Knowing when a symptom is an emergency can save your pet’s life, and also saves you from unnecessary night-time trips. This guide lists the signs that mean go to a vet now, the ones that can usually wait for a same-day appointment, and what to do on the way.
It is part of our pet emergency guide. If you are unsure, call your vet or an emergency hospital and describe the symptoms.
15 signs your pet needs an emergency vet now
- Difficulty breathing: struggling, open-mouth breathing in cats, noisy or very fast breathing at rest.
- Pale, white, grey or blue gums.
- Collapse or sudden inability to stand.
- Seizures lasting more than a few minutes, or several in a row.
- Swollen, tight belly with retching but nothing coming up, especially in large, deep-chested dogs. This can be bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), which is rapidly fatal without surgery.
- Male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine. A blocked bladder can be fatal within a day or two.
- Known or suspected poisoning (see the list below), even if your pet seems fine.
- Major trauma: hit by a vehicle, fall from height, dog attack, even if your pet seems okay.
- Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes of firm pressure.
- Heatstroke signs: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbliness, vomiting after heat exposure.
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, especially with blood, or in puppies, kittens and small pets.
- Straining to give birth for an extended time without producing a puppy or kitten.
- Eye injuries or a suddenly bulging, cloudy or painful eye.
- Extreme pain: crying out, hiding, refusing to move, hunched posture.
- In rabbits and small pets: not eating or no droppings for several hours. See our rabbit vet guide.
Common pet poisons
| Substance | Dangerous for |
|---|---|
| Chocolate (especially dark and cocoa) | Dogs and cats |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters and sweets) | Dogs |
| Grapes, raisins and currants | Dogs |
| Onions, garlic, leeks, chives | Dogs and especially cats |
| Lilies (all parts, even pollen or vase water) | Cats |
| Human painkillers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen | Cats and dogs; paracetamol is especially dangerous to cats |
| Rat and mouse poisons | All pets |
| Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) | All pets |
| Permethrin dog flea products | Cats |
Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Some substances cause more harm coming back up. Take the packaging with you.
Usually not an emergency (call for a same-day appointment)
- A single episode of vomiting or diarrhoea in an otherwise bright adult pet
- Mild limping while still bearing weight
- Itching, ear scratching or a small hotspot
- Mild coughing with normal energy and appetite
- A small cut that has stopped bleeding
If symptoms worsen or your pet becomes lethargic, treat it as urgent. Our emergency vet vs urgent care guide helps you choose where to go.
What to do on the way
- Call ahead so the team can prepare.
- Keep your pet still and warm (or cool, for heatstroke, using cool, not ice-cold, water).
- Move injured pets on a flat surface such as a board or blanket.
- Use a muzzle or towel carefully if your pet may bite from pain, but never muzzle a pet that is vomiting or struggling to breathe.
- Bring medication names and any poison packaging.
Related guides
This guide is general information for pet owners and is not a substitute for an examination by a licensed veterinarian. If your pet is unwell, contact your vet.
Run a veterinary clinic?
Chenil is a free vet CRM for single-doctor clinics. It sends vaccination and checkup reminders automatically, keeps patient records in one place and handles appointments. See the features or book a demo.