By:  Daniel Lantz, VMD

Below is our list of common emergency problems related to summer-fun activities:

• Play time at the park
  • Whether an act of defense, aggression, or just a misunderstanding over a toy – fights and bites happen.  Here is what you need to know!
    • What looks like a minor wound on the surface can be much worse than it seems!  A tooth or a nail can plant bacteria deep under the skin and cause a serious infection.  Don’t wait days to see your vet even if they seem okay – early treatment can prevent major complications from developing.
    • Always make sure that the animals involved in the fight are up to date on their rabies vaccination
  • Cuts can also happen from fences or on any sharp edges.  Again, early care with your vet can help to prevent major problems in the next several days.
• Backyard BBQ’s
  • Corn Cobs and Intestinal Blockages
    • An unfortunate number of dogs require emergency surgery due to an intestinal blockage from eating a corn cob.  Always be mindful of where not only your food is kept, but also your garbage!
    • Whether in the backyard, on a walk, or in your house – people leave things on the ground, and animals swallow those things.  If your pet is vomiting, not acting normally, or not interested in eating – these may all be signs of having an intestinal blockage which can be life threatening without emergency surgery.
  • Fireworks
    • Fireworks are not toys, but they may look like it to your dog!  Please keep your pets either inside or on a leash at all times when you are using sparklers or fireworks.  The noise may scare your pet so that it may not act normally, and your pet can suffer serious burns or wounds from fireworks.
• Splashing in the water
  • Fluid in the Lungs
    • Animals, just like people, can suffer from “dry drowning”.  If your pet was swimming earlier, and then develops signs of being tired, weak, or coughing, hacking, vomiting, or difficulty breathing – seek care with a veterinarian immediately
    • Depending on the body of water (pool or lakes/ponds), infections can also be a serious concern.  Some of these infections can infect both our pets and humans alike. If your pet is sick and does spend time in the water, or drinks from outside sources of water – be sure to mention this to your veterinarian.
• Feline Friends
  • Flowers are popular in the warm weather.  Lilies are severely toxic to cats!!  Lilies should never be in the same home as a cat, throw them away (keep the rest of your bouquet).

If you are unsure whether or not your pet is experiencing an emergency, our team is also available by phone 24/7 to help you determine whether or not your pet should seek emergency care