Knowing When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care for a Limping Pet
Typically, when your pet experiences lameness, it can wait until regular veterinary hours for treatment. However, there are certain circumstances where immediate attention is necessary, and you should head to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Signs of lameness in pets that require emergency care include:
– Dragging a limb
– Not bearing weight on a limb
– Extreme lethargy
– Uncontrollable bleeding
– Excessive swelling
– Excessive vocalization
– Sudden worsening of a limp
If your pet has minor lameness but also displays concerning symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, they may need emergency treatment for the underlying cause rather than just the limp itself.
Various causes of lameness in pets may require immediate care. While a muscle sprain or strain can be concerning, rushing to the emergency hospital is not necessary. However, there are conditions that demand urgent attention, including:
– Fractured limb
– Paresis or paralysis of one or more limbs
– Deep or large wounds that won’t stop bleeding
– Venomous insect or snake bite
– Involvement in a car accident
– Engaging in a dog fight
In some cases, the injuries may not appear severe, but there could be internal issues that require treatment. For instance, a pet hit by a car with minor external injuries and a slight limp may have damage to their liver, spleen, kidneys, or bladder that necessitates intensive hospitalization.
Another situation that requires emergency treatment is when a pet is bitten by another animal. Although puncture wounds may seem small, they can quickly become infected. Moreover, if a pet shakes your injured pet aggressively, it can cause significant tissue damage, leading to a serious problem.
Determining whether your pet, who has become three-legged due to the limp, needs immediate care can be challenging. Therefore, it’s advisable to contact our team to discuss your pet’s condition. We can provide guidance on whether they require emergency treatment.