Your pet is like a member of the family, and no one wants to see a member of the family feeling sick. If your pet has an upset stomach, they could exhibit distressing symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, leaving you to wonder if you need to rush your pet to the emergency room or if you can wait a day or two for a regular veterinary visit. There are some cases where an upset stomach is a cause for concern, and others where your pet may just have a stomach bug. Read on to find out when symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea in your pet should be considered an emergency.
Check Your Pet’s Symptoms
If your dog or cat has an upset stomach, they may have less energy and be less exuberant than they usually are. This is a natural reaction to vomiting or diarrhea, so it’s not automatically a cause for concern. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms accompanying the signs of an upset stomach, you should visit your veterinarian right away:
- If the vomiting lasts for more than 12 hours or the diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours.
- You see blood or visible parasites/worms in your pet’s vomit or stool.
- Your pet won’t eat multiple meals in a row or can’t keep food down for an extended period of time.
- Your pet vomits or has diarrhea multiple times in a short time span.
- Your pet has noticeable lethargy and/or has trouble standing or walking.
Contact Your Veterinarian Today
Your veterinarian is your best resource for helping your pet recover from a bout of vomiting or diarrhea. If your pet is displaying more serious symptoms, it’s essential to contact an emergency veterinary hospital right away to find the root cause of the problem. Your veterinarian can rule out any serious underlying issues and prescribe a course of treatment to get your pet feeling better as soon as possible.
