by Gigi McWhirter
When in doubt, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary care facility — not Dr. Google! In our area, there is not a 24-hour veterinary hospital. Casa Grande Animal Hospital is the only veterinary office open seven days a week. At the bottom of the article, there are numbers for 24- hour emergency centers in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Please note these lists apply to animals of ALL ages. These lists have been compiled after discussion with the veterinarians I work with and, mostly, the one I live with.
Canine:
- Licking a Colorado River toad.
- Refusing to drink for 24 hours or more.
- Unconsciousness.
- Heatstroke or heat stress.
- Extreme lameness, inability to move a leg or legs, broken bones.
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting — or a combination of both — more than two episodes in a 24-hour period.
- Seizures and/or staggering.
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, rectum, blood in urine or coughing up blood.
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that does not stop within five minutes.
- Not able to pass feces (poop) or urinate (pee) or obvious pain associated with either.
- Eye injuries.
- Hit by car or other moving vehicle/item — not all injuries are visible!
- Obvious signs of extreme pain or anxiety.
- Choking, trouble breathing, gasping for air, nonstop gagging or coughing.
- Bloated abdomen, especially in bigger dogs with large chest cavities (example: Labrador or any retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, pointers, setters, etc.).
- You suspect or know that your pet has consumed something poisonous such as: antifreeze, dark chocolate, xylitol, marijuana or marijuana byproducts, your medication (including Tylenol and Ibuprofen), rat/rodent poison, foods deemed toxic to the species (that is another list available at the ASPCA website).
Phone numbers for 24-hour emergency care:
AVECCC (Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center) Gilbert: 480-487-0222
1st Pet Veterinary Center — Chandler: 480-732-0018
Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center — Tucson: 520-888-3177
Feline:
- Straining to urinate or changes in urinary habits — especially in male cats.
- Suddenly unable to use the hind legs especially but not limited to, crying out in extreme pain and breathing changes.
- Open-mouth breathing and other breathing changes.
- Consuming a foreign object such as string, dental floss, tinsel or any other suspect item.
- Poison ingestion such as antifreeze, rat/rodent poison or human medications (including Tylenol or Ibuprofen).
- Hit by car — or other moving vehicle or object.
- Severe bleeding that does not stop within five minutes. Bite wounds should also be treated as soon as possible to avoid the risk of infection or abscess.
- Eye Injuries, sudden blindness or a change in your cat’s eyes.
- Heatstroke or heat stress.
Phone numbers for 24-hour emergency care:
AVECCC (Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center) Gilbert: 480-487-0222
1st Pet Veterinary Center — Chandler: 480-732-0018
Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center — Tucson: 520-888-3177
Equine:
- Colic.
- Acute lameness.
- Choke (esophageal obstruction).
- Punctures, lacerations or extreme bleeding.
- Joint or tendon injury.
- Eye trauma.
- Exertional myopathy/exhaustion.
- Reproductive emergencies.
- Foal emergencies.
- A.D.R. “Ain’t Doin’ Right” is actually used by veterinary professionals and astute pet owners used to describe when “something just isn’t right” with their animals.
Phone numbers for 24-hour emergency care:
EQUINE:
Arizona Equine Medical & Surgical Centre — Gilbert: 480-962-6660
Avra Equine — Marana/Picture Rocks: 520-870-2898
EQUINE & OTHER LIVESTOCK:
Herd Health Management — Gilbert: 480-899-5088 or emergency number: 602-513-0390
It is extremely important to be reminded that these lists are not, in any way, intended to replace the diagnosis, consultation or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you suspect your animal is experiencing a medical emergency call your veterinarian or a 24-hour facility right away.
To be prepared for an emergency, you should also consult with your veterinary care team for their after-hours emergency recommendations.
Happy Tails to You!
