Call the Doctor! by Gigi McWhirter
W
hen 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: 520888-3177
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GOLDEN CORRID OR LI VING ING • YOU! GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVV ING
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. • Heat stroke 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: 520888-3177
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!
THE BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP EDITION • FALL 2020
