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Well, it isn’t easy when our fur babies fall ill. In Southwestern Ontario (particularly, London ON), there are no emergency services on weekends.
One usually has to go to Guelph and get a referral to do so. Our advice is to vet those who you meet and not all doctors are created equally. If they read your file and don’t understand, ask for someone else. Don’t worry about offending anyone. You don’t get a do-over for your loved pet.
Another thing is determining what can and can’t be done and where it can or can’t be done. For example, medical management vs. surgical options.
If surgery is the only option, insist on seeing your pup after surgery, and let us say this a thousand times, ensure that there is CPR and DNR sorted. You do not want someone who hasn’t read the file calling to sort out if, God forbids, your baby’s heart stops.
Stay nearby in a hotel or motel and be annoying re visits. You want your baby to feel your touch and smell you as that is the most comforting thing to know you are close and you love them.
DO pay attention to your pet
Check your pet from nose to tail regularly. Serious issues like loss of consciousness and seizures are clear signs that your pet needs medical attention, but here are some of the more subtle signs of a sick dog or cat:
- Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
- Imbalance or awkward gait
- Whining, hiding, growling, atypical aggression
- Trouble going to the bathroom
- Loss of appetite
- Pale gums
- Unusual lumps and bumps
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Or simply behaviour that is atypical
DO keep vet info handy
Keep your veterinarian’s contact information in your phone and on the fridge for easy access, along with the number of your nearest emergency vet clinic. Emergency vet clinics tend to operate either 24 hours a day or strictly outside normal clinic hours.
DO try to comfort your pet
You know them best. Show them as much love as possible. If possible, have a friend drive you to the vet or emergency vet clinic so that you can hold and comfort your scared dog.
DO learn dog first aid
Get a first-aid kit and sign up for techniques that may save their lives.
DON’T overlook the signs of sickness
One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make is ignoring the symptoms of potentially dangerous conditions. Diarrhea and vomiting may be caused by something minor, but can also indicate serious physical trauma or gastrointestinal issues. Stomach bloat, characterized by an unusually hard abdomen, is one of the most commonly overlooked signs of distress that can become fatal. Gallbladder issues are sneaky this way too.
DON’T play veterinarian
While giving basic pet first-aid above may help improve your dog’s condition, at-home treatments shouldn’t be used in place of veterinary care.
DON’T trust Dr. Google
Google helps all of us research pet health and emergency strategies online but there’s a lot of misinformation out there too and it is imperative to choose a course of action that will help not hinder or hurt your pet. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, call your vet right away.
DON’T wait – ever!
You never know when a seemingly minor problem could turn into a full-blown pet emergency. Contact your vet immediately if anything seems off with your pet and go to emergency if the vet is unavailable or even if you think it warrants it. Waiting isn’t an option.