SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valencia Veterinary Center in Santa Clarita, CA announced that the animal hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days per year in the event of an animal medical emergency. Pet emergency veterinarian Dr. Baljit Grewal is raising awareness about the importance of urgent medical care during an emergency. According to Dr. Grewal, prompt treatment at a state-of-the-art emergency animal hospital is essential to a positive outcome in the event of a dog and cat medical emergency.
Santa Clarita veterinarian Dr. Baljit Grewal is raising awareness about the warning signs of pet emergencies and encouraging pet owners to seek immediate care. According to Dr. Grewal, seeking immediate care when symptoms are first present reduces the risk for complications increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.
"Common pet emergencies include accidental poisoning or blunt force trauma injuries, like a car accident," said Dr. Grewal. "In the event of an emergency, the best place for your pet is a 24-hour emergency vet hospital. A trained emergency veterinarian will be able to provide the life-saving care a pet needs, helping to reduce complications and speed the recovery process."
Accidental poisoning is one of the most common pet emergencies. Ingestions of bug or rodent poison, eating a houseplant, or accidentally consuming chocolate require immediate veterinary care.
Heat stroke and snakebites are two emergencies that can turn deadly in just minutes. For example, pets that are suffering from heat stroke and fail to receive proper care can experience seizures and possibly even fatal circumstances. Pets may need hospitalization for 24 to 36 hours after the bite in order to receive anti-venom therapy, IV fluids and pain medication.
"Whether the emergency happens at 2pm or 2am, the emergency medical team at Valencia Veterinary Center is ready to assist at any time," said Dr. Grewal. "Our state-of-the-art facilities feature the latest diagnostic technology and on-site labs for immediate test results. This advanced level of training ensures that pets get the care they need as quickly as possible."
Illnesses like kennel cough also require urgent care. Dr. Grewal cautioned that delaying treatment can allow an illness to progress, leading to complications that may make the illness more difficult to successfully treat.
Valencia Veterinary Center is fully equipped for emergency surgical care. In addition to emergency operations for blunt force trauma, such as a car accident injury, the animal hospital also performs routine surgery. The hospital has two surgical wards dedicated to both emergency and routine surgical care, along with ultrasound and endoscopic diagnostic equipment.
As part of the Santa Clarita emergency animal hospital's pet preventative care program, Dr. Grewal and his staff work closely with pet owners to reduce the risk for pet emergencies. This includes advising pet owners how to properly pet-proof a home to avoid accidental poisonings.