This was the case for Timmy, a four-year-old male cat that arrived at the Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush for severe bleeding on the leg indicative of a cat fight injury sustained when roaming outside some days before. He was lethargic and weak, and his gums were very pale.
Timmy was rushed into the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where emergency blood tests indicated he had a severe blood clotting disorder and was severely anaemic. Timmy went into shock from the amount of blood lost and, despite receiving intravenous (IV) fluids, the blood was seeping through his bandages. He needed an urgent blood transfusion to save his life.
Every pet owner at some stage in their pet's life will be faced with a pet illness, disease or emergency. When things go unexpectedly wrong, time is critical and getting to an emergency veterinary centre right away can mean the difference between life and death.
This was the case for Timmy, a four-year-old male cat that arrived at the Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush for severe bleeding on the leg indicative of a cat fight injury sustained when roaming outside some days before. He was lethargic and weak, and his gums were very pale.
Timmy was rushed into the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where emergency blood tests indicated he had a severe blood clotting disorder and was severely anaemic. Timmy went into shock from the amount of blood lost and, despite receiving intravenous (IV) fluids, the blood was seeping through his bandages. He needed an urgent blood transfusion to save his life.
Following 12 hours of multiple blood transfusions, the bleeding finally stopped and blood tests came back normal.
"We suspected Timmy ate some form of anti-coagulant rat bait whilst wandering outside of home and fighting with a cat," says Dr Dana Pollock, the attending emergency veterinarian at the ARH. "We started antidote treatment for the poisoning while he was receiving blood transfusions and antibiotics, and planned to continue the antidote for rat bait for six weeks until the poison fully cleared from the body."
If Timmy's owners had not brought him to an emergency veterinary centre, he would have undoubtedly died overnight.
Be ready for an emergency
"When selecting an emergency veterinary centre, it's important that it's close by, available 24 hours a day, and the centre has everything that is likely to be needed in an emergency," says ARH General Manager Troy James.
If your pet's problem seems serious or overnight care may be required, you can save valuable time by heading straight for your local emergency veterinary centre, he adds.
"An emergency centre isn't like a general vet practice," Mr James says. "It's busy and everything seems to happen quickly."
Whether it's a trauma case or medical emergency, the first few minutes of a pet's arrival is critical, says Dr Pollock.
"Triage helps to decide which patient is seen based on the urgency of their condition," she says. "Prioritising in performing specific tests, setting up supportive measures (such as the IV drip) and getting as much information as possible from the owners, all contribute to saving lives."
An emergency centre vs. general veterinary hospital
Emergency veterinary centres differ from general veterinary practices in many ways. Emergency vets, nurses and support staff have undertaken additional training in emergency and critical care, and become very skilled at diagnosing and treating emergency cases from ongoing exposure to such cases, Mr James says.
"The vast majority of emergency vets attend regular seminars and continuing education designed for emergency medicine and critical care," says Dr Scott Smith emergency veterinary at ARH. "Having certified, emergency and critical care specialist nurses also leads to good standards of practice (in emergency departments)."
In an emergency department the vets and nurses never sleep, providing your animal with around-the-clock care when they need it most. Emergency departments are often located in or connected to large veterinary specialist hospitals.
This means the vet who sees your pet is supported by a range of board-certified specialists in areas, such as internal medicine, surgery, ophthalmology and oncology. The emergency centre also has access to a fully-equipped laboratory onsite for rapid results, Mr James says.
Emergency vet centres house a number of emergency care equipment that general veterinary practices may not have immediate access to, such as ventilators, ICU oxygen tents, defibrillators, endoscopes, ultrasounds and CTs.
"An extensive range of medications are also often not found in general vet practices due to the cost and infrequent use, such as anti-venom for snake bites, blood or plasma for transfusions," Mr James says.
Come morning, should the pet be stable, emergency vet hospitals work closely with the pet's regular veterinarian and organise a transfer back to their usual vet hospital for follow-up care.
Being prepared for an emergency
Being prepared for a pet emergency can help to save your pet's life when something goes wrong.
Have emergency contact phone numbers on display (i.e. fridge, board) for during business hours and the closest afterhours emergency centre.
If your pet has a detailed medical past, keep an updated copy of their medical history. This will often prevent tests needing to be repeated and provides the emergency vet with more information.
Many pet owners have been exposed to first aid in the workplace or have completed first aid certificates. Much of that human first aid applies to animals, but it is always best to get your pet examined by a vet.
Consider attending a first aid course aimed at helping your pet in an emergency.
Consider pet insurance as general and emergency care can be expensive.
The ARH will soon be offering first aid courses for pet owners at its conference facility in Homebush. For more information, contact the ARH on 9758 8666.
About The Animal Referral Hospital
The Animal Referral Hospital has launched a new era in veterinary care at its new state-of-the-art animal hospital in Homebush. It is the largest privately owned, 24-hour veterinary hospital in the southern hemisphere, offering pet owners an improved level of service with specialist care and advanced veterinary technology.
The ARH in Homebush can also accommodate pet owners who travel from the country and interstate at a hotel adjacent to the site – a short walk from Sydney's famous Paddy's Market.
The ARH in Baulkham Hills has been renovated with additional hospital and laboratory equipment to provide accurate and rapid results and provide an increased level of patient and client care, serving the West and Blue Mountains. The ARH currently employs nearly 100 staff over the two sites, including but not limited to general veterinarians, specialists and emergency nurses.
For more information or media interviews, please contact:
Troy James
General Manager
Animal Referral Hospital
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W 02 9758 8666
M 0410 647 974
or
Dr Sarah Goldsmid
Hospital Director
Animal Referral Hospital
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W 02 9758 8666
0407 494 463
