:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"cat,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/1-2.png\")
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1. Vomiting<\/h4>\n
Dogs and\u00a0<\/span>cats<\/span>\u00a0vomit for\u00a0<\/span>several<\/span>\u00a0reasons.\u00a0<\/span>In fact, i<\/span>t\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>a common veterinary joke that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>cats<\/span>\u00a0vomit for sport!\u00a0<\/span>A single episode of vomiting typically doesn\u2019t require a trip to the animal ER.\u00a0<\/span>However,<\/span>\u00a0your pet should be seen if\u00a0<\/span>he or she has any of these<\/span>\u00a0abnormal vomiting signs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Blood in the vomit<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Vomit looks like coffee grounds<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Vomiting is ongoing for 12-24 hours<\/span><\/li>\n
- If you know your pet ate something they shouldn\u2019t have (such as a string, a toy, or something toxic).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Finding foreign material before it becomes obstructive or\u00a0<\/span>diagnosing<\/span>\u00a0diseases such as endocrine or metabolic disease can be\u00a0<\/span>lifesaving<\/span>\u00a0if\u00a0<\/span>done<\/span>\u00a0sooner rather than later.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2-2.png\")
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2. Swollen Abdomen<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nIs your dog\u2019s belly getting rounder, tense, and uncomfortable at an alarming rate?\u00a0<\/span>A swollen belly<\/span>\u00a0could be a sign of fluid build-<\/span>up<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0cancer, heart disease, or severe inflammation or infection in the abdomen.<\/span>\u00a0It may also mean air build-up in your pet\u2019s stomach and intestines which is life-threatening<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I<\/span>f these organs<\/span>\u00a0then<\/span>\u00a0twist on themselves<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your dog<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>may\u00a0<\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>require emergency surgery.<\/span><\/p>\nA urinary obstruction in cats, especially males, can sometimes cause the abdomen to appear slightly larger than normal.\u00a0<\/span>Urinary obstructions<\/span>\u00a0can become life-threatening<\/span>\u00a0very rapid<\/span>ly. If your male cat\u00a0<\/span>suddenly\u00a0<\/span>has a big belly or is vocalizing or straining while urinating, an ER visit is necessary.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4-2.png\")
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3. Gum Color<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nNormal gum (mucous membrane) color in dogs and cats is typically a bubble gum pink. If your pet\u2019s gums are\u00a0<\/span>a barely-there pale pink<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>white,\u00a0<\/span>purple, blue, or gray<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>emergent evaluation is needed.\u00a0<\/span>Abnormally colored gums signal<\/span>\u00a0poor circulation<\/span>, which\u00a0<\/span>can be caused by low red blood cells (anemia), poor blood pressure, or abnormal oxygenation.<\/span><\/p>\nNote:<\/em><\/strong> Some pets may have pigmented mucous membranes\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 meaning<\/span>\u00a0their\u00a0<\/span>skin\/<\/span>gums are naturally black or gray. In this case,<\/span>\u00a0gum color<\/span>\u00a0may be\u00a0<\/span>a less reliable indication of health<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0If you have questions, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital to discuss your concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-2021-04-28T100247.802.png\")
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4. Collapse<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nColla<\/span>p<\/span>se episodes or loss of consciousness\u00a0<\/span>may be caused by<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>severa<\/span>l\u00a0<\/span>issue<\/span>s;\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>eizures, sudden changes in\u00a0<\/span>heart rhythm\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>abnormal<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>blood<\/span>flow<\/span>\u00a0through the heart, or even anemia (low red blood cells)<\/span>\u00a0may cause collapse<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Your pet should be seen if they:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Lose consciousness (even\u00a0<\/span>for just a few\u00a0<\/span>seconds)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>un<\/span>responsive<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Behave abnormally<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Do<\/span>n\u2019<\/span>t seem aware of their environment<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"cat,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/3-2.png\")
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5. Difficulty Breathing<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/span>Your pet is experiencing respiratory distress if they:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Cannot catch their breath<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Are h<\/span>eaving or wheezing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Are<\/span>\u00a0sitting upright with head and neck extended \u2013 called\u00a0<\/span>
![\"sick](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/6-2.png\")
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