caring for an elderly dog
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caring for an elderly dog

When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.

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caring for an elderly dog

Should You Take Your Cat To The Emergency Vet Clinic

Lucy Grant

Cats, like people, get sick from time to time. But, when your cat is sick, how do you know whether you should make an appointment with its normal vet or take your cat to the vet clinic to be seen and treated immediately? Check out the information below to help you determine whether or not your cat needs to visit the nearest vet clinic.

Difficulty Breathing

It's important for your cat to see a veterinarian immediately if he or she is having trouble breathing, which isn't always easy to determine. A few things to look for include:

  • Heaving sides
  • Breathing with his or her mouth open
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Abnormal respiratory sounds

Basically, if your cat looks or sounds like he or she is breathing funny, you should skip the appointment and take your pet straight to the vet clinic.

Not Eating or Drinking

Cats turn up their noses at food for several reasons, and if your cat refuses to eat or drink, it doesn't necessarily mean that your cat is ill. Many cats refuse food and/or water if they aren't in familiar surroundings, have recently had a vaccination, or if they are feeling anxious or depressed. However, if your cat goes a full day without eating or drinking and you can't determine the cause of your cat's behavior, you need to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Not eating and drinking can be a sign of several illnesses, including:

  • Complications of diabetes
  • Kidney failure
  • Fatty liver
  • Intestinal obstruction

Cat Fights

If your cat has been in a fight with another cat, or any other animal, you should take him or her to the vet clinic immediately. While most wounds will heal on their own over time, a vet can use antibiotics to make the wounds heal faster. Also, your cat will need to be monitored to ensure that he or she hasn't contracted a disease, such as rabies, from the other animal.

Vomiting or Diarrhea

All cats vomit and get diarrhea from time to time. In fact, there is usually a harmless explanation for it, such as a hairball, eating too fast, or eating a new food. Typically, these things aren't anything to worry about, and can be discussed with your regular veterinarian. However, if your cat vomit repeatedly throughout the day, for several days in a row, or has blow-out diarrhea it could indicate that your cat is having problems with his or her kidneys. So, you should take your cat to the emergency vet clinic instead of waiting for a regular vet appointment. 

The fact is, not all illnesses or accidents require you to take you cat to an emergency vet clinic, but there are times that you skip the appointment and go to the clinic immediately. Just remember, you know your cat better than anyone, use your best judgement to determine whether you have time to make an appointment with your normal vet or if your cat needs to be seen at the vet clinic (such as Pet Medical Center – Full Service Veterinary Care) as soon as possible.


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