🚨 Emergency Contacts - Save These Now!
Paws & Applause (Business Hours)
(865) 300-5988 Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm🚨 Animal Emergency & Specialty Center
(865) 693-4440 24/7/365 • 10213 Kingston Pike, Knoxville20 mins from Maryville • AAHA Certified
🏥 UT Veterinary Medical Center
(865) 974-8387 24/7 Emergency • 2407 River Dr, KnoxvilleTeaching Hospital • Advanced Care
☠️ ASPCA Poison Control (BEST)
(888) 426-4435 24/7 • Veterinary Toxicologists$95 fee • Save this number NOW!
📍 Knoxville Pet Emergency
(865) 637-0114 After-hours • 1819 Ailor AveNights/Weekends (Closed Mondays)
⏱️ Time is Critical! From Maryville:
• Animal Emergency Center: 20-25 minutes via US-129 N
• UT Veterinary: 30 minutes via Alcoa Highway
• Call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival!
• UT Veterinary: 30 minutes via Alcoa Highway
• Call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival!
💡 Save These Numbers NOW:
Add to contacts: (865) 693-4440 and (888) 426-4435
Most Maryville vets are closed nights/weekends - don't wait!
Most Maryville vets are closed nights/weekends - don't wait!
Life-Threatening Emergencies - GO NOW!
If your pet shows ANY of these symptoms, go to emergency vet immediately:
Difficulty breathing
Unconscious/unresponsive
Severe bleeding
Seizures
Hit by car
Pale/blue gums
Swollen, hard belly
Unable to urinate
Extreme pain
Collapse/can't stand
Eye injuries
Suspected poisoning
What to Do:
- Stay calm - your pet needs you focused
- Call emergency vet while someone drives
- Keep pet warm with blankets
- Do NOT give food, water, or medications
- Transport carefully - support the whole body
Poisoning Emergency
🚫 Common Poisons in East Tennessee:
• Foods: Chocolate, xylitol gum, grapes, garlic, onions
• Plants: Azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, lilies
• Chemicals: Antifreeze, rat poison, fertilizer, pool chemicals
• Human Meds: Tylenol, Advil, antidepressants, ADHD meds
• Plants: Azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, lilies
• Chemicals: Antifreeze, rat poison, fertilizer, pool chemicals
• Human Meds: Tylenol, Advil, antidepressants, ADHD meds
If Your Pet Ate Something Toxic:
- Call ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- Have the package/substance name ready
- Note the time and amount ingested
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed
- Follow their specific instructions
- Go to emergency vet if directed
Choking
Signs: Pawing at mouth, gagging, blue tongue, panic, inability to breathe
For Small Dogs (Under 30 lbs):
- Hold dog facing downward
- Give 5 sharp thrusts to abdomen
- Check mouth and remove object if visible
- Repeat if needed
For Large Dogs (Over 30 lbs):
- Stand behind dog (or lay on side)
- Place arms around belly
- Make fist and push firmly upward and forward
- Check mouth and remove object if visible
- Repeat if needed
Heatstroke (Common in TN Summers)
Signs: Excessive panting, drooling, red gums, vomiting, collapse, temperature over 104°F
Immediate Actions:
- Move to shade/AC immediately
- Offer small amounts of cool (not ice) water
- Wet with cool water (focus on paws, belly, armpits)
- Use fans to increase cooling
- Do NOT use ice or very cold water
- Transport to vet with AC on high
💡 Tennessee Heat Prevention:
• NEVER leave pets in cars - 70°F outside = 100°F+ in car!
• Walk before 9am or after 7pm in summer
• Hot pavement test: Hold hand on ground 7 seconds
• Breeds at risk: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, elderly pets
• Walk before 9am or after 7pm in summer
• Hot pavement test: Hold hand on ground 7 seconds
• Breeds at risk: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, elderly pets
Severe Bleeding
Stop the Bleeding:
- Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
- Hold firmly for 3-5 minutes (don't peek)
- If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top
- Secure bandage with tape or strips of cloth
- Do NOT remove objects stuck in wounds
- Get to emergency vet immediately
Snake Bites (Tennessee Risk)
Venomous in TN: Copperheads (most common), Timber Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths
🚫 DO NOT:
Cut wound, suck venom, apply ice, or use tourniquet!
Immediate Actions:
- Keep pet calm and still (carry if possible)
- Remove collar if neck/face bite (swelling risk)
- Mark bite location with pen (track swelling)
- Do NOT wash the wound
- Get to emergency vet IMMEDIATELY
- Take photo of snake if safely possible
🌲 High-Risk Areas:
Smoky Mountains trails, woodpiles, tall grass, rocky areas. Most bites April-October.
Trauma / Hit by Car
⚠️ Even if pet seems fine, internal injuries are common!
Always get veterinary evaluation after any trauma.
Safe Transport Steps:
- Approach slowly and calmly (injured pets may bite)
- Use blanket/board as stretcher for large dogs
- Support entire body when lifting
- For small pets, use carrier or box
- Cover with blanket to reduce stress
- Drive carefully but quickly to emergency vet
Seizures
During a Seizure: Pet may paddle legs, drool, lose bladder/bowel control
What to Do:
- Do NOT restrain or put anything in mouth
- Move furniture away to prevent injury
- Keep room quiet and dim
- Time the seizure (note start/end)
- If over 3 minutes = EMERGENCY
- Video if possible for vet
- After seizure, keep pet calm and cool
🏥 Pet First Aid Kit Essentials
Gauze pads & roll
Self-adhesive bandage
Digital thermometer
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Saline solution
Tweezers
Scissors
Latex gloves
Flashlight
Blanket
Muzzle (injured pets may bite)
Emergency contact list
Pet carrier/crate
Leash and collar
Current pet photo
Medical records
Benadryl (ask vet dose)
Tennessee-Specific Pet Hazards
Ticks: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Blue-Green Algae: Fort Loudoun Lake
Black Widow Spiders: Sheds/garages
Brown Recluse: Woodpiles/basements
Mushrooms: After rain (many toxic)
Coyotes: Dawn/dusk in rural areas
🌡️ Seasonal Alerts:
• Spring: Snake activity, tick prevention crucial
• Summer: Heat stroke, blue-green algae in lakes
• Fall: Mushrooms, antifreeze spills
• Winter: Ice melt toxicity, hypothermia risk
• Spring: Snake activity, tick prevention crucial
• Summer: Heat stroke, blue-green algae in lakes
• Fall: Mushrooms, antifreeze spills
• Winter: Ice melt toxicity, hypothermia risk
Maryville/Blount County Resources
📋 Regular Vet Offices (Call for Referrals):
• Maryville Small Animal Medical: (865) 984-0235
• Southwind Animal Hospital: (865) 690-5870
• Most refer to Animal Emergency Center after hours
• Maryville Small Animal Medical: (865) 984-0235
• Southwind Animal Hospital: (865) 690-5870
• Most refer to Animal Emergency Center after hours
When to Call Your Regular Vet
These situations need attention but may not require emergency visit:
- Vomiting/diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- Not eating for more than 24 hours
- Excessive scratching or licking
- Mild limping
- Minor cuts or scrapes
- Unusual behavior or lethargy
- Bad breath or drooling
- Drinking excessive water
💡 Trust Your Instincts:
You know your pet best. If something seems wrong, don't hesitate to call your vet for guidance.