The Essential Guide to Pet Emergencies with Dr. Karl Jandrey

Recently, Dr. Karl Jandrey, associate dean and professor specializing in clinical small animal emergency and critical care at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was interviewed on the “Speaking of Pets” podcast. Hosted by board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Alice Jeromin and her sister Janet, an animal advocate, the podcast empowers pet owners with reliable, science-based information.

In the episode, Jandrey explored common pet emergencies that every owner should know about, from the dangers of foreign objects to gastrointestinal issues. Jandrey shared invaluable insights on what symptoms to watch for and when to seek veterinary care. Listeners learn about the importance of understanding their pet's normal behavior and how to react in various scenarios, including what to do if their pet has been injured or ingested something harmful. The conversation also covers unique cases Dr. Jandrey has encountered, highlighting the unpredictable nature of pet care.

Key takeaways from the discussion include:

• General Emergency Preparedness: 
  • Know your pet's normal behavior.
  • Know the location of your closest DVM or 24/7 veterinary ER
  • Be aware of local animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers.
  • When in doubt, seek veterinary advice.
• Vomiting and Diarrhea: 
  • "Normal" varies for each pet. Pay attention to changes in frequency and severity.
  • One-time vomiting in a healthy adult pet might be okay to monitor.
  • Young and old pets need quicker veterinary attention.
  • Blood in vomit or stool is an immediate emergency.   
  • Content of vomit matters (e.g., foreign objects).   
• Foreign Object Ingestion: 
  • Dogs eat a wide range of things, including socks, toys, and owner medications.
  • Linear foreign bodies (strings, mesh) are particularly dangerous.   
  • Cats can get strings wrapped around their tongues, requiring careful examination.   
• Hit by Car/Trauma: 
  • Prioritize your safety first. Don't get bitten.
  • Have an emergency kit in your car: blankets, leashes, a box.
  • Use belt or sock to create a muzzle.
  • Assess the animal's condition and determine if immediate transport to a vet is needed.
  • Know the location of emergency veterinary clinics.
• Neurological Emergencies and Seizures: 
  • Vestibular disease (balance problems) can cause sudden head tilt, eye twitching, and inability to stand.   
  • Seizures: Stay away from the animal's mouth, cover them with a blanket, and observe. Often these last a short time.  Animals seizuring greater than 2 minutes need to be transported for veterinary care.
  • Know your pet's normal seizure patterns.
  • Immediately seek veterinary attention for increased frequency, severity, or clustering of seizures.
  • Discuss anti-seizure medication with your veterinarian, weighing benefits and risks.
• Rectal Health: 
  • Regularly check your pet's rectal area for scooting, blood, or swelling.
  • Be aware of potential issues like anal gland ruptures, tumors, and hernias.
  • If your dog is long haired, ensure that fecal matter does not become matted in the fur around the anus.
• Eye Health: 
  • Compare both eyes for squinting, tearing, swelling, discoloration, or cloudiness.
  • Keep artificial tear drops or ointment on hand for minor irritations.
  • Do not use human eye medications on your pets.
  • Consult a veterinarian for any eye abnormalities.
• Reverse Sneezing: 
  • The cause of reverse sneezing is largely unknown, but potentially may signal an allergic response
  • It is common and usually harmless.
• General Veterinary Care: 
  • Always consult a veterinarian when in doubt.
  • Value the expertise of veterinary professionals.
  • Groomers often notice when something may be wrong, so pay attention if they mention something.

View the full podcast

Watch Dr. Jandrey's previous appearance on Speaking of Pets Podcast, in which he did an in-depth description of common toxins that pets encounter, including marijuana.

Read the UC Davis Animal Health Topic on marijuana toxicosis

This article was drafted with the assistance of Google Gemini AI and has been fully reviewed by UC Davis personnel.