He's Just Not Right: Emergencies

It's Labor Day holiday weekend and I am off for 2.5 days. The Todd area of the NC Mountains awaits me for a leisurely weekend of hiking and rafting. For fun there is the drive to Damascus, VA to cycle down White Mountain on the Virginia Creeper trail. Then it was over to Abington, VA for the Barter Theatre play, “Ring of Fire,” detailing the Johnny Cash story through his songs.  Later in the evening, I went back to Todd for a Sunday hiking adventure.

Sunday morning starts with a cup of coffee watching the sunrise over the mountains. Normally the dogs are begging for ball tosses/retrieving.  Except today, the hostess’s  Golden Retriever that accompanied us on daily hikes – averaging 30 tennis ball throws a day–  is AWOL.

I am alarmed as a vet that my host's beloved companion is not himself and hiding. On physical exam, his color is off (pale gums) and he hides from the sister Golden. Do you wait 2 days for a veterinary exam with vague signs currently present? Or do I recommend my hostess find emergency care in Boone since there is no veterinary equipment in my car? The decision was made to drive to the emergency room.

Sitting in the waiting room the sadness is palpable: the 17 year old cat in renal failure brought in by daughter/ caretaker for an assisted living owner after a 2 year struggle. Next to her was a young couple holding a beagle with bloody diarrhea and suspected Parvo. The dachshund with an eye ulcer now wearing the collar/satellite dish waits patiently to see if additional treatment is needed.

It is hard to be a client and not the doctor in charge. Quickly a support group of pet owners was cultivated, offering each other mutual bonding and opinions. Frankly it was a club in which no one wanted membership on a Sunday afternoon. The long wait seems like hours for the pet owners who wonder if good or bad news await them. Others, trying to avoid a painful, upcoming memorial anniversary, want to make a quality of life decision today for their frail pet.

WHAT DID I LEARN FROM THIS UNEXPECTED VISIT TO A VETERINARY EMERGENCY HOSPITAL?

Be prepared to wait. Life threatening emergencies will take precedent.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

A picture of current medications or bring them along with your pet and any pertinent history.

HOW CAN YOU ACCESS VERIFICATION OF IMMUNIZATION RECORDS?

Set up an ePetHealth account through the www.creaturecomfortsvet.com website.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE BACK WITH YOU TO YOUR REGULAR VETERINARIAN?

Any lab test results, digital images such as radiographs, and follow-up recommendations.

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline

Hospital Director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

My thanks for Mavis Davis and her dog Milo showing off summer eyewear to provide an upbeat ending. Next week I will share what happened with my friend's dog.