Know when to get HELP
Recognizing an emergency will save time, money and, maybe, your pet's life
BY DR. MARTY BECKER and _GINA SPADAFORI Correspondent
Spend any time at a veterinary emergency hospital and you'll see that some people who bring their pets in didn't need to - the condition was minor and could have waited until morning.

MORGAN ONG / UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE Homes with pets should have a first-aid kit for animals among emergency supplies.

But then you worry about the people you don't see: those who don't recognize a truly life-threatening illness in their pets. Will those pets make it until morning? And how much suffering will they endure until then?

A really sick pet may be pretty obvious, as with an animal who has been in a bloody fight or has broken bones after being hit by a car. But not all medical emergencies are as obvious, so how can you tell the difference?

First and foremost: Call your veterinarian (or an emergency veterinary clinic if it's after hours). It's better to make a call, or even a trip, you needn't have made than to put your pet's life at risk. Normal findings and peace of mind are, as they say, "priceless."

Otherwise, taking your "ain't doing right" pet's temperature is a good place to start figuring out if more help is needed. Normal is between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit for dogs and cats. Anything below 99 or above 103 is worth checking with a veterinarian, day or night.

Some other "see the vet now" indicators include seizure, fainting or collapse, as well as any suspected poisoning (including antifreeze, rodent poison, snail bait or human medication). Snake or spider bites, too, demand immediate attention. Cats in particular can be fatally sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medications that are safe for dogs), petroleum-based products or medications such as Tylenol.

Sometimes situations that might not seem urgent really are, such as eye injuries or allergic reactions - swelling around the face or hives. A single incident of vomiting or diarrhea is probably nothing, but anything more than two or three times within an hour or so could indicate a serious problem. Other signs of possibly serious conditions are breathing problems, chronic coughing or difficulties urinating or defecating, the latter especially in cats.

Animals can sometimes seem fine after accidents, even after being hit by a car, exposed to extreme heat or cold, or being cut or bitten. Even if your pet looks OK, you need to take him to a veterinarian right away to check for internal injuries that can kill if left untreated.

There are also situations that may not be life-threatening but are certainly painful enough to warrant immediate veterinary attention. Some of the signs of an animal in pain include panting, labored breathing, lethargy or restlessness, loss of appetite, aggression, hiding or crying out.

While it may be possible to wait until your regular veterinarian is available when the problem is "only" pain, put yourself in your pet's place. Would you want to hurt all night if you could get relief sooner?

Of course not, so we're back to the first point: When in doubt, call the vet.