Factors That Indicate You Should Visit An Emergency Vet
It can be upsetting when something seems wrong with your pet, regardless of what type of animal you have. It's important for you to be able to stay calm and assess what your next steps should be. The most critical thing is to decide whether you should set an appointment to visit your veterinarian in the next few days or to drop what you're doing and take your pet to a local emergency vet right away. You don't want to make the latter decision unless your pet is legitimately facing an emergency. Here are some factors that can help you decide how to proceed.
How Long The Issue Has Been Occurring
The length of time that the issue has been occurring is something to consider when you're evaluating whether you should visit an emergency vet or make a regular appointment to see your vet. For example, if your dog has failed to move its bowels for a day, this isn't nearly as much of a concern as if the pet hasn't moved its bowels in several days. If something concerning has been happening for a prolonged period of time, it's generally best to see an emergency veterinarian instead of waiting any longer to get a regular appointment with your vet.
Level Of The Pet's Discomfort
You'll also want to consider the level of the pet's discomfort when you assess how you should proceed. You don't want your pet to be in pain any longer than necessary. If it appears to be in pain or is experiencing some other type of serious distress, visiting the emergency vet will be your best course of action. If the pet isn't showing any signs of discomfort, a regular vet visit may be appropriate. Remember, there are several indicators that a pet can be experiencing pain. Some animals can become aggressive when they're hurt or sick, while others may tremble.
The Pet's Health History
It's also useful to consider the pet's health history when you're trying to decide what type of veterinary care will be best. If the pet is showing indicators of an issue that it has dealt with in the past, you may have a better idea of how to proceed. For example, if you visited your regular vet during the last incident but they told you to visit an emergency vet should the issue occur again, you'll know what to do. If you need to find an emergency vet, look online to locate a local clinic, such as Animal Emergency Clinic.