Windcrest Animal Hospital :: 24 Hour Emergency/Critical Care

Windcrest Emergency Care

If you have an emergency or require critical care, please bring your pet to our 24/7 facilities at:

Windcrest Animal Hospital
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, DE 19805

Please call beforehand, if possible, so we can prepare for your visit:

(302) 998-2995

Signs that your Pet is in Need of Emergency Care:

(Reprinted with permission from the SixWise.com Security & Wellness e-Newsletter):

Swollen, tight abdomen: This is a symptom of bloat in dogs. Bloat is the second leading killer in dogs (after cancer) and can kill a dog in less than an hour.

Bloat occurs when a dog swallows too much air (from eating too fast, for instance) and the stomach swells and rotates, blocking veins in the abdomen and leading to shock and organ damage. Other symptoms of bloat include a hunched up appearance and numerous attempts to vomit (often unsuccessfully).

Labored or rapid breathing
Loss of consciousness
Lethargy: This can be a sign of many life-threatening illnesses, including poisoning, rabies, brucellosis and more.
Bloody diarrhea: Sometimes caused by bacterial infection from E. coli or campylobacter (dysentery in humans).
Thick mucous from the anus (without a bowel movement): This may indicate a bowel obstruction, which can be life-threatening.
Vomiting blood: May occur if your pet ate something sharp (that caused puncture wounds) or may indicate poisoning, ulcers, blood disorders or cancer.
Collapse, paralysis or sudden inability to walk or stand: This could be due to shock, poisoning, electrocution or other causes.
Heatstroke: Heavy panting, rapid pulse, vomiting and lethargy are all danger signs if your pet has been outdoors in hot weather. If you notice any of these, bring your pet inside and apply cool, wet towels. Get to our facility immediately.
Dehydration: If your pet has had severe diarrhea, he may be severely dehydrated. A sign of this is skin or fur that loses its elasticity and doesn’t snap back when gently pulled.
Excessive bleeding: This can be caused by a road accident, an attack by a wild animal or a fall.
Seizures: This can result from a head injury or epilepsy.
Unusual temperature or change in body temperature: A fever over 105 degrees F, or a temperature under 98 degrees F (hypothermia) needs immediate attention.
Broken bones
Pale gums
Weak or rapid pulse

Tips to Stabilize Your Pet During or Before Transport

Occasionally, first aid can help stabilize your pet for transportation:

For bleeding, try to elevate the area and apply pressure to the wound.
If your dog is choking, use your fingers to try to remove the blockage from his mouth. If you can’t remove it, give a sharp rap to his chest (a modified Heimlich maneuver) to help dislodge the object.
To perform CPR, put your dog on his side, hold his jaws closed and blow into his nostrils once every three seconds (making sure no air escapes either your mouth or the dog’s nose).
If your dog has no heartbeat, also give three quick compressions to the chest for every respiration until your dog resume breathing on his own.