In the case of a veterinary emergency, please ring the clinic on 046-9549886 – if we are closed our voicemail will direct you to our duty vet’s phone number.
At Acorn House, we are well equipped to deal with pet emergencies, including serious illnesses and injuries. We have advanced diagnostic equipment including rapid blood tests, ultrasonography and digital radiography (xray), allowing quick and accurate assessment and treatment of your pet. Even more importantly, our skilled and experienced team will make sure that your pet receives the best veterinary care possible, day or night. On occasions when our team cannot provide out of hours cover, we are proud to announce our partnership with the Emerge out of hours provider at Veterinary Specialists Ireland (VSI) in nearby Summerhill. VSI is one of the top veterinary referral hospitals in Ireland and they now provide a service for emergency cases only outside of normal working hours. VSI is staffed by highly skilled and dedicated vets with world class facilities and equipment, so between us and them, you and your pet will get the best quality care possible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Some common emergencies requiring veterinary attention:
Difficulty urinating – male cats in particular can sometimes struggle with urination to the point that they become completely blocked. This is an emergency situation as it can lead to kidney failure and bladder rupture.
Vomiting – although vomiting is not necessarily an emergency, if the animal is distressed, there is blood in the vomit or there are repeated episodes, it may be worth seeking veterinary advice.
Laboured breathing – laboured breathing can have many causes requiring veterinary attention, including heat stroke, cardiac failure and nausea.
Bloat – a suddenly distended, gassy abdomen can indicate a gastric torsion, particularly if accompanied by distress and requires urgent veterinary attention.
Collapse – any cause of collapse requires veterinary advice.
Seizure – seizures can have multiple causes, veterinary advice should be sought to determine best course of action.
Paralysis – paralysis in the hind limbs can be caused by trauma, thromboembolisms and spinal disc disease amongst other things. Swift veterinary attention can make a difference to the outcome of these cases.
Injury – the severity of injury determines whether emergency treatment is required. Large wounds, bleeding injuries, fractured limbs should be assessed and if in doubt about the extent of the injury, please seek veterinary attention.
Road Traffic Accidents – RTAs are amongst the most common veterinary emergencies. Even if the animal appears to be ok, it is still important to have them checked to ensure no internal injuries.
Toxins – toxins include raisins, chocolate, grapes, alcohol, antifreeze, lilies and human medications. If any of these have been ingested, please contact the clinic immediately for advice.
These are a selection of common emergencies, but the most important thing to note is that if you are concerned about your pet’s health for any reason, you should seek veterinary advice, if only to set your mind at ease.