Common Presentations in the Pet Emergency Room

An Interview with Dr. Paula Simons

No pet owner wants to end up in the emergency room with their furry friend - accidents happen, but education is a huge preventative measure in your pet's safety. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Paula Simons, emergency and critical care veterinarian, about some common presentations in the pet ER.

Toxic ingestions, gastrointestinal obstructions, trauma and respiratory distress are some common cases that Dr. Simons comes across day-to-day. Foreign body ingestion, whether it's a toy, clothing, bedding etc. can quickly become very serious and potentially life-threatening. Dogs love to chew and shred soft pillow bedding; that's why Dr. Simons recommends Kuranda Beds for their durability and the fact that there is no stuffing or foam to be ingested.

Keep reading for the full interview with Dr. Paula Simons!

Q: Introduce yourself!

Hi, I'm Dr. Paula Simons. I'm a veterinary criticalist AKA a veterinarian with advanced training in emergency and critical care medicine. I spend my days treating pets in life-threatening situations, but I'm also passional about client education - helping owners make safer choices to avoid the ER with their pets altogether.

Q: What are some of the most common presentations you've come across as an ER/critical care specialist?

The most frequent cases that I see are toxic ingestions, gastrointestinal obstructions, trauma (like being hit by a car), respiratory distress and acute collapse from underlying heart or cancerous diseases. Of those, foreign body ingestions - especially toys, clothing, or bedding - are unfortunately very common and can quickly become life-threatening.

Q: If your dog ingests something, are there at-home remedies or would you always recommend brining your pet into the ER?

I always recommend calling your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline immediately before trying anything at home. Some substances are dangerous to induce vomiting for - like caustic cleaners, sharp objects, or certain medications. The safest step is to get professional guidance right away, and most pets who ingest foreign objects should be evaluated in person.

Q: When it comes to pet who have ingested something they shouldn't have, is stuffed bedding often a culprit?

Absolutely. Dogs love to chew and shred bedding, and it doesn't take much for them to swallow stuffing, foam or fabric. I've seen countless cases of gastrointestinal obstruction caused by bedding material. Even a small piece can lead to dangerous blockage in the intestines.

Q: What treatment is necessary for something like this? What are potential dangers?

If the material is still in the stomach, sometimes we can induce vomiting or retrieve it with an endoscope - a camera-guided tool under anesthesia. If it's moved further into the intestines, surgery is usually necessary. The dangers include intestinal obstruction, perforateion, infection, and even death if untreated. It's a painful and expensive experience that no owner wants their dog to go through.

Q: What would you recommend to pet owners to prevent something like this from happening?

Choosing a chew-resistant bed is one of the simplest ways to prevent those emergencies. Raised cot-style beds, like Kuranda's, eliminate stuffing and foam that dogs are tempted to shred and swallow. They're durable, easy to clean and designed with your dog's safety in mind - giving you peace of mind while keeping your pet comfortable

Q: Anything else you'd like to go over or add?

Prevention is always easier - and safer - than treatment. With Kuranda beds, you're not only giving your dog a comfortable place to rest, you're also removing one of the biggest sources of preventable ER visits I see. It's a smart investment in your dog's health.