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Emergencies

  • Raising orphan puppies requires great care, time, and vigilance. Puppies must be kept at appropriate temperatures and humidity levels. Orphaned puppies need to be fed appropriate amounts of a commercial puppy milk replacer at regular intervals and can be fed by bottle or feeding tube. This article provides care guidelines. A veterinarian should be consulted early and frequently throughout the first 6–8 weeks of life.

  • Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye, or retina. Vision occurs at the retina. The structure of the eye is similar to a camera, which has a lens to focus light on the film. A cloudy or opaque lens is called a cataract.

  • Cervical vertebral instability (wobbler syndrome) is caused by compression of the spinal cord, usually at the base of the neck. Although the spinal cord compression occurs in the neck, the hind legs are often affected first. In severe cases, the dog may suddenly develop total paralysis of all four limbs. The condition is most prevalent in Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers. Most pets enjoy a relatively normal lifestyle following surgery.

  • A cesarean section is surgery usually performed as an emergency to help deliver kittens. Complete recovery from anesthesia may take 2 to 12 hours. The kittens should be ready to nurse as soon as you arrive home, even if mother is still sleepy. If you have any concerns about their health, you should immediately have your veterinarian examine the kittens and their mother.

  • A cesarean section is surgery usually performed as an emergency to help deliver puppies. Complete recovery from anesthesia may take 2 to 12 hours. The puppies may also be sluggish and slow to nurse at first due to the anesthesia. The dog should be monitored for fever, abnormal vulvar discharge, and abnormalities at the incision.

  • Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer and other conditions in people and animals, and often target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but normal, healthy cells that grow quickly may also be affected. Side effects of ingestion can include stomach upset, neurological signs, bone marrow suppression, and organ damage.

  • Chinchillas are generally hardy animals but are susceptible to several unique health conditions; understanding them will help you care for your pet and manage potential health problems. This handout describes the most common conditions seen in pet chinchillas.

  • Chlorfenapyr is a pesticide used to control nuisance and destructive insects. Poisoning occurs through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. Signs may occur within hours but generally take days to weeks. Due to a high risk of death, pet owners should seek immediate veterinary care if their pet is exposed.

  • Chocolate is toxic to cats. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which cause clinical signs such as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, agitation, tremors, and seizures. Signs of chocolate poisoning can take several hours to develop and can last for several days.

  • Chocolate is toxic to dogs. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which cause clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, and increased heart rate. Signs of chocolate poisoning can take several hours to develop and can last for several days.