General Health Care

A seizure is any sudden and uncontrolled movement of the animal’s body caused by abnormal brain activity. Seizures may be very severe and affect all of the body, or quite mild, affecting only a portion of the pet. The pet may or may not seem conscious or responsive, and may urinate or have a bowel movement.

Body temperature may be elevated because of an infection (fever), but it may also increase because of hot and/or humid conditions outside. An increased body temperature caused by environmental conditions is commonly referred to as hyperthermia, heatstroke, or heat prostration.

Diarrhea is the frequent evacuation of watery stools. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. What to do…

Any insect or spider can cause problems if they bite or sting your pet. A bite or sting can cause swelling, redness, and itching. Some animals can have an allergic reaction to a sting or bite that may result in mild hives, facial swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing or even collapse.

Difficulty breathing is also called dyspnea and is a medical emergency. Respiratory distress is recognized by increased effort to breathe; noisy or squeaky breathing; and cyanosis (a bluish tinge to the lips, tongue, and mucous membranes). In cats, breathing with the mouth open (panting like a dog) is a sign of severe distress and should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away.

Pet owners should know how to safely stop hemorrhage (bleeding) if their pet is injured.

If you notice any of the following: Your pet squinting or protecting an eye Any suspected trauma to the eye Abnormal appearance of the eyeball Excessive redness to the white part of the eye (sclera) Any time the eyelid cannot cover the eyeball You should seek veterinary attention immediately as these signs can indicate potentially serious eye problems that can risk your pet’s vision.