SARASOTA, Fla., May 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bee Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Sarasota, FL announced that the veterinary hospital offers emergency care for sick animals during regular clinic hours. According to veterinarians Dr. Ronni Tudin and Dr. Robin Sego, the clinic provides urgent and emergency care in keeping with the clinic's motto, "Your Pets... Our Family." The owners of sick or ailing animals can request an "urgent care" visit; no appointment is necessary. A veterinarian will see the pet between regularly scheduled appointments. The clinic's facilities include a surgical suite, which can be readied for emergency pet surgery, if necessary.
Veterinarian Dr. Ronni Tudin is encouraging pet owners to be alert for the signs of illness, and if necessary, seek emergency or urgent care for their pets.
"When a pet appears sick or in distress, pet owners should not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own," said Dr. Tudin. "As part of our commitment to proactive care, our veterinary clinic offers emergency and urgent care during regular clinic hours. If a pet is exhibiting signs of illness, pet owners can take their pet to our clinic for immediate attention. No appointment is ever required. We also offer pet vaccinations to protect against many common illnesses."
According to Dr. Tudin, symptoms of illness in sick animals include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abnormal discharges from body openings, and lethargy. Pets may also exhibit disoriented behavior, such as confusion or stumbling. This may be a symptom of chocolate ingestion, plant poisoning or rabies.
Veterinarian Dr. Robin Sego is also encouraging pet owners to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of illness. According to Dr. Sego, many pet owners mistakenly identify sickness in their pets or ignore potential problems until a pet's health is in serious jeopardy. Both Dr. Tudin and Dr. Sego urge prompt care.
"Many pet owners are unsure what to do in the event of vomiting or diarrhea," said Dr. Sego. "Yes, sometimes dogs simply throw up because they ate their food too fast. However, it's always better to err on the side of caution. Early treatment for vomiting or diarrhea can prevent dehydration. Treatment can also determine if something more serious, such as chocolate poisoning, is the cause, or if emergency pet surgery is required."
Common pet emergencies include ingestion of poisonous houseplants, chocolate consumption, or an infectious illness, such as Bordetella. For some infectious diseases, such as Bordetella, vaccinations can help protect pets.
"Our pets can't tell us when they're feeling sick," said Dr. Tudin. "This is why it's so important to promptly seek urgent care. If you aren't sure, feel free to give us a call prior to bringing your pet in for care. We can provide recommendations over the phone to ease your pet's immediate discomfort until we are able to perform an examination."
In addition to urgent care, the veterinary clinic provides routine wellness care, including vaccinations, pet surgery and annual exams.