Veterinary emergencies are quite common; hardly a day goes by when a veterinary clinic is not called upon to treat a pet that has been rushed in. In the greatest majority of cases, these pets need the care of an emergency veterinarian in Chicago but there are others that could have waited.
When is it a true emergency, when do you need to get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible? There are a couple of ways that veterinarians assess these situations.
Classifications of need:
A catchall definition of an animal emergency is one where there is a need for immediate treatment for injuries or sudden illnesses. The aim of an emergency veterinarian in Chicago is to:
- Preserve the life of the pet
- Prevent unnecessary suffering, and
- To prevent the situation from worsening
Usually, the staff at the veterinarian clinic have been trained to classify emergency calls:
Life-threatening: Situations of this nature require immediate attention, at times the pet owner will be given instructions to follow while the pet is in transit. Situations that fall into this classification include breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, burns, eye injuries, poisoning, etc.
Immediate action required: In situations like this the animals life is not in immediate danger. These may include broken bones, difficulty in urinating or birthing problems.
Minor emergencies: In most cases, the emergency veterinarian in Chicago can provide the pet owner with enough advice that he or she can make the animal comfortable until they are able to visit the clinic during normal hours of operation. Minor wounds or limping are typical examples.
Planning for an emergency:
There is no way to predict when your pet will become seriously sick or injured. As the owner, you should know in advance what your veterinarian’s policy is regarding emergencies. Make sure you know where the clinic is located and the quickest way to get there. It is always a good idea to have all your pets health records immediately available, the information will mean a great deal to the vet.
If your pet is ill or injured you may need the services of an emergency veterinarian in Chicago. You are invited to contact Village West Veterinary for immediate assistance.
