Can It Wait Until Morning? Knowing When To Rush Your Dog To The Animal Hospital

Perhaps the most difficult question for any responsible dog owner to answer is whether or not their sick dog's need for vet services can wait until the morning or if they need to rush them to a local animal hospital for immediate care. After all, no one wants to be responsible for their dog's prolonged suffering. However, like traditional emergency care, veterinary emergency care will come with a premium price tag. Consequently, you only want to use these services when absolutely necessary. If your pet's condition does not warrant the need for immediate attention, you will want to wait until your veterinary office opens in the morning to schedule an appointment. Thankfully, the information outlined below can help you to decide whether or not your dog's care can in fact wait until morning or if they should be seen immediately. 

Your Dog Is Lethargic

When discussing the need for emergency care, you will often hear the word lethargic to describe an animal's behavior. The problem is many pet owners confuse lethargic behavior with lazy behavior. A pet that is just kind of laying around and not really showing any interest in play is displaying lazy behavior. While this behavior may be a result of them not feeling well, this symptom alone does not warrant the need for emergency care. On the other hand, a dog who is refusing or is unable to even stand to use the bathroom, who is not showing interest in either food or water, and who is physically struggling to perform virtually any task is behaving in a lethargic manner. This type of behavior should be addressed immediately at your local animal hospital.

Presence Of Blood In Bodily Fluids

There are a wide variety of illnesses that can strike a dog's digestive system. Many of these illnesses will result in vomiting, diarrhea, or both. While this can be concerning and will definitely warrant a call to the vet once they open, you will not need to rush right off to the hospital unless you notice blood in either of these bodily fluids. The presence of blood in your dog's stool or vomit can be a sign of internal bleeding and should be addressed right away. 

Labored Breathing

If your dog is struggling to breathe, you will not want to wait to have them seen by a vet. To determine whether or not your pet is truly struggling to breathe or if they are merely breathing heavily due to discomfort, take a few moments to observe their chest. If you see a significant increase in the intensity with which their chest rises and falls, this is a sign of truly labored breath and will warrant the need for emergency vet services. 

Contact a local animal hospital if you notice any of these symptoms.


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