Pet Emergencies: Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Signs Your Pet May Need Emergency Care

If your dog or cat is experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital promptly:

Difficulty Breathing

Breathing problems should always be taken seriously.

Signs of respiratory distress can include:

• Rapid or labored breathing
• Open-mouth breathing in cats
• Excessive effort when breathing
• Blue, gray, or very pale gums
• Neck extended or elbows held away from the body
• Collapse or severe weakness

Cats should never routinely breathe with their mouths open. If your cat is open-mouth breathing, seek emergency veterinary care.

Repeated Vomiting or Severe Diarrhea

One isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea in an otherwise healthy pet may not be an emergency. However, repeated vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration and may indicate a more serious problem.

Seek veterinary attention if your pet:

• Cannot keep water down
• Has repeated vomiting
• Has large amounts of watery diarrhea
• Has blood in the vomit or stool
• Has black, tarry stool
• Is weak or lethargic
• Is showing signs of abdominal pain

Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with underlying medical conditions can become seriously ill more quickly.

Repeatedly Trying to Vomit Without Producing Anything

A dog that repeatedly retches or tries to vomit but produces little or nothing—particularly if the abdomen is swollen or painful—may have gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat.

This is a life-threatening emergency.

Don't wait to see if the symptoms improve. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Straining to Urinate

If your pet repeatedly goes to the litter box or outside to urinate but produces little or no urine, they need prompt veterinary attention.

This is particularly important in male cats, which are at risk for urinary obstruction.

A blocked urinary tract can become life-threatening very quickly.

Other warning signs include:

• Crying or vocalizing while urinating
• Frequent trips to the litter box
• Blood in the urine
• Licking the genital area excessively
• Hiding or acting painful
• Vomiting or becoming lethargic

If you suspect your cat is unable to urinate, this is an emergency.

Collapse or Severe Weakness

A pet that suddenly collapses, cannot stand, or becomes extremely weak should be evaluated immediately.

Possible causes include heart disease, internal bleeding, severe anemia, poisoning, low blood sugar, shock, and other serious conditions.

Even if your pet appears to recover quickly after collapsing, they should still be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Seizures

A seizure can be frightening to witness.

If your pet has a seizure:

• Move objects away from them so they don't injure themselves.
• Don't attempt to restrain them.
• Don't put your hands near their mouth.
• Keep track of how long the seizure lasts.

A seizure lasting several minutes, multiple seizures occurring close together, or a pet that does not return to normal afterward requires emergency veterinary care.

A first-time seizure should also be discussed with your veterinarian.

Pale, White, Blue, or Gray Gums

Your pet's gums can provide important information about their health.

Normal gums are generally pink. Pale, white, blue, gray, or purple gums can indicate problems such as poor circulation, anemia, shock, or inadequate oxygen.

Abnormal gum color—especially when accompanied by weakness, collapse, or difficulty breathing—requires immediate veterinary attention.

Sudden Severe Pain

Pets experiencing severe pain may:

• Cry, whine, or vocalize
• Tremble or shake
• Hide
• Refuse to move
• Have difficulty getting comfortable
• Become unusually aggressive when touched
• Hold their body in an abnormal position
• Pant excessively

Sudden severe pain can be caused by injuries, abdominal problems, urinary obstruction, spinal disease, and other emergencies.

Trauma or Serious Injury

Contact a veterinarian after significant trauma, even if your pet initially appears okay.

Examples include:

• Being hit by a car
• Falling from a significant height
• Dog or animal attacks
• Significant wounds
• Suspected fractures
• Head injuries
• Injuries to the chest or abdomen

Internal injuries aren't always obvious from the outside, and some problems may not become apparent until hours after an accident.

Suspected Poisoning or Toxin Exposure

If your pet may have eaten something toxic, don't wait for symptoms to develop before calling for advice.

Common household hazards include certain medications, pesticides, rodenticides, some plants, and foods that are unsafe for pets.

Have the product packaging or name available when contacting your veterinarian. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary professional.

Eating a Foreign Object

Dogs and cats commonly swallow things they shouldn't, including toys, socks, bones, string, rocks, and pieces of household objects.

If you know your pet swallowed something potentially dangerous, contact your veterinarian even if they seem normal.

An object can become lodged in the stomach or intestines and cause a potentially life-threatening obstruction.

String and thread are particularly dangerous for cats. Never pull on a string that is hanging from your cat's mouth or rectum.

Sudden Changes in Behavior

Sometimes the earliest sign of illness is simply that your pet isn't acting like themselves.

Be particularly concerned if your pet suddenly:

• Becomes extremely withdrawn or difficult to wake
• Hides continuously
• Refuses food and water
• Seems confused or disoriented
• Cannot get comfortable
• Suddenly becomes unusually aggressive
• Stops responding normally to you

A significant change in behavior can be a sign of pain or illness, even when there are no obvious physical symptoms.

What Should I Do During a Pet Emergency?

If you think your pet is experiencing an emergency:

Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

If your regular veterinarian is closed, contact your local emergency veterinary hospital for instructions.

When possible, keep your pet calm and minimize movement during transport. If your pet has been injured, use a carrier