Pet Respiratory Emergency Care in Rancho Cucamonga

Seeing your pet in respiratory distress can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency veterinary hospital you can trust to support your pet in their time of need. At PetEmerg Emergency Animal Hospital, we understand how important your pet’s health and well-being are, which is why we provide compassionate, round-the-clock care designed to get your pet back to their happy, healthy self.

With three veterinarians on-site at all times and a variety of diagnostic and treatment options available, we’re here to provide the care your pet needs. Whether your pet is having repeated asthma attacks or is showing signs of congestive heart failure, our team can help 24/7, with no appointment needed. Visit us today for the swift assistance your pet deserves!

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Signs Your Pet Is Experiencing Respiratory Distress

Respiratory distress is a condition that requires prompt attention in order to provide potentially life-saving interventions. While there can be several causes of respiratory distress, the most important things to look out for are the symptoms that indicate that something is wrong. When several of these signs appear together, it may indicate a pet respiratory emergency:

Persistent coughing
Reverse sneezing
White or blue gums
Lethargy
Labored breathing or wheezing
Lowered tolerance for exercise
Decreased appetite

Diagnosing & Treating a Pet Respiratory Emergency

When you first bring your pet in to our emergency hospital, we will perform a full diagnostic workup. If your pet’s respiratory emergency requires rapid stabilization, such as using oxygen therapy to regulate breathing, we will prioritize that before proceeding with diagnostics. Some of the tools we use to diagnose respiratory emergencies may include chest x-rays, EKGs, blood and urine tests, or ultrasounds. We will also visually inspect your pet from head to tail, looking for pale gums, lethargy, and signs of difficulty breathing. Our veterinarian will ask you questions about your pet’s medical history and symptoms, including how long they’ve been going on.

Depending on the results of our diagnostics, we will provide specific recommendations for treatment. The best course of action will depend on the cause of the respiratory distress. Some common causes that can result in a pet respiratory emergency include:

Asthma:

If your cat or dog's asthma attacks are frequent and intense, it can lead to chronic bronchitis and further complications with their heart or lungs. While medication can help, many pet owners see the biggest impact in removing asthma triggers from their homes. For example, cigarette smoke and certain household cleaners are some of the most common causes of asthma attacks in cats and dogs.

Congestive Heart Failure:

When your pet's heart has trouble pumping blood throughout the body, it can result in respiratory distress, such as difficulty breathing or repeated coughing. We can stabilize your pet's condition using surgical and non-surgical methods, offer medications to help the heart work more regularly and slow fluid buildup in the lungs, and suggest supplements to support a healthy heart.

Pneumonia:

If your pet's respiratory emergency is due to pneumonia, there are several approaches we can take, including antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), and other medications. After initial treatment, at-home care can also help improve your pet's condition, such as providing plenty of rest or steam therapy.

FAQs About Pet Respiratory Emergencies

We understand that any pet respiratory emergency is distressing to witness. Our team is here to help your pet get on the road to recovery as quickly as possible while keeping you informed throughout the process. Some common questions we receive about respiratory distress include:

What should I do if my pet is having trouble breathing?

Firstly, remain calm, as your stress can contribute to your pet’s stress and further exacerbate their condition. Contact our pet hospital for immediate guidance while you begin to transport your pet to our clinic for further treatment.

Does my pet need to be hospitalized for an asthma attack?

Can I treat respiratory distress at home?

If your pet is displaying signs of respiratory distress, it can signify a life-threatening condition. If the onset is sudden, you should especially bring your pet in for treatment as soon as possible. After receiving treatment, our veterinarians can recommend at-home care you can perform to ease their recovery.

Reliable Treatment for Pet Respiratory Emergencies in Etiwanda

With years of experience in emergency veterinary medicine, PetEmerg Emergency Animal Hospital can help your pet return to optimal health as soon as possible. Our clinic has the tools, techniques, and knowledge to support a pet respiratory emergency in Etiwanda. You can trust our veterinarians to support your pet’s health in their time of need, with 24/7 care available. If your pet is coughing, wheezing, or has labored breathing, don’t hesitate to contact our practice today!