Should You Rush Your Dog to the Veterinarian Hospital?
Unfortunately, you cannot simply ask your dog to describe their symptoms to you when trying to decide whether to rush them into the veterinarian hospital. If you are like many pet owners, this can result in a great deal of anxiety. After all, no pet owner wants to be responsible for failing to get their beloved fur baby the care that they need. However, on the flip side, it is important to only bring your pet in for emergency care when it is truly necessary. This will ensure that the staff at your local vet hospital is available to treat animals who have true medical emergencies. Thankfully, you can help to ease some of the anxiety you may feel by using the symptoms described below as a guide to help you determine if you need to rush your dog to the hospital or if you can safely wait and call their regular vet to schedule an appointment.
Bloody Urine, Bowels, or Vomit
If your dog has blood present in their urine, bowels, or vomit, this can be a sign that your pet has internal bleeding. This certainly qualifies as a true medical emergency and will warrant a trip to your local veterinarian hospital. When taking your dog in to be seen, try and provide as much information as possible. For instance, the vet will want to know if the blood was bright red or dark in color. This will help them to determine the source of the blood. They also will ask about the volume of blood that was present. If at all possible, you may want to bring a sample with you.
Lethargy
This is another symptom that should be taken quite seriously. However, it is important not to confuse a lethargic pet with a lazy pet. If your pet is simply not as active as they usually are, this can be attributed to minor discomfort that can probably wait to be addressed unless they have other more severe symptoms. A dog that is truly lethargic, they will have no will to stand, move about, eat, drink, or otherwise interact. A dog displaying this symptom may also physically collapse if they do attempt to stand.
Discolored Gums
Your dog's gums can tell you quite a bit about their health. In fact, many of the most serious health issues your dog can face will result in changes to the color of their gums. If you are worried about your pet's current health, take a moment to inspect the coloring of their gums. If you find that your dog's gums are a pale color or have taken on a yellow or blue tint, it is time to rush your dog to the veterinarian hospital.
Trust Your Gut
While you may not be able to communicate with your dog verbally, the bond you and your pet share will give you the greatest amount of insight into their health. If you find that your intuition is telling you it is time to take them to the hospital, trust your gut. After all, when it comes to the well-being of your pet, it is always better to be safe than sorry.