Vet Care Information
Thank you for submitting the health form. Someone from vet care will reach out shortly. Please continue all follow-up for your case on the thread you receive from vet care, so we can easily track each patient. Remember to always reply all. You can also review a summary of your concern below.
Is this an emergency?
In the case of an emergency please follow the below instructions.
For all emergency cases, the Vet Care team must be notified PRIOR to going to an emergency room. All ER visits must be approved by a Vet Care representative.
If your foster dog is in a life-threatening situation, please immediately call or text members of the VetCare team at any time. Since our teams are primarily volunteer-run, we ask that you not call your Foster Assistant or the Vet Care team in non-life-threatening situations. If you are unsure if a situation is life-threatening, please submit a foster health form or email VetCare@citydogsrescuedc.org.
• Jodi Sirotnak: 703-608-4873
• Anne Washburn: 609-306-6291
Veterinary emergency situations include:
For all emergency cases, the Vet Care team must be notified PRIOR to going to an emergency room. All ER visits must be approved by a Vet Care representative.
If your foster dog is in a life-threatening situation, please immediately call or text members of the VetCare team at any time. Since our teams are primarily volunteer-run, we ask that you not call your Foster Assistant or the Vet Care team in non-life-threatening situations. If you are unsure if a situation is life-threatening, please submit a foster health form or email VetCare@citydogsrescuedc.org.
• Jodi Sirotnak: 703-608-4873
• Anne Washburn: 609-306-6291
Veterinary emergency situations include:
- Animal being seriously injured by another animal
- Animal being hit by a car
- Animal that is having trouble or difficulty breathing
- Extreme heat stroke
- Animal refusing to move, limp, stiff, refusing to eat and go for a walk
- Bleeding uncontrollably
- Any other life-threatening situation
COMMON CONCERNS
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DIARRHEA
- Type 1 Large Intestinal - characterized by soft or “mushy,” more like “cow patties,” and can even appear to be encased in mucus or red blood. Dogs with large intestinal diarrhea are usually still active and seem normal. Blood in stool looks scary, but unless it's a pool of blood it is nothing to panic about. You should also switch to a bland diet, but add pumpkin to increase their fiber intake.
- Type 2 Small Intestinal - characterized by very loose or watery stool. These dogs are often more depressed or lethargic and seem “sick." If dogs with the very watery, small intestinal diarrhea, are still acting okay, and will eat, we recommend feeding them a bland diet. This is fairly easy to digest and will act to help bind them.
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ITCHING / RASH
Common dog concern. Causes and treatment for Dogs:
Common dog concern. Causes and treatment for Dogs:
- Dry skin from prior poor grooming, fleas, and poor diet. Regular bathing and good nutrition will usually resolve the problem.
- Allergies-itching accompanied with red rash on belly, paws. Excessive licking of paws.
- Medicated bath weekly - Douxo Calm Dog & Cat Shampoo
- Douxo Mousse for Dogs & Cats
- Zyrtec (0.5 mg/lb every 24 hours) OR Benadryl (1 mg/lb every 8-12 hours) tablets (generic of both is fine, but only the original formulas. NO Zyrtec-D. NO mixes with decongestants or other preparations)
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LETHARGY/WEAKNESS
Rule out some of the other concerns mentioned on this page.
Rule out some of the other concerns mentioned on this page.
- If you have a pet thermometer, take their temperature. Over 103.5 degrees then it's an emergency. Normal temperature is between 100.5 - 102.5 degrees F (103 if they are stressed).
- If they aren’t exhibiting other more serious problems (vomiting/diarrhea, limping, shivering/shaking, obvious pain, abdominal bloat, etc.), and they will still eat and go for a walk you can usually wait 24 hours to see if they improve and respond to other treatment listed on this page.
- Psychological issues: Just arrived off transport and are still in their first week of settling into their new environment
- Muscle soreness: Overdoing it at the dog park or daycare.
- If they continue to appear dull and don't want to eat, drink, or engage with you for several days, then it's time for concern.
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LIMPING
Most causes of “limping,” even those that appear suddenly, are NOT true emergencies or reasons to panic. Non-weight bearing injuries are of the most concern, but unless your dog or cat was in a major accident (hit by a car, fall from high place, dog fight) then they can wait until the morning to see a regular vet.
Do not use any Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen!
Most causes of “limping,” even those that appear suddenly, are NOT true emergencies or reasons to panic. Non-weight bearing injuries are of the most concern, but unless your dog or cat was in a major accident (hit by a car, fall from high place, dog fight) then they can wait until the morning to see a regular vet.
Do not use any Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen!
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SEIZURE, SHAKING, SHIVERING
Animals shiver or shake for many reasons—pain, fear, anxiety, nerves, or simply being too cold. Storms, fireworks, or unusual noises nearby can all cause shaking.
Is it pain? "If the shivering and shaking is accompanied by excessive panting, this is usually a sign of stress, and more intense pain or discomfort. If you see, or feel, an obvious problem—a grossly abnormal limb indicating a possible fracture, an extremely bloated or tense abdomen indicating a possible bloat, pancreatitis, or other intestinal pain, or extreme stiffness (as if your pet doesn’t want to move) especially in the neck or back with or without gait abnormalities or ataxia (appearing as if your pet is drunk and wobbly), which may indicate a herniated disc or a muscle problem along the spine, you want to seek veterinary medical attention as soon as possible—the sooner the better." Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM
Seizures
If you think your foster is having a seizure:
Animals shiver or shake for many reasons—pain, fear, anxiety, nerves, or simply being too cold. Storms, fireworks, or unusual noises nearby can all cause shaking.
Is it pain? "If the shivering and shaking is accompanied by excessive panting, this is usually a sign of stress, and more intense pain or discomfort. If you see, or feel, an obvious problem—a grossly abnormal limb indicating a possible fracture, an extremely bloated or tense abdomen indicating a possible bloat, pancreatitis, or other intestinal pain, or extreme stiffness (as if your pet doesn’t want to move) especially in the neck or back with or without gait abnormalities or ataxia (appearing as if your pet is drunk and wobbly), which may indicate a herniated disc or a muscle problem along the spine, you want to seek veterinary medical attention as soon as possible—the sooner the better." Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM
Seizures
If you think your foster is having a seizure:
- If it lasts less than 5 minutes, report but observe to see if they have another.
- If it lasts more than 5 minutes, this is an emergency. Call your foster assistant or call 202-827-6820 or 202-669-8146.
- If they are having repeated seizures in the same day, report back to us and we will send you to the vet.
