Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County
![Dog and Woman Smiling Dog and Woman Smiling](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1MzjjBDYgn36P1Oa1B3bXC/0b266045a572f3380b260376a1d4ac76/Dog-with-woman.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=400&w=1366&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1MzjjBDYgn36P1Oa1B3bXC/0b266045a572f3380b260376a1d4ac76/Dog-with-woman.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=800&w=2732&q=72)
What Is An Emergency?
![Man checking golden retriever on table Man checking golden retriever on table](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/2uOyxYVkJv8Dznch3ydFzi/cc4a8cf26a89d4ac87c1851db394278b/AdobeStock_248616529.jpeg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=480&w=782&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/2uOyxYVkJv8Dznch3ydFzi/cc4a8cf26a89d4ac87c1851db394278b/AdobeStock_248616529.jpeg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=960&w=1564&q=72)
Identifying A Pet Emergency
Not every health problem your pet encounters will require emergency medical care. With some illnesses and injuries, symptoms may develop slowly or seem minor on the surface, making it challenging to determine if immediate medical care is needed. If you feel your pet may need emergency medical care, we have compiled the following information to help you assess the care your pet needs.
Emergency Symptoms
![Dog laying down Dog laying down](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5Lguz2Z5HFBAp53AXkFq3g/f27fc604e0d4506db84d38afb8123392/NVA-Pug-Cuddle.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5Lguz2Z5HFBAp53AXkFq3g/f27fc604e0d4506db84d38afb8123392/NVA-Pug-Cuddle.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Bleeding, Trauma, Lethargy, Pain, or Disorientation
Trauma can include acute swelling anywhere on the body, wounds or lacerations, and any bite wounds
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![A woman feeding a fluffy cat outside A woman feeding a fluffy cat outside](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/E9FA1pQnA0L3N3PqyPmkM/8c01a8576e110269c27d91f3d6a9ed21/NVA-City-Cat-Woman-food.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/E9FA1pQnA0L3N3PqyPmkM/8c01a8576e110269c27d91f3d6a9ed21/NVA-City-Cat-Woman-food.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Vomiting or Diarrhea
There are many causes of vomiting in our pets. Initially, if your pet does vomit, withhold food and water for several hours. NO milk. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK.
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![A small tan dog sitting on an exam table, getting a checkup, and shaking a paw with a female veterinarian A small tan dog sitting on an exam table, getting a checkup, and shaking a paw with a female veterinarian](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5dgQoqjecx7WFVifAP8IV3/026fa67b823aaf249e40e43484ad7b04/ekg-dog-shake.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5dgQoqjecx7WFVifAP8IV3/026fa67b823aaf249e40e43484ad7b04/ekg-dog-shake.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Consumption of Toxins/Poisoning
In general, any products that are harmful to people are also toxic to animals.
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![A brown and white dog in a grassy park with tongue out A brown and white dog in a grassy park with tongue out](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5OgdyuYZ5McAOXUV4zLjuY/442de4d038d3c1359d22d7f8a7703094/cosmetic-surgery-bulldog.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/5OgdyuYZ5McAOXUV4zLjuY/442de4d038d3c1359d22d7f8a7703094/cosmetic-surgery-bulldog.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Ingestion of Foreign Objects
“Foreign bodies” are objects pets may eat, which subsequently get “stuck” in their stomachs or intestines.
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![Cat and dog cuddling in a grass field Cat and dog cuddling in a grass field](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/3QvbmdKwxwVB7Nmh7Ipg3x/a103bc931de930e3fe67227bdf9f3508/wellness-cat-dog-grass.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/3QvbmdKwxwVB7Nmh7Ipg3x/a103bc931de930e3fe67227bdf9f3508/wellness-cat-dog-grass.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Seizures & Convulsions
Seizures and convulsions are scary for pet owners to watch, and they can result in serious injuries in a cat or dog who has lost muscle control due to the seizure.
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![Cat with bright blue eyes looking up Cat with bright blue eyes looking up](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/3Ywfuw88FCP30nOQ3yW6lx/8cdb2748fa737cf7af838fb8820ad4ed/NVA-Studio-Cat-Blue_Eyes-Looking_Up_and_Sitting-Right.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/3Ywfuw88FCP30nOQ3yW6lx/8cdb2748fa737cf7af838fb8820ad4ed/NVA-Studio-Cat-Blue_Eyes-Looking_Up_and_Sitting-Right.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Eye Problems
Eye problems in pets can often be more serious than they appear, so they should never be ignored.
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![A fluffy brown dog wearing white sunglasses indoors A fluffy brown dog wearing white sunglasses indoors](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/ZXEQS9VfaqRiRVEhvf9gz/1c8186496a1b711f674ac0d8bb67b4dc/domestic-health-certificates-dog-sunglasses.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/ZXEQS9VfaqRiRVEhvf9gz/1c8186496a1b711f674ac0d8bb67b4dc/domestic-health-certificates-dog-sunglasses.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Heatstroke
Did you know that on sunny days with temperatures at 70° or above, the temperature inside your car can soar to intolerable levels for your family pet? Additionally, when your pets are left outdoors in a non-shaded area, the heat can quickly cause serious health complications.
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![A woman outside smiling and holding a dog in her arms A woman outside smiling and holding a dog in her arms](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/Lp9qlCdIg0fSj8pP4YUdl/5f5dee75fd87dcfb5500a943fa465892/behavioral-medicine-dog.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/Lp9qlCdIg0fSj8pP4YUdl/5f5dee75fd87dcfb5500a943fa465892/behavioral-medicine-dog.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Drowning
Near-drowning is determined by an event that involves prolonged submersion in water, followed by survival for at least 24 hours afterward.
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![Puppy on examination table being examined with stethoscope Puppy on examination table being examined with stethoscope](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1fsvX5CuCGoNbXgQKE17pi/87914428769772bda0198b75aa34f5f9/Beth_Gruber_-_cardiology-puppy-stethoscope.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=210&w=236&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1fsvX5CuCGoNbXgQKE17pi/87914428769772bda0198b75aa34f5f9/Beth_Gruber_-_cardiology-puppy-stethoscope.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=420&w=472&q=72)
Coughing or Respiratory Distress
Dogs cough for many reasons, including allergies, tracheal disease (collapse), lung disease, or the lodging of a foreign material/object in the windpipe.
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![Cat being examined Cat being examined](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/4f7p2hI8J89V0DkJ3Aika3/55390299f0874898cb69109216b8fc3e/Cat-internal-medicine-60-40.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=480&w=782&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/4f7p2hI8J89V0DkJ3Aika3/55390299f0874898cb69109216b8fc3e/Cat-internal-medicine-60-40.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=960&w=1564&q=72)
Be Prepared for a Pet Emergency
If your pet has an ongoing medical problem that could result in a sudden emergency, make sure that you keep pertinent medical records easily accessible, so the Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County can review them.
Keep your veterinarian’s phone number on your phone in case of an emergency.
Know basic first aid tips for pets. Ask our veterinarians for these tips ahead of time at your next visit.