic of Bellevue, we offer urgent care. However, urgent care and emergency care aren’t always the same thing. Some pets may need to be seen quickly, but can wait until a clinic opens. However, serious injuries or issues would require immediate attention. If something happens after hours, you may need to locate the nearest 24/7 clinic and take your pet there. Find out what the nearest ones to you are, and store their addresses and numbers on your phone ahead of time.

First Aid

You may need to perform some first aid yourself before your pet can be safely transported. Have a good first-aid kit ready. You can buy ones made specifically for dogs or cats, or get one for people and then add some pet-specific items. We’d also recommend downloading a pet first-aid app. The American Red Cross has a good one.

Bring Information

Be ready to provide as much information as you can about your furry friend and any medical conditions they have. This can make a huge difference. For instance, in case of poison ingestion, being able to identify the exact product a pet ingested can be a game-changer. (Tip: store your pet’s medical records on your phone or in the cloud for easy access.)

Call Ahead

Minutes and even seconds matter in emergency situations. Call the clinic right away, and let them know you’re coming. That heads up may give them time to prepare necessary equipment or resources before you arrive. 

Don’t Wait

Pets can’t tell us if something is wrong, and they can’t let us know if they are feeling better or worse. If your four-legged buddy is showing signs that something is seriously amiss, don’t wait to see if it resolves: seek immediate care. Some of the red flags to watch for include refusing food and/or water, fever, vomiting, discolored gums, diarrhea, trembling, seizures, stumbling, fever, and bloody waste or urine. Any visible wounds or cuts also require immediate attention.

Please feel free to contact us with questions about your pet’s health or care. As your Bellevue, WA pet hospital, we are here to help!