ailment

Emergency Advice

Below you will find a list of common ailments/emergencies which The Family Pet
Clinic regularly sees. The information in this list is to be taken at face value. It is
not a diagnosis nor cure to your animal's condition. When in doubt, call your
veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Bee & Wasp Stings
Dogs and cats can be mildly to severely allergic to stings from bees,wasps and
other stinging insects. There are 3 types of reactions that can occur.

Mild: Minimal swelling or pain at the sting site. May or may not require treatment.

Moderate: Swelling at the site and then development of hives. Hives may be
easiest seen on the tummy area or groin area. (cats rarely develop hives but will
act itchy) These reactions usually result in the animal rubbing and itching
excessively. The ear flaps will often become red and thickened. These kind of
reactions are best treated with injections by your veterinarian.

Severe: Following the sting the pet vomits, has diarrhea, has difficulty breathing or
collapses. These animals need to be transported to the veterinarian immediately. If
not treated the vomiting and diarrhea can become bloody and result in a very
severe life threatening condition. These animals need to be seen by a veterinarian
immediately. Call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Bite Wounds
Wounds that result from on animal biting another can be very serious due to
infections and damage that occurs under the skin. If your animal receives a bite
wound clean the area well with water and a gentle soap. Most wounds will become
infected and require antibiotic treatment. It is best to have the wound looked at
promptly to get treatment before infection begins. If there is a large wound with
underlying tissue exposed do not put anything on the area and take the animal
immediately to veterinarian. If you are not sure, please call your veterinarian or
The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Bleeding
Prolonged continual bleeding from a laceration may mean that a major artery or
vein has been damaged. Calm the animal and apply pressure to the area.
Bandaging can be dangerous to an animal's circulation if not done correctly. It is
okay to bandage an area of bleeding temporarily but if the bleeding doesn't stop
and a bandage is left in place it can result in the swelling of paws or legs causing
more damage. Bandages placed at home should not stay in place more than 1
hour.
Excessive bleeding may mean that the animal is suffering from some other medical
condition or poisoning. Bleeding from the nose or mouth, blood in the urine, stool,
or vomit suggests a serious condition and the animal should be taken to the
veterinarian immediately. Call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-
662-1770.

Bloat or Volvulus
This is a very serious life threatening condition that most commonly occurs in large
breed dogs, but can occur in any dog and even in the cat. If there is any suspicion
that your pet is suffering from bloating of the stomach, immediate evaluation and
treatment needs to be started. Indications that your pet may be bloated and/or has
a twisted stomach include:

Abdominal distention
Retching or trying to vomit, but all that come up is foamy material
Rapid heart rate
Pale gums
Unable to get comfortable or lay down
Panting
Treatment usually requires aggressive medical stabilization with intravenous fluids,
followed by surgery to reposition the stomach. The sooner the pet goes to surgery
the better the outcome. Left twisted the stomach lining will die from lack of blood
supply and result in the death of the pet. If you have any suspicion that your pet
may be bloated, call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Breathing Problems
Any animal that is experiencing any kind of breathing problems should be
evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. There are a variety of conditions that can
cause difficulty breathing. The sooner the animal is evaluated the better it's
chances of recovery. Signs that there may be a breathing problem include:

Increased effort of breathing
Open mouth breathing at rest
Pale or bluish gums or tongue color
Reluctance to sit or lay down
Inappitence
Exercise intolerance
Transport to your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic immediately- 216-662-1770.

Burns
Heat/Thermal Burns: Luckily burns are rare but if you think your animal has been
burned take the animal to the veterinarian immediately. Damage from burns
sometimes does not show up right away so it is best to have the pet checked for
possible burns early.
Electrical Burns: These can occur when an animal bites into an electric cord-
THESE CAN BE VERY SERIOUS AND REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL
ATTENTION. These animals can develop serious fluid in the lungs causing
breathing difficulties.
Chemical Burns: Wash the area with copious amounts of cool water. Check the
skin for any signs of redness, irritation or discoloration.
Call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Choking
It is rare for animals to choke. Animals that choke are usually very anxious
because they are having difficulty breathing. Be careful in trying to look in the
mouth or extract any foreign objects because the animal may bite. Check the gums
and tongue color- if they are pale or blue that animal is not getting enough air and
must be seen immediately if you can't dislodge the object. You can try to perform a
mini-Heimlich maneuver by pressing quickly around the chest to force an object
out of the upper throat area. Transport your pet to a veterinarian or The Family
Pet Clinic immediately - 216-662-1770.

