Pet Emergencies
In an emergency ring 01899 220073 (Biggar) or 01721 722879 (Peebles) 24 hours 365 days
If your pet suddenly becomes very ill or is injured - try not to panic. Call either surgery number and explain the problem as clearly as you can. We will also need to take details including your name, address, contact number and the name, species, breed and age of the animal. We will then arrange to see your pet as soon as possible.
Below are a few of the most common emergencies and conditions needing urgent treatment that we see frequently in pets. It’s not a full list of possible emergency conditions, so if you are worried about your pet please contact us.
Collapse/unconsciousness
This can be due to a wide range of causes, including shock, heart failure, an abdominal catastrophe, internal bleeding, severe anaemia, brain disease, a spinal problem, toxicities/poisoning, severe vomiting/diarrhoea, liver and kidney disease.
If your pet is poorly responsive or reluctant to get up with cold paws and ears or pale gums, we need to see him or her at the surgery immediately. Please call first to ensure that a vet is at the surgery ready to see you.
Profuse bleeding/trauma/fractured bones
A road traffic accident is the most common cause of acute trauma in pets. These animals may be in severe pain, and should be handled cautiously as they are quite likely to bite. It is important to move them very slowly to avoid making any injuries worse. Any pet involved in an accident should be examined by a vet as soon as possible, as internal injuries are not always obvious.
Depending on the site of the bleeding, you may be able to apply pressure with a temporary bandage or dressing eg cut pad.
Difficulty breathing, choking or non-stop coughing/gagging
This could be due to a foreign body in the airway, collapse or masses in theor perhaps more commonly due to a heart or lung condition. It can also be a problem in brachycephalic breeds (those bred to have a ‘squashed’ face), particularly during excitement or exercise, or on a hot day.
Conditions of the lower airway include pneumonia, a collapsed lung, bronchitis or asthma, diaphragmatic hernia and lung cancer.
You pet might be panicking because of a lack of oxygen, or be reluctant to move from one position because they need to focus all their energy just on trying to breathe (especially cats). These animals will need oxygen to help them and should be brought to the surgery immediately.
This video might be useful if your pet is choking on a ball and you can’t get to us quickly.
Seizures
A seizure or ‘epileptic fit’ lasting more than 5 minutes is an emergency. Some pets may already have been diagnosed with epilepsy but still have occasional or more frequent seizures despite medication, or a pet having a seizure may be a new (and frightening) experience for the owner. There are several different causes but all need immediate treatment to control the seizure activity.
Please contact us while timing the seizure and keeping your pet safe from injury.
Ingestion of toxins or poisonous substances
If you see your dog or cat eat or drink something that might be poisonous, contact the practice immediately. We can make your pet vomit and prevent the poison being digested and absorbed into the body, so long as we see them quickly enough.
Some of the more common poisons include:
Dogs
Mouse and rat poisons
Chocolate
Human medication eg ibuprofen, heart medication, antidepressants
Grapes, raisins, onions and garlic
Caffeine eg teabags, coffee
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol and drugs
Xylitol eg chewing gum, sweets, peanut butter
Insecticides and pesticides
Excess of veterinary prescribed drugs eg. Metacam, Previcox, Rimadyl
Cats
Ethylene glycol (screen wash)
Lillies
Paracetamol
Topical insecticides eg. dog spot-on flea treamtents
Household cleaners eg toilet cleaner
Human medication
Tulips, daffodils, azaleas and rhododenrons
Slug and snail bait
Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins
Excess of veterinary prescribed drugs eg. painkillers and heart medication
Gastric dilation and volvulus
GDV (or ‘bloat’) is a life-threatening condition often affecting larger breed deep chested dogs like Weimeraners, Gt Danes and Setters, but can occur in any dog. It may be associated with eating a large meal followed by exercise. Torsion of the stomach rapidly leads to pressure building up on the lungs and circulatory system, followed by collapse and death if not treated.
If there is bloat without torsion, passing a stomach tube can resolve the problem. However in a true GDV, the twist prevents passing of a tube and surgery will be required. This is a high risk procedure as dogs are often already in shock when we see them.
If you notice your dog’s abdomen distending, with an increasing look of being uncomfortable, perhaps with unproductive retching and drooling, please contact us immediately.
Blocked bladder
Cats with cystitis, or a blocked urethra (preventing urine emptying from the bladder) can present with similar signs. They are on and off the litter tray frequently, with crying and straining, and there may be blood in the urine.
Cystitis is very upsetting for cats, uncomfortable and needs to be treated, but a blocked bladder is life-threatening. It is more of a problem in male cats, where stones or inflammation and ‘sludge’ block the urethra and the bladder becomes progressively more distended.
If you suspect your cat has a blocked bladder, please contact us urgently, as they will become progressively more ill unless the blockage is relieved and bladder drained.
Stick injuries
Dogs love to play with sticks - but it’s not a good idea to throw them. Unfortunately its very easy for dogs to impale themselves with a stick when chasing it. The injuries are usually to the mouth or neck, but can also cause eye and chest problems.
Stick injuries are emergencies if the stick is still stuck, but splinters remaining can also cause problems weeks, months or even years later too. The photo shows a large piece of stick wedged under the tongue of a Labrador after he ran onto it with mouth open when it wedged in the ground.
