Here For You When Your Veterinarian Can't Be
Signs of a Pet Emergency
How to Tell If Your Pet Is Having an Emergency
Pets can behave in unusual ways, so it may not always be easy to determine if they’re experiencing an urgent situation or not. For your information, the Animal Emergency Center has compiled a list of common conditions that can indicate an emergency.
Some veterinary emergencies are obvious and some are more difficult to assess. If you notice that your pet is acting differently than usual, it is time to call your vet or emergency vet to ask some questions. From there, your Watsontown veterinarian can let you know if you should bring your pet in immediately or if he/she can wait for an examination during normal business hours.
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, please call our clinic immediately at (570) 399-0403.
Contact the Watsontown Animal Emergency Center
The more you know about veterinary emergencies, the better prepared you will be the next time your pet needs emergency treatment. If possible, it's important to call us prior to arriving at our urgent care center. Our team can better prepare for your pet's circumstances with a little bit of advance warning.
Know the Signs of a Pet Medical Emergency
Below, you'll read a list of symptoms than can be indicators of a medical veterinary emergency. Some are less severe than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q:Respiratory problems
A:• Excessive coughing
• Labored breathing
• Noisy or increased breathing rate or effort
• Blue tongue or gums -
Q:Excessive bleeding
A:• Bleeding from any body part or orifice (mouth, eyes, ears, etc.)
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Q:Bloated or distended abdomen
A:• Swollen stomach
• Inability to eat or drink
• Dry heaving
• Excessive drooling -
Q:Urinary retention
A:• Ineffective, frequent attempts to urinate
• Weak urine stream
• Abdominal distension -
Q:Constipation
A:• Infrequent or lack of defecation
• Straining to defecate with little or no fecal volume
• Hard or dry bowel movement
• Swelling around the anus -
Q:Heatstroke
A:• Heavy panting
• Weakness
•Rectal temperature higher than 104°F -
Q:Uterine inertia (inability to deliver)
A:• Inability to deliver by end of normal gestation period
• Going more than 1-2 hours after delivery of one fetus (puppy or kitten) with other fetuses remaining in uterus
• Going more than 15 minutes with membranes protruding -
Q:Trauma or injury
A:• Falls or collisions with an object (vehicle, motorcycle, etc.)
•Limping
• Pain
• Whimpering
• Bleeding -
Q:Penetrating wounds
A:• Punctured skin, chest, or abdomen
• Bleeding -
Q:Shock
A:• Pale gums
• Weakness
• Shallow breathing
• Dilated pupils -
Q:Allergic reaction
A:• Hives
• Red eyes or lips
• Swelling around facial area -
Q:Pain
A:• Whining/whimpering/yelping
• Pacing
• Trembling Unwillingness to move
• Aggressive behavior when moved -
Q:Lameness
A:• Decreased range of motion
• Muscle atrophy
• Limb pain
• Abnormal posture -
Q:Neurological abnormalities
A:• Collapsing
• Walking off balance
• Tilting of the head Seizures (more than one in a 24-hour period)
• Circling Visual deficiencies -
Q:Slow Heart Rate
A:• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Excessively slow breathing -
Q:Rapid heart rate
A:• Pale mucous membrane
• Weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Fever -
Q:*Poisoning/toxicosis
A:• Vomiting
• Shaking
• Fever
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
*Common toxic substances include antifreeze, rodenticides, lawn fertilizers, chocolate, human medication, and household cleaners. -
Q:Eye problems
A:• Squinting one or both eyes
• Discharge
• Closed eye(s)
• Cloudiness in eyes
• Change in eye color -
Q:Swollen paws (dogs)
A:• Inflamed paw
• Limping
• Constant licking of the paw
Your Right Choice
When An Emergency Happens-
Here When Your Veterinarian Can't Be
We are proud to serve our community by being open on nights, weekends, and all major holidays.
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Two Decades of Caring
We have been a staple in this community for twenty years, put your loved one's paws in our experienced hands.
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Handling Emergencies Big and Small
Whether you have a life-threating emergency on your hands or just don't want until Monday to see your regular vet, we're here to serve you and your pet.
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Tender Loving Care
We understand that no one wants to come to an emergency veterinarian, our highly trained staff is here with a compassionate heart to care for you and your pet.
Don't Delay Call Us Now!
Real Stories from Real Owners
Read Our Reviews-
“We talked it out with Dr. Lewis listening to my crying and rationalizing and the final decision was to not let him suffer any longer. We turned around and I will not go into detail about the last moments but they were so compassionate, caring and cognizant”
- Annette D. -
“The staff was friendly, professional and very kind and attentive to our sick dog. He was given the proper care and with follow-up from our regular vet recovered from his illness.The staff was friendly, professional and very kind and attentive to our sick d”
- Jack -
“We hated having to leave her there for IV medications but they kept me updated throughout the night and took such good care of my baby girl while easing my mind. Thank you all!”
- Rachel