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Most commonly seen in male cats, crystals can form in the urinary tract decreasing or stopping to flow of urine. It can present as UTI symptoms, in and out of the litter box frequently, straining to urinate, vocalizing…

This condition can be life threatening and if your male cat has any urinary symptoms he should be checked imediately.

With prompt treatment your cat can be unblocked and your veterinarian will likely recommend a prescription diet long-term, as cats who block are prone to repeat blockages.

When a female dogs or cats are not spayed they are susceptible to pyometra. This is an infection of the uterus where it will fill with bacteria and pus. This condition is life threatening and must be treated quickly.

Signs of pyometra include discharge, lethargy, inappetence and vomiting. The best and most effective treatment is to spay.

Hemoabdomen is a life threatening condition in which there is free blood collecting in the abdomen. It can be cause by trauma (being hit by a car), or it could have a non-traumatic cause, such as the rupture of an internal mass.

Animals with hemoabdomen will often present with a distended belly, weakness, pale gums, respiratory distress, low blood pressure or collapse.

If you suspect your pet may have hemoabdomen you should get them to a veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will recommend treatment based on the cause of the bleeding but will likely require surgery.

Whether it’s household foods that are dangerous to pet, like onions, raisins or xylitol… or a few dropped pills on the floor that fluffy scooped up. Pet’s eating things they aren’t supposed to make them frequent flyers at the ER Vet.

For any medical or chemical ingestion call PET POISON CONTROL immediately at 1-888-426-4435. There is a nominal fee, but they have toxicologist on staff who will know if your pet needs to be seen and come up with a treatment plan if they do.

If you are concerned about a food that your pet ate (like onions, chocolate, grapes…) you can call the ER Vet for advice, in most case we can give instructions to induce vomiting at home

Just like us, our best buddies can have dangerous allergic reactions. It may be a known origin like an insect bite/sting or a recent trip to the vet for vaccines… But, sometimes the reaction come seemingly out of know where.

If your pet experiences swelling, hives or any other indication of a reaction they should be seen by an ER Vet right away. The veterinarian can administer injectable medications to halt the reaction and ensure that it does not get worse.

Emergency Vets see foreign bodies (FB) all the time. Our furry friends love to get into things they shouldn’t, whether they’re a panty thief, have a taste for dirty socks, like to swallow rocks or any other strange things that they most certainly should not eat.

These foreign bodies can “clog up the pipes” and cause serious, life threatening issues. If a FB is suspected, your vet will likely order a radiograph to confirm. Depending on where the blockage is and how severe, they may suggest hospitalization and treat with fluids to see it will pass on its own. However, foreign bodies frequently require surgery to remove the blockage.

Did you know your pet can be diabetic? Whether it’s a new diagnosis or a diabetic crisis for a known diabetes patient, this conditions sends pet owners to the Pet ER on a regular basis.

Symptoms may include lethargy, excessive thirst & urination, weight loss despite increased appetite, just to name a few.

If your pet is in diabetic crisis it is important to get to the Veterinary ER right away, if your pet is on insulin, bring that with you in an insulated bag.

Diabetes can often be managed with a special diet and/or insulin, but it is important to see a vet right away and get set up with a treatment plan.

If you notice your buddy is having a hard time breathing, or increased effort to breath, it’s time to head to the Veterinary ER, ASAP. The emergency clinic should assess and stabilize your pet right away, often with supportive oxygen. Give the clinic a call to let them know you are on you way so they can be ready for you.

Don’t be surprised or alarmed if they ask you to make a decision about CPR/DNR status, this is standard practice any time a pet needs to be rushed to the treatment area for stabilization.

These symptoms seem fairly generic, and have both benign and more urgent causes. If any of these symptoms have been going for multiple days or are seen in combination with any other symptom, it is best to be seen. You know your pet and their behaviors best. If something seems “off” get them checked out. You can always call into your local emergency vet who are generally happy to answer your questions over the phone to help you decide if your pet needs to be seen right away or could possibly wait for a regular vet visit.