Emergency veterinary clinics can mean the difference between life and death when your pet is experiencing an emergency.  These hospitals provide important services that other veterinary clinics cannot provide, as well as extended hours.  Emergency hospitals often have high-tech equipment on hand for diagnosis and skilled surgeons who can perform life-saving surgeries.

When taking your pet to an emergency veterinarian, it is very helpful to call the hospital in advance to notify them that you need to come in. This can help the medical team get prepared for your pet and can make it easier to get your pet through the door and into a treatment area quickly. In rare instances, an emergency clinic closest to you might have to send you to another location for treatment due to a flood of emergencies that have come in. If you are ready to learn more about the common pet emergencies in Oak Brook, keep reading.

Listed below are the most common pet emergencies in Oak Brook, IL:

Cats and dogs can suffer from broken limbs during injuries just like humans.  This is an emergency particularly because your pet is in severe pain that needs to be treated.  Additionally, fractures require prompt treatment in order for a bone to heal appropriately.  If your pet has an open fracture, which means there is exposed bone sticking out of the wound, additional medications such as antibiotics will also be necessary. 

Some broken limbs require referral to a specialist surgeon who will surgically repair the break so it can heal. Not all broken bones can be repaired, and in some cases, amputation is necessary.

Pets can be hit by cars or they can be ejected from moving vehicles that they have been riding in during an accident.  Both of these situations can cause serious injuries. Any animal that is hit by a car or thrown from a vehicle should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.  Some of these animals have external wounds and obvious bleeding, but others may not have any external signs of their injuries.

In some instances, animals can be so severely injured in these accidents that they might be sent to a specialty clinic by the emergency hospital after they have been initially stabilized. Many animals that are hit by a car or are involved in a car accident require hospitalization and recovery can take weeks.  

Lacerations and wounds that are deep can necessitate a visit to a veterinarian right away. If your pet has an open wound or a wound that will not stop bleeding, you will need to call the emergency veterinary hospital to let them know you are coming in for treatment. Many lacerations can be repaired with stitches, but some wounds are so serious that they will require more advanced surgery to repair them.

You should not hesitate to seek treatment for your pet if they have a serious wound. While it might seem like you can wrap a wound and wait until Monday, this is not the best solution for your pet’s well-being.  The majority of these wounds need to be cleaned and medications are necessary for appropriate healing. 

Dog and cat fights can lead to serious injuries and wounds that require emergency attention.  If your pets have been in a fight, they might have wounds that you cannot see hiding beneath their fur. All bite wounds, but part particularly puncture wounds from teeth, can become infected rapidly if not treated appropriately.  Often the force that has been placed on a pet’s neck or limbs can lead to torn or damaged muscles that need surgical treatment.

If your pet has been in a fight, do not hesitate to take them to an emergency veterinarian.  They will likely need antibiotics and may need stitches.  Often neglecting these injuries cause the wounds to become infected, painful, and require more advanced treatment.

Poisoning can happen to any pet because animals tend to get into food or substances that are toxic to them.  This can lead to an emergency that should be addressed as soon as possible. You should never hesitate to take your pet to the emergency veterinarian if you think they have ingested something toxic. The sooner that your pet gets treatment for a poisoning situation, the better. Some toxicities can cause pets to pass away within even half an hour, so there is no time to waste when you think your pet is showing signs of poisoning.

Dogs are more prone to heat stroke than other pets, but even livestock and cats can get heat stroke under certain conditions. Animals with heat stroke need care as soon as the signs of heat stroke are noted to survive. To avoid heat stroke in your pet, you should be careful about exercising animals or having them outside for long periods when it is very hot or humid outside. Always make sure to give your pet frequent breaks to cool down, lots of shade, and always make sure fresh water is available for them to drink.

It’s important to know that heat stroke can strike pets of all ages and breeds, so assuming that a puppy will not fall victim to the heat is incorrect. However, older dogs and breeds with short faces, like bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers, are predisposed.

Contact 24/7 Local Veterinarian for Any Common Pet Emergency in Oak Brook

It is important to always be aware of the location of the closest emergency veterinary hospital to your home in case an emergency occurs with your pets. Emergencies can happen when you least expect them and can happen in the middle of the night, or over the weekend. Remember that it is always helpful to call the emergency clinic before you arrive so that they can best prepare for your pet’s arrival.  Contact  24/7 Local Veterinarian by calling one of our locations. We are open 24/7 every day of the year to help people and their pets when they need it most.