24-HOUR EMERGENCY VETERINARY HOSPITAL : WHY YOU SHOULD NOT WAIT TO SEEK VETERINARY CARE IF YOUR PET IS UNWELL

When your cat or dog is feeling unwell in the middle of the night, it can be a struggle to decide whether to rush to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital or wait until the next morning. Many pet owners have faced this dilemma. Vomiting or urinating inappropriately may seem common, but Dr. Julianna Yip, one of the Urgent Care and Emergency veterinarians at VSH, reminds owners that the sooner you bring your pet to seek veterinary care the better.

Dr. Julianna Yip, a member of the Urgent Care and Emergency Team at VSH. 

VOMITING AND DIARRHEA CAN QUICKLY BECOME LIFE-THREATENING

According to Dr. Julianna, “Cats and dogs have a natural instinct to hide their weaknesses. Therefore, when they show signs of discomfort, it indicates that they are already at a point where they can no longer tolerate it.” Dr. Julianna states that in Hong Kong, the most common reason for pets needing emergency treatment is vomiting and diarrhea.

When cats and dogs experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, these symptoms can be caused by minor gastrointestinal issues like dietary indiscretion, to more serious conditions such as viral infections, pancreatitis, or even intestinal blockages that may require surgical intervention. Dr. Julianna warns that in puppies and kittens, vomiting and diarrhea can quickly become life-threatening due to their small and more fragile bodies. “Young animals are more susceptible to complications such as low blood sugar, low body temperature, and blood pressure fluctuations, which can even lead to seizures and death.”Dr. Julianna said. Additionally, if you are a new pet owner and unaware of your new pet's detailed medical history, it is important not to underestimate the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

EVEN WITH A LOW FREQUENCY OF VOMITING, BRING THEM TO A VETERINARY EMERGENCY SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOUR PET IS OVERALL UNWELL

It is important to note that the severity of vomiting or diarrhea in otherwise healthy adult cats and dogs is not solely determined by the frequency of occurrence. Even if a pet vomits or has diarrhea only once or a few times, if they exhibit additional  symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, or pale gums, it is considered a more urgent situation. This is because what might have started off as a minor infection, can lead to secondary illnesses such as aspiration pneumonia or other serious complications causing a rapid decrease in white blood cells, and potentially result in death. Therefore, if a cat or dog is overall unwell, even with a low frequency of vomiting, it is recommended to bring them to a veterinary emergency service as soon as possible.

The color of a healthy cat or dog's gums and tongue should be pink. If the gums appear pale or white, it is a warning sign and immediate medical attention is necessary. This could indicate various underlying health issues.

There is a high risk of viral transmission, such as enteric viruses, among sick cats and dogs. Therefore, it is important to arrange for infected pets to be treated in isolation rooms to ensure the safety of other pets at the hospital and to receive round-the-clock monitoring and care from veterinarians, nurses, and technicians.

URINARY OBSTRUCTION CAN BE COMMON, BUT FATAL

Another symptom that requires immediate emergency treatment in pets is difficulty urinating, especially in male cats and dogs. They are more prone to urinary tract diseases due to their narrower and longer urethra. Frequent visits to the litter box with minimal urine output or painful vocalizations during urination could indicate a urinary obstruction.

VSH EMERGENCY SERVICE HAS ENCOUNTERED FOUR CASES OF CATS AND DOGS WITH URINARY OBSTRUCTION IN A SINGLE NIGHT

Urinary obstructions can be caused by bladder stones, tumors, or inflammation of the bladder wall due to stress. Dr. Julianna said, “There is a risk of rupture, which can lead to kidney inflammation if left untreated. Electrolyte imbalances can occur, causing high potassium levels and potentially resulting in sudden cardiac arrest and death.” VSH has encountered cases where CPR procedures were required for cats and dogs whose hearts had stopped due to urinary obstructions.

In VSH's emergency service, veterinary nurses are trained to assist veterinarians in basic examinations such as measuring blood pressure and are also required to obtain international RECOVER CPR certification to handle emergency situations.

ONE MAJOR FACTOR TO INCREASE SURVIVAL RATE IN PET EMERGENCIES

Survival rate in critical pet emergencies depends on a multitude of factors, but one major factor is time. Unlike regular veterinary clinics, veterinary emergency services  do not provide general check-ups or preventive vaccinations. Every animal that comes for treatment is in an emergency situation. Upon arrival, pets are assessed and triaged, their vital signs are checked. Treatment is prioritized based on the severity of the condition, meaning the more critical and unstable patients are attended to first. . The  24 Hour Outpatient and Emergency Services at VSH operates similarly to human emergency departments, with walk ins available and appointments are not required. VSH has a blood bank for cats and dogs, various state-of-the-art blood testing machines, including blood gas analyzers, which can provide multiple vital indices within a minute, as well as various diagnostic imaging modalities such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI. They also have facilities such as an oxygen cages, isolation wards, ICU, and specialized operating rooms, along with a team of veterinary board-certified specialists in order to provide comprehensive care should the pet needs further workup once the pet is stabilized.

It is disheartening that many pet owners miss the opportunity to save their pets by delaying seeking medical attention. Some owners attempt to comfort their pets at home by administering water or medication, which can lead to medication poisoning or aspiration pneumonia, causing further complications. Dr. Julianna has encountered cases where unfortunately owners brought their pets to the hospital too late. She recalls a heartbreaking incident where a pet owner held their pet, which was gradually becoming cold, and cried, asking if they had done something wrong. Dr. Julianna couldn't bear to tell them that if they had arrived at the emergency services even just a couple of hours earlier, the outcome might have been different.

The blood bank at VSH has stocked plasma and red blood cells, which can deal with various needs such as pet anemia, coagulation problems, internal or external bleeding, surgery, etc.

VSH 24 Hour Outpatient and Emergency Services 

VSH provides 24-hour Outpatient and Emergency Services in both their hospitals with a team of dedicated urgent care and emergency veterinarians and nurses 24 hours a day 7 days a week throughout the year. They have a blood bank for cats and dogs, providing plasma and red blood cell transfusions to patients in need. With various advanced blood testing machines, including blood gas analyzers, they can quickly assess multiple vital indices within a minute, as well as various diagnostic imaging modalities such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI. Both hospitals are equipped with oxygen cages, isolation wards, ICU and specialized operating rooms. VSH also has a team of veterinary board-certified specialists should the patient require further workup once stabilized. Working collaboratively along with your family veterinarian, VSH is dedicated to providing comprehensive and exceptional pet care.

VSH - Hong Kong:

Address: G/F - 2/F 165-171 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Contact: 2408 2588

Details: https://petahood.com/shop/S0058/veterinary-specialty-hospital

VSH - Kowloon:

Address: G/F - 1/F 7 Liberty Avenue, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

Contact: 2408 2588

Details: https://petahood.com/shop/S0168/veterinary-specialty-hospital-kowloon