Coughing
Coughing can be a sign of disease of the lungs or heart. Causes of coughing
include kennel cough(a viral and bacterial infection), fluid in the lungs from heart
failure, asthma, pneumonia, or something stuck in the throat. Prolonged episodes
of coughing can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Call your veterinarian or
The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Diarrhea
Rarely a life threatening emergency. Diarrhea becomes an emergency if it has
become profuse, bloody, or if the animal is having other problems including
vomiting. If your pet has had diarrhea that has suddenly become worse, then it
should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Young puppies/kittens and older debilitated
animals can succumb to serious problems from diarrhea. They should be
evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Occasional diarrhea can be
treated by offering a bland diet for 1 to 2 meals. If the diarrhea becomes more
frequent or is bloody then the pet should be taken to the veterinarian. In young
dogs that have not had there vaccines more serious viral diseases can be
responsible for the diarrhea. Parvovirus can cause very bloody diarrhea and
vomiting and result in death if the animal is not treated appropriately. Any dog that
develops diarrhea seems depressed and won't eat should be seen by a
veterinarian. Call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Eye Injuries
Any injury to the eye should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Eye injuries can progress to severe conditions that cause pain and potentially
blindness in you pet. Some signs that your pet me have an eye injury or some
condition that is affecting his/her sight include:

Squinting
Excessive tearing
Pawing at the eye
Redness of the eye
Cloudiness of the cornea
Bulging of the eyeball
Call your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Fleas
Fleas are usually not an emergency unless your pet has become anemic from flea
infestation. Signs of anemia are weakness and pale gums. We recommend you
obtain flea products through your veterinarian since some products available
through pet stores can cause poisoning in cats and dogs. Do not ever put flea
control products listed for dog on your cat. Call your veterinarian for further
information.

Fractures
Broken bones are common in dogs and cats. They can result from motor vehicle
accidents, fights, or other events. Animals can be painful and bite if you try to
move or manipulate a fractured bone. Be careful and muzzle an animal or use
large towels to cover the head to move the pet. The recommended repair of a
fracture depends on the severity of the fracture and the location. All animals with a
suspected fracture should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Motor vehicle accidents
may result in other injuries besides just fractures. All animals that have been hit by
a car should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to set a
fracture- support the limb as necessary for transport to the veterinarian. Call your
veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.
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Heat Stroke
This can be a very serious condition that occurs in dogs that become over heated
after exercise in hot weather. Some of these dogs may have some other medical
condition that predisposes them to heat stroke. A dog that is becoming over
heated needs to be treated quickly and aggressively by a veterinarian. A dog's
normal temperature is between 100° and 102.5°. If you can take your dogs
temperature and it is 105° F or greater then it's at risk for developing heat stroke.
Signs that your dog may be over heated include:

Excessive panting even after resting
Drooling
Bright red injected gums
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloody urine
Collapse

Just cooling the dog with water is not an adequate treatment. Transport to
veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic immediately - 216-662-1770.

Labor in Cats
Provide a box with bedding in a quiet place for the delivery a week before the
kittens are due. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian about the 45th day of
pregnancy for a physical exam and possible x rays or deworming.
Pregnancy lasts for 56 to 69 days from the time of a fertile mating. The
temperature drops to less than 99 degrees Fahrenheit 12 to 36 hours before the
kittens are born.

Stage 1 Labor: Lasts for 2 to 24 hours. Signs include restlessness, grooming,
pacing, panting, vomiting, crying, poor appetite, hiding, and nesting with loud
purring. The cervix is dilating during this stage.
Stage 2 Labor: Usually lasts for 2 to 6 hours, and rarely can last for several days.
The queen may cry loudly during this stage. If the queen pushes hard for more
than 30 minutes, or if a kitten is suck part-way out, call your regular veterinarian or
The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.
Stage 3 Labor: Passage of the placenta. Occurs after each kitten is born.

Labor in Dogs
Labor in Dogs: Pregnancy normally lasts from 56 to 64 days from the first day of
breeding. A visit to the regular vet is recommended at day 45 to have x-rays done
to estimate how many puppies are there, for a deworming, and general physical
exam. It is a good idea to buy a book on whelping so you know what to expect and
what you need to do. A whelping box should be provided 1 to 2 weeks before the
due date. The body temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit 10 to 24
hours before the pups are born. The three stages of labor follow:

Stage 1: Lasts 6 to 24 hours. The bitch may appear restless & nervous, may pant,
refuse food, vomit, pace, hide, and tear up bedding. The cervix is dilating at this
time.
Stage 2: Lasts 3 to 36 hours. Contractions are visible, and the bitch usually squats
or lies on her side. It can take from 3 to 36 hours for the entire litter to be born.
Usually the first puppy is born within 10 to 30 minutes of initiation of straining and
pushing. If the bitch strains for more than 2 hours without a puppy being born, or
more than 4 hours passes between puppies, call your veterinarian or The Family
Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.
Stage 3: The placentas are passed after the birth of each pup. It is normal for the
bitch to eat the placentas but it is not necessary and can sometimes make them
sick.

Lacerations
Lacerations can be of any size or shape and repair will depend not only on the
laceration but on any muscle or tissue that is involved under or around the
laceration. The sooner a laceration is repaired, the better and faster it will heal. On
occasion a laceration will not require stitches but it is best to be evaluated by a
veterinarian to make that decision. Animals are rarely cooperative enough for just
using local anesthetics for placing sutures. Sedation and or anesthesia is often
required for adequate cleaning and suturing. Call your veterinarian or The Family
Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Parasites (Worms)
Worms, or intestinal parasites are unpleasant, but usually do not require an
emergency visit. If possible, save the worm and bring it along with a stool sample to
your veterinarian. Do not medicate your pet with de-wormer from the pet store
since each type of worm requires a different type of medication. Also, many
dewormers can make pets sick- the products from your vet should kill the worms,
but not make your pet ill. Call your veterinarian for further information.

Poisoning
This section provides information on both outdoor and household poisoning. The
Animal Poison Control website is:www.aspca.org/apcc. The Phone number is: 888-
426-4435. There is a charge for this. It is around $55.00.

Outdoor/Garden Poisoning the most common outdoor or garden poisoning that we
encounter in Ohio is rat/mouse bait.

Rodenticide ( rat/mouse ) poisons: These poisons cause the dog or cat to bleed
internally. The pet usually consumed the poison in the past 3-5 days. Until the
bleeding starts there will usually not be any signs that the pet has eaten the
poison. Signs that show when a dog or cat has ingested rat poison include:
lethargy, weakness, rapid or labored breathing, moist cough, bleeding from the
nose or mouth, bloody urine, bloody stool or vomit, stiffness or lameness. Rat bait
is sweet and dogs will eat it over and over again. Cats are usually poisoned
because they have eaten a mouse or rat that has eaten the poison. Any animal
with the above signs should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Household Poisonings. Many drugs or medication that are commonly found in our
houses can be toxic to animals.

Tylenol Poisoning: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is very toxic to cats and should never
be given. One tablet of extra-strength Tylenol can kill a cat.
Ibuprofen: Various forms of this medication are available over the counter, (Motrin,
Advil). It is toxic in cats at very low doses and also toxic in dogs. It causes stomach
ulcers, bleeding and liver failure. Never give your pet medications without first
consulting your veterinarian.
Trash or Garbage Toxicity: Mold that grows on spoiled food or in compost can be
toxic and cause convulsion and seizures. DO NOT feed you pet something that
you would not eat, i.e. old left overs.
If you suspect your animal has been poisoned call your veterinarian or The Family
Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770.

Shaking, seizures
Shaking or seizures may be a sign of epilepsy or possibly something more
serious. If the shaking lasts more than a few minutes, call your vet or The Family
Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770. Stay calm, and make sure your pet cannot hurt itself
in the surrounding area. Don’t put anything in your pet’s mouth – he won’t swallow
his tongue. Special blood tests may be ordered during your pet’s examination.
We look for blood sugar levels – high or low blood sugar may trigger tremors or
seizures. We also look at liver tests, kidney tests, and a complete blood count to
rule out other diseases. Medication may be necessary.

Trauma
Animals often sustain various kinds of trauma from being bitten by other animals,
to falls, or being hit by a motor vehicle. Animals that have been injured or
traumatized should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Care must be taken to move an
injured animal to prevent further injury as well as protect you from being bitten or
scratched. First approach injured animals slowly especially if they are not your pet.
Look for the animal to be breathing. In cats place a laundry basket over the animal
and scoop into the basket using a large towel. Be very careful as an injured cat will
scratch or bite. In dogs that are very painful and may bite use a belt or leash to tie
the mouth shut to move onto a towel or board to transport. DO NOT TRY TO SET
LEGS OR FRACTURES. If your pet has suffered a traumatic event, transport to
veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic immediately - 216-662-1770.

Urinary Tract Blockage
Blockage of the urinary tract is most commonly seen in male cats. It is also seen in
male dogs, and less frequently in female dogs and cats. Causes include bladder
stones, bladder sand/crystals, swelling or inflammation of the urinary tract, or
cancer. Signs of a urinary tract blockage include straining to urinate with nothing
coming out, small drops of bloody urine, crying during urination, or getting in and
out of the litter box frequently. Sometimes, the only sign may be vomiting or acting
sick. If your cat doesn't have a litter box and goes outside only, you may just notice
that he isn't feeling well. This can be a life threatening emergency - if left untreated
the urinary blockage will result in toxins building up in the blood that can cause
death in the animal. If you think your pet has a blockage of the urinary tract,
please bring him to your veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic as soon as possible.

Vomiting
Protracted repeated vomiting can result in severe dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances and low blood sugar level. When your pet has been vomiting first take
all food and water away from the pet for 3 hours. If vomiting stops try offering a
small amount of water to your pet. If there is no vomiting of the water then offer a
small amount of food. If vomiting continues or you see blood in the vomit call your
regular veterinarian or The Family Pet Clinic at 216-662-1770 for instructions.

216-662-1770

The Family Pet Clinic