When Is Emergency Care Necessary for Your Pet’s Limp?
Your pet’s lameness may generally be treated the following working day. However, certain disorders and limping necessitate an immediate visit to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Signs of lameness in pets requiring emergency care
If your four-legged pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, take him to the vet immediately:
Dragging a limb
Not bearing weight on a limb
Extreme lethargy
Uncontrollable bleeding
Excessive swelling
Excessive vocalization
Abrupt worsening of a limp
If your pet has slight lameness and concerning symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, they may require emergency treatment for the underlying reason rather than the limp.
Pets with lameness require emergency care.
Pets can become lame for various reasons, some requiring rapid care. While a muscular sprain or strain is cause for concern, you do not need to go to the nearest emergency room. Certain conditions, however, necessitate immediate attention, such as:
A fractured limb
Paresis or paralysis of one or more limbs
A deep or large wound that will not stop bleeding
A venomous insect or snake bite
A car accident
A dog fight
Some of these conditions may not appear to cause much harm, but interior complications may arise that necessitate care. For example, you may believe that your pet is healthy if they were hit by a car and have only mild road rash on their legs and a limp. Still, a thorough examination may discover damage to their liver, spleen, kidneys, or bladder, necessitating severe hospitalization.
A pet that another pet has bitten is another regular case that necessitates immediate treatment. Puncture marks create just little holes, but the wounds become infected quickly. Furthermore, a pet that grabs and shakes your pet can cause extensive underlying tissue damage, quickly escalating into a serious condition.
Determining whether your four-legged dog has become a three-legged pet can be tough and requires emergency attention. So, give us a call to discuss your pet’s condition, and we’ll let you know if they require emergency treatment.