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Labored breathing and/or pale or blue gums or tongue may indicate heart failure, lung disease, internal bleeding, or major chemical imbalances.
For heavy bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound, seek help immediately.
If your pet has fallen, been hit by a car, or has suffered multiple wounds from an unknown source, you should seek professional help immediately, even if your pet is acting ok.
Wounds that break the skin are contaminated and can become infected. Many wounds that seem minor to the naked eye - a small puncture or bite wound - can often have deeper, more serious injuries below the skin's surface.
Illness or injury may make a pet too weak to stand. Neurological problems can prevent normal movement and lead to greater injuiry if your pet tries to walk.
If you know or suspect this, call our office immediately for professional direction to deal with this very serious problem quickly!
Many serious illnesses begin with vomiting and/or diarrhea. Multiple episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and shock.
If your pet develops an infected wound or abscess, or if he/she suddenly gets worse while on medication for an infection, seek professional help immediately. Infection can spread and cause toxicity.
Your pet may appear to be straining due to constipation, but it could be more serious. Frequent attempts to urinate that don't produce a normal urine flow could indicate infection or obstruction - especially in male cats! This can lead to uremic poisoning and death.
Redness, excessive tearing, pain, pawing at the eyes, squinting or eyelid spasms suggest an acute problem. The symptoms can intensify if not treated.
It's important to understand that exotic pets don't show signs of illness as readily as other pets - their signs may be even more subtle but no less dangerous so please use the top ten list above and exotic list below as guidelines of what to watch for in your exotic pet.
Staying on the bottom of the cage, not perching, fluffed up while perched, sleeping a lot, not talking (if normally does), loose droppings, decreased number of droppings, not eating.
Diarrhea, vomiting, pawing at the mouth (may indicate nausea due to dangerously low blood sugar), frequent trips to the litter box with little or no urine production, pain in the abdomen, depression, lack of appetite.
Diarrhea or decreased numbers of stools, lack of appetite, weak or depressed, painful when lifted or touched, head tilted to one side, rolling, flipping.
Weak or unresponsive, open-mouth breathing, prolonged lack of appetite, frantic movements or thrashing.
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