When to See the Vet

So my recent run-in with Amos and a wayward dog in the dog park--actually Amos's run-in with the dog--which left Amos limping and me making a sling out of my jacket so I could help propel him back to the car, got me thinking about veterinary emergencies.

Here is a list from the AVMA of 13 injuries that require a vet visit:

Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop within 5 minutes
Choking, difficulty breathing or nonstop coughing and gagging
Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine
Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool), or obvious pain associated with urinating or passing stool
Injuries to your pet's eye(s)
You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
Seizures and/or staggering
Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)
Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
Heat stress or heatstroke
Severe vomiting or diarrhea – more than 2 episodes in a 24-hour period, or either of these combined with obvious illness or any of the other problems listed here
Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
Unconsciousness

Amos, by the way, is fine. Still a little skittish when we go near the area where the sneak-up-from-behind adventure occurred, and actually happy to be on a leash by my side, which is leaving Phoebe free to roam and very, very happy. So for now, we are all good, But always take your cell phone when you go into the park with your dogs and a bottle of water, which came in very handy to toss on the dogs when they were going at it, and by, the way, worked perfectly.

That's my advice from the trenches. Feel free to add yours.