What is an Emergency?

An emergency is an accident or sudden illness.

Some examples of emergency symptoms or situations:

• Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Persistent coughing
• Persistent sneezing
• Pale gums
• Painful
• Burns or electrical shock
• Gunshot
• Antifreeze exposure
• Obvious yellow cast in eye or of skin
• Ingestion of foreign object
• Sudden painful or obvious eye problems
• Blood in stool and/or urine
• Absence of appetite
• Excessive salivation
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Straining to urinate
• Sudden loss of consciousness/collapse
• Smoke inhalation
• Abnormal nasal discharge
• Labored breathing
• Sudden, severe lameness
• Tremor or convulsive seizure
• Prolonged labor
• Suspected poisoning
• Bleeding
• Injury
• Abdominal Bloating
• Hit by Car
• Severe facial swelling and/or hives

If you notice any of these symptoms, or your pet has been in any of these situations you should seek veterinary care immediately. Do not wait for the condition to worsen.

Your regular veterinarian should treat an illness that does not have a sudden onset. Routine vaccinations, worming, elective surgeries, etc. will not be performed at APEC.