Recognizing Serious Dog Emergencies

Owners often find it very hard to know whether their dog is having an emergency. They are consequently faced with the dilemma of whether they should seek veterinary attention or not. You may be left wondering whether the problem can wait until the morning, until Monday or after a public holiday. Dogs are like young children in that they cannot tell us that that they are unwell, instead, we have to rely on how they behave to let us know. As a result, dogs can be very sick by the time we realize that they have a problem. In addition, animals will attempt to hide their illness and pain as a preservation reflex. You know your dog better than anyone else, so in general, if you are worried about your dog it indicates that you should seek veterinary attention. It is far better to see or speak to a veterinarian and have the peace of mind rather than continue to worry and potentially have your dog’s condition deteriorate.
It is impossible to say exactly which circumstances are definite emergencies that require immediate attention. This chapter provides a guide to which circumstances are more likely to indicate a serious emergency.

Bleeding

Excessive bleeding, regardless of the cause constitutes an emergency. This may be a result of a traumatic injury and is especially a problem if it is spurting or cannot be stopped by applying direct pressure. Bleeding can also occur in the gut and be present in vomit or stools. Blood may discolour the urine indicating either bleeding or another potentially serious problem. Dogs may cough blood or they may start bleeding from the nose. A problem with blood clotting can cause bleeding in any part of the body.

Trauma

Any severe trauma such as a road traffic accident, dog fight or a large fall warrants veterinary attention even if the dog involved appears normal. This is because some injuries may be internal or hidden by fur. Some injuries will also not become obvious until some time after the trauma. It is especially important to seek immediate veterinary attention if the trauma causes obvious bleeding, severe injuries such as broken bones or exposed internal organs, difficulty breathing, paralysis, pain or altered consciousness.

Difficulty breathing

Difficulty breathing when your animal is resting is always an emergency. There are many causes of difficulty breathing and it is often hard to determine what is causing the problem. Dogs with difficulty breathing can often become very distressed which further contributes to the problem. It is important to keep your dog as calm as possible. Keep them out of the heat and take them to a veterinarian as soon as you can.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Vomiting and diarrhoea can be emergency situations but they are not always. Dogs have a very strong vomiting reflex and often vomit when there is only a minor upset. These signs are more likely to indicate an emergency if they are severe, progress rapidly or continue for longer than 24-36 hours. Continued vomiting or diarrhoea will eventually lead to dehydration and so will require veterinary intervention. If the vomit or diarrhoea is large in volume or is very frequent, dehydration is more likely to occur. Vomiting is more likely to lead to dehydration if your dog cannot even hold down water. If your dog continues to vomit even after you have taken their food away this is potentially serious.
If your dog becomes depressed and generally sick accompanying vomiting or diarrhea this indicates that the problem is an emergency. Similarly, if your dog also has a fever it indicates a more serious problem. Abdominal pain also indicates that the problem is more likely to be an emergency. Signs of pain include whimpering or groaning, turning around and looking at their belly, hunching in the hind limbs and arching the lower back or bowing down onto the forelimbs. Your dog may show these signs if you try to touch their belly or pick them up.
If your dog’s vomit contains fresh blood or the appearance of coffee grounds, which also indicates gut bleeding, this is also likely to be an emergency situation. Similarly, black or bloody feces also indicate bleeding into the gut and is likely to indicate a serious problem.
If you are concerned that your dog’s condition is complicated by any of the conditions described in this section you should take them to a veterinarian. You should also take them to a veterinarian if they are young (less than 1 year) or elderly (older than 8 years) or if they have another medical condition.

Abdominal bloating

Abdominal distension or bloating often indicates a serious problem. This is especially true in large dogs where it may indicate bloat, a build up of gas in the stomach, which can actually twist on itself and become blocked. This is an urgent emergency and can sometimes be fatal, you need to take your dog straight to a veterinary surgery. In other serious conditions the abdomen can become distended with fluid. Where the belly has swollen or become distended rapidly it is most likely an emergency situation and you should take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. There are other non-emergency conditions that can make the belly appear distended such as a slow build up of abdominal fat.

Weakness, collapse and paralysis

There are many causes of weakness and collapse, however, whenever this occurs this is likely to indicate a serious problem and so veterinary attention should be sought immediately. These conditions can sometimes be episodic. Even if your dog appears to have recovered completely, please do not discount this. Such episodes really need to be investigated by your veterinarian. Severe depression and unconsciousness are also emergencies
Similarly there are many causes of paralysis including tick paralysis, snake bites, blood clots, poisonings, tumours and spinal problems like slipped discs, fractures and dislocations. Regardless of the cause, paralysis is always serious and timely treatment is essential. If you suspect a spinal problem you should use a supporting board as described on page 55.

Fits

Like humans, dogs can have fits or convulsions and these can occur for many reasons. They may be as simple as episodes of staring into space or twitching of facial muscles. However, they are often much more dramatic than this and can involve unconsciousness, repeated violent limb movements, frothing at the mouth and are frequently accompanied by urination and defecation. A seizure in itself is of minimal harm as long as it does not go on for longer than 90 seconds. Seizures become very dangerous if they go on much longer than this or if they occur one after the other. In either of these cases veterinary assistance should be sought immediately. Also dogs can harm themselves during a seizure. If your dog has just had its first mild seizure it is important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible to try to find out why it happened. If your dog has already been diagnosed with a seizure disorder then a single short seizure may not be a reason to rush them to a veterinarian.

Poisoning

If you know that your dog has ingested a poisonous substance or potentially had exposure to one this is definitely a reason to seek veterinary assistance. Early intervention can make a huge difference. See Poisonings on page 62 for more information regarding specific poisons. Likewise, if you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a snake or poisonous spider, they should be taken to a see a veterinarian.

Allergic reactions

Acute allergic reactions can produce many symptoms in dogs, including facial swelling. This can become a problem if it starts to compromise breathing and so should be treated promptly. Allergic reactions can also cause intense itchiness. If this is severe dogs can scratch so much that they cause a lot of damage to themselves. If your dog is very itchy and starting to damage themselves you should seek veterinary attention.
Severe reactions can sometimes cause vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse. If you suspect that any of these symptoms are caused by allergic reactions you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.

Urinary blockage

Failure to urinate can also indicate a serious problem. This may indicate blockage to the urethra and is much more likely to occur in male dogs. Your dog may try to urinate without producing anything or only a few drops, perhaps contaminated with blood. They may strain or even cry out when they are trying to urinate. Initially, your dog may try to urinate frequently but as they become sicker they may give up trying to urinate altogether. Often they will lick their genitals excessively which may make them inflamed. If the urinary blockage continues, toxins cannot be excreted and will start to build up. The bladder can become stretched and damaged or even burst. You should not try to feel for the bladder as it may be very tight and easily burst. If you suspect that your dog has a urinary blockage they should be seen by your veterinarian immediately. If you need to carry your dog, do so by lifting your dog from behind their hind legs rather than under their belly so you do not place extra pressure on the bladder.

Hyperthermia, fever and hypothermia

Many factors can influence your dog’s temperature. However, if it is greater than 40°C or less than 37°C, this indicates an emergency situation that requires intervention. See Hyperthermia and Hypothermia page 93 for more information.

Vaginal discharge and uterine infections

Uterine infections can be life threatening. They can occur in older bitches who have not been spayed. They generally become apparent a couple of weeks to a month after a heat cycle. An affected bitch may have a foul smelling bloody or pussy discharge from their vulva. This may be hard to notice as she may lick this off and will generally lick her vulva more. She may have a fever, poor appetite and be more lethargic. She may drink and urinate more and, in some cases, will be lame. This condition is an emergency and she should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Eye problems

The eyes are very delicate and precious. Any problem with the eyes is potentially an emergency and time is of the essence. Problems with the eyes can be indicated by a sudden change in their appearance such as swelling, redness, cloudiness, a blue tinge or filling with blood. An eye problem may be painful which is indicated by excessive blinking or holding the eyelids shut. Excessive discharge can also indicate a problem. It is especially important to see a veterinarian if the eye has become painful subsequent to trauma such as a fight with a cat or running into a stick or bush. If a poison has entered your dog’s eyes it should be flushed out thoroughly. You should also contact the Poison Information Centre (see page 111) and take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Timely treatment is vital with eye problems to avoid long term problems like blindness.

Puppies and elderly dogs

Like babies, puppies are much more fragile than mature dogs. Whenever puppies become sick there is always the potential for them to deteriorate very quickly. If your puppy is unwell they should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Similarly elderly animals (older than eight years) and animals with other medical issues such as diabetes can become very sick very quickly.