DURHAM, N.C., July 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When pets are endangered by sudden accidents or illnesses, the experience is particularly fearful for owners who are not well established with a veterinarian and do not know where to go for help, says New Hope Animal Hospital.

Crises may range from a pet being hit by an automobile, to a pet accidentally ingesting a toxin.  Often, owners can see that their pets are in trouble, but do not know the cause. They may doubt whether an incident is serious enough to require immediate care.

However, Dr. Soren Windram of Durham's New Hope Animal Hospital, 5016 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, identifies numerous situations in which pet owners should not hesitate to seek immediate veterinary advice and treatment.

For example, Dr. Windram cites choking, fractures, heat stress, neurological difficulties such as seizures, dry heaves after eating and prolonged diarrhea or vomiting lasting 24 hours or longer.

"Seek help immediately," Dr. Windram says, "if you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, such as antifreeze or a poisonous plant."

Also, Dr. Windram emphasizes that pet owners should pay close attention when dogs and cats chew on their paws, bat at their ears or make sounds expressing major discomfort. This may indicate that an object has embedded itself in their digestive system and can further penetrate a pet's body and cause damage.

New Hope Animal Hospital is a full service clinic that is well prepared to handle emergencies during regular operating hours. However, if trouble occurs outside regular hours, Durham and Chapel Hill pet owners are not left on their own to find help. Dr. Windram notes that, after hours, "Our animal hospital refers pet owners to emergency clinics we trust."

This full service clinic provides a broad range of care, including routine wellness exams, vaccinations, diagnostic lab testing, radiographic imaging, pharmaceutical services, pain management for elderly pets, vaccinations and planned surgical procedures ranging from dental cleaning to corrective surgeries. They also offer safe, sanitary boarding.

Dr. Windram says that when owners seek regular veterinary wellness care for pets, it helps cats and dogs become familiar with, and more trusting of, animal doctors. He adds that this can make emergency treatment easier to manage and less stressful for pets.

Preparedness also helps to minimize the difficulties of emergencies. Keep your veterinarian's phone number handy in a number of locations.

New Hope Animal Hospital is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. To contact the clinic, they can be reached by phone at (919) 490-2000. Information on their full range of veterinary service can be found on their website at http://www.nhah.com/.

New Hope Animal Hospital, (919) 490-2000

https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/animal-emergencies.aspx