Top 6 Most Common Pet Emergencies in Dallas, TX

If you live in Dallas, Texas, and you own a pet, you may wonder just what you need to know about taking care of your furry family member in North Texas. Although some common pet emergencies remain nation- and even worldwide issues, Dallas poses some of its own risks you should be aware of as a pet owner in Texas.

Common Pet Emergencies in Dallas, TX

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common pet emergencies you and your pet may face in this area. With this information, you can be more well-prepared to handle anything that might come your way.

Heatstroke

It gets very hot in Dallas during the summer, and pets may suffer from heatstroke quickly in these conditions. The temperature does not have to be in an “extreme” range for heatstroke to occur. Additionally, never leave a pet unattended in the car during the summer for any length of time—not even for just a minute or two—in order to prevent this potentially fatal condition.

Pets may start to pant or drool excessively in the early stages of heatstroke. They will often vomit or retch, as well as have significant diarrhea. They may also have difficulty breathing, may be restless, or may alternately be unable to rouse at all.

While all breeds are susceptible to heatstroke, we do find that overweight and brachycephalic (smooshed-face dogs like pugs and bulldogs) dogs are far more likely to experience this condition.

If your pet shows these symptoms, contact an emergency vet in Dallas, TX right away.

Snake Bites

Dallas is home to a variety of venomous snakes and unfortunately, many pets are bitten by these snakes every year, which is why this is considered one of the common pet emergencies for this area.

If your pet spends any time outdoors unattended, even just in the backyard, he is at a potential risk for suffering a snake bite and may need to see an emergency vet depending on the severity.

Some pets are able to recover fairly easily from a snake bite on their own. However, if you notice that your dog has been bitten by a snake, you should take him to the vet or to an emergency vet right away. He may experience anaphylactic shock or suffer from severe poisoning, depending on the snake and his own response.

Symptoms are variable, but may include severe swelling, bruising, two small bleeding wounds, or simply not acting himself.

Allergic Reactions

Dallas is also full of potential allergens that can cause severe allergic reactions in pets. Pets who are badly allergic to these substances may develop anaphylaxis or could even go into anaphylactic shock.

This is considered a common pet emergency because both of these conditions are extremely serious and could be potentially fatal if left untreated.

Pets showing signs of anaphylaxis may have swelling at the site of the allergen (if they are bitten or stung by something), or they may have swelling in the face and snout. They may have difficulty breathing, could become anxious and restless, or could lose consciousness.

Get your pet to an emergency vet right away if he shows any of these symptoms.

Physical Trauma

Unfortunately, many pets are injured physically in a variety of ways in Dallas every year. Vehicle injuries are one of the most common of these pet emergencies, followed by injuries sustained by fights with other animals. This is one of the many reasons why pets should not be allowed to roam free outdoors unattended.

Of course, some physical injuries can still happen at home, too. If your pet suffers a physical injury such as a broken bone, an open wound, or a known bite from another animal, take him to the vet.

Eye Injuries

Pets’ eyes are very sensitive and are often more prone to sustaining injuries than other parts of their bodies. Because of this, many vet offices in Dallas and around the world see pets with eye injuries on a regular basis.

Your pet might sustain an eye injury from a fight with another animal or simply from playing like usual in the backyard. He may even run into something indoors and hurt his eye.

If anything happens to your pet’s eyes, he should see an emergency vet in Dallas for best results. Eyes are very sensitive and injuries can get worse quickly, necessitating emergency care.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea

Finally, vomiting is another common emergency that leads Dallas-based pet owners to take their pets to the emergency vet frequently. Vomiting can sometimes be a symptom of almost everything else on this list, but regardless of its cause, it requires immediate veterinary treatment in many cases.

If a pet vomits once or twice, this may not be an emergency. However, if a pet vomits several times in a row or can’t stop vomiting, he may become dehydrated quickly and will need IV fluids in order to survive.

Take a pet with substantial vomiting to the vet right away, along with any information about what might have caused this problem, as there may be a serious underlying concern.

Go to VEG for Any Common Pet Emergencies in Dallas, TX

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about which pet emergencies you might someday need to deal with in Dallas, TX, you can be more prepared to handle these situations. Remember, too, that it’s important to locate a high-quality emergency vet no matter where you live, so you can have a resource for times when your pet faces an emergency after hours.

At VEG, we provide the essential emergency care your pet needs when they need it most. Our emergency veterinarians are available seven days a week to make sure your pet never has to wait to receive the care they need. We’re opening a new location soon in Dallas, and are looking forward to becoming your trusted emergency vet whenever your pet needs us.