What is an Emergency?
Take this quiz to find out.

FELINE QUIZ:

1. When should you worry? Your cat:
   a) just vomited undigested food
   b) vomited for the fourth time today and seems listless and lethargic.
   c) threw up a hairball.
   d) threw up, and you see signs of blood.
   
   Correct answers: b and d.
   The important thing to do is distinguish vomiting from regurgitation which is a natural response to eating too fast. Vomiting may be more serious, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. If vomiting occurs more than once a day or has signs of blood in it your pet should be checked by your veterinarian.
   
   
2. Your cat seems to be choking. You should seek emergency help when:
   a) it sounds like a hairball is on the way up.
   b) his mouth is wide open and he's making no sound.
   c) he seems to be regurgitating and taking big swallows.
   d) he collapses.
   
   Correct answers: b and d.
   If your cat can't make noise, he probably can't breathe and could possibly die without immediate veterinary attention. The good news is, life-threatening choking is very uncommon in cats. Most of the time cats are able to expel a foreign body on their own.
   
    
3. Which ones can be toxic?
   a) acetaminophen (Tylenol)
   b) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
   c) acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
   d) birth-control pills
   
   Correct answer: All.
   If you see your cat ingest Tylenol, IT IS AN EMERGENCY! Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory are also toxic. Birth-control pills are the least dangerous, however seek veterinary advice if your cat ingests any.
   
   
4. You should take your cat to your veterinarian if she has severe bleeding from:
   a) a cut pad
   b) a broken toenail
   c) the rectum
   d) the nose
   
   Correct answer: All
   Even a bleeding toenail should be examined if it doesn't stop within 5 minutes.
   
   
5. Your cat jumped off the refrigerator. Which of these scenarios requires a visit to the veterinarian?
   a) she won't bear weight on one of her legs
   b) she's walking with a slight limp
   c) she shook one foot violently, glared at you and walked away with a normal stride
   d) one leg is now at an irregular, or funny angle
   
   Correct answers: a and d.
   A limb that doesn't bear weight needs to be examined. There are many reasons for limping, from a compound fracture to a broken nail or torn footpad.
   
   
6. Which of the following is the most serious?
   a) your cat has gone three days without a bowel movement
   b) your cat keeps straining in the litter box with no urine produced
   c) your cat has three loose bowel movements a day
   
   Correct answer: b.
   Elimination problems of any kind can be a serious problem for your cat.  Constipation for more than a day or two can lead to more serious intestinal and colon problems. Loose bowel movements or diarrhea can be a sign of a parasitic or bacterial infection. However a cat that is unable to urinate can actually die within 24 hours.  Even though your pet should be examined by a veterinarian for all three conditions, an immediate examination is critical if your cat is straining to urinate to determine if there is an obstruction.
    

1. Your dog ate the pill you dropped. Which drugs could cause problems?
   a) birth-control pills
   b) tranquilizers
   c) ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
   d) acetaminophen (Tylenol)
   
   Correct answer: All.
   Any medication that your dog ingests may be harmful or even worse toxic.  No matter what, contact your veterinarian immediately to see if there are any further steps that should be taken.
   
   

2. Your dog was struck by a vehicle. He should be examined immediately by your veterinarian if:
   a) he walks with a limp
   b) you see no injuries
   c) he seemed fine, but now is lethargic
   d) he's panting
   
   Correct answer: All.
   Internal injuries often aren't immediately obvious, and even a seemingly unhurt, your dog should be examined. Any breathing difficulties are especially critical.
   
   
3. Your dog's been hurt and is bleeding. Seek help if:
   a) it's a deep cut, still oozing after a half-hour
   b) you over-clipped a toenail; your dog is yelping
   c) his gums are pale
   d) you applied pressure and the bleeding stopped
   
   Correct answers: a and c.
   Pale gums can indicate blood loss. Even a bleeding toenail should be examined if the bleeding doesn't stop. Any injury that bleeds for more than five minutes requires medical attention. If a dog loses too much blood too quickly the results can be fatal.
   
   
4. Your dog was playing in the backyard and injured himself trying to jump a fence. It's serious if:
   a) he won't walk on one leg now
   b) he's walking with a limp
   c) he limped briefly, then the limp disappeared
   d) one leg is now at a funny angle
   
   Correct answers: a and d.
   A non-weight-bearing or abnormally positioned limb could be fractured or dislocated and needs immediate care. A weight-bearing but painful limb may be able to wait until morning as long as your dog is not whining or showing other obvious signs of pain, such as not wanting to perform regular tasks like going outside to use the bathroom.
   
   
5. Uncle Sam gave your 10-pound dog some of his chocolate. It is only dangerous if it was:
   a) 1 ounce of milk chocolate
   b) 2 ounces of dark chocolate
   c) three or four chocolate-covered almonds
   d) four minutes after you told Uncle Sam not to feed your dog anything
   
   Correct answer: b.
   The rule: The darker the chocolate the more toxic it is.  For a 10-pound dog, it takes about 10 ounces of milk chocolate to be harmful  BUT it only takes 1 ounce of baking chocolate-to be toxic. Call your veterinarian immediately if this should occur.
   
   
6. Your playing catch with your dog with a rubber ball. You should panic and seek help if:
   a) the ball hit his head; he yelped but continued playing
   b) the ball seems to be lodged in the back of his mouth
   c) he catches better than you
   
   Correct answer: b.
   Soft rubber balls can easily become lodged in the upper airway of medium-large dogs. An obstructed airway is a true critical emergency; fortunately, it's highly uncommon. Call your veterinarian for instructions on how to properly dislodge the ball.