The minute that you purchase a dog you realize that the dog is not a pet, but a member of your family. With a new dog it is important that you take care of them in every way. You most likely have a meal plan and also have a shot schedule just to ensure the dog is healthy and happy.

These are all great ways to keep your dog healthy, but there are instances that occur that are not planned. Emergencies can happen, and it is up to you to know that it is an emergency. Here are a few different times when you should take a trip to the emergency veterinarian.

Change in Eating & Drinking

As the dog owner you understand the way that your dog eats. Putting the dog on a eating schedule is very important for the dog's health. However, if the dog all of the sudden changes eating habits it is important to take the dog into the veterinarian. There are many different things that could be wrong with the dog. If a dog will not eat it often means that there are kidney or liver problems. The first thing you should do is change the food your dog eats, but if that does not work, do not hesitate to take your dog into the veterinarian.

Trauma

Dogs are extremely tough animals, and sometimes it is easy to brush off a traumatic encounter. If your dog goes through any type of trauma whether it be falling of a ledge, getting in a dog fight, being hit by a car, or any other traumatic experience, do not hesitate to take the dog into clinics such as Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A. The dog may have serious internal damage that you can't see, but because dogs are so tough and strong you may not notice much of a change in behavior. 

Bloat

A common problem in dog's that can be an extreme emergency is bloat. This is a condition when the dog has an obstructed intestine. The intestine can become blocked by having a kinked intestine or even swallowing an object that will not digest. If you notice that your dog is restless, is in pain, is trying to vomit but unable to do so, or has bloody stool your dog may have bloat and it is time to act. If this condition is not taken care of very quickly, the problem can turn fatal.