When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care for a Limping Pet
Typically, your pet’s lameness can be addressed during regular veterinary hours. However, specific conditions, coupled with limping, necessitate an immediate visit to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Signs of lameness in pets that require emergency care
If your beloved companion exhibits any of the following signs, it is essential to go to the emergency room:
- Dragging a limb
- Inability to bear weight on a limb
- Extreme lethargy
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Excessive swelling
- Excessive vocalization
- Sudden worsening of a limp
If your pet experiences minor lameness along with concerning symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, they may require emergency treatment for the underlying cause, rather than focusing solely on the limp.
Causes of lameness in pets that require emergency care
Pets may become lame due to various reasons, some of which demand immediate attention. While a muscle sprain or strain is concerning, rushing to the nearest emergency hospital is not necessary. However, certain conditions do require urgent care, including:
- Fractured limb
- Paresis or paralysis of one or more limbs
- Deep or large wounds that do not stop bleeding
- Venomous insect or snake bite
- Involvement in a car accident
- Engaging in a dog fight
Although some of these situations may not initially seem severe, internal complications could arise that necessitate treatment. For instance, if your pet is hit by a car and displays only minor road rash and a slight limp, a comprehensive examination may reveal damage to vital organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or bladder, requiring intensive hospitalization.
Another common scenario requiring emergency treatment is a pet that has been bitten by another animal. Puncture marks may appear insignificant, but the wounds can quickly become infected. Additionally, if a pet aggressively grabs and shakes your pet, significant damage to underlying tissues can occur, leading to a rapid escalation of a serious problem.
Determining whether your loyal companion, who has transitioned from being a four-legged pet to a three-legged one, requires emergency care can be challenging. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our team to discuss your pet’s condition. We can provide guidance and advise you on whether immediate emergency treatment is necessary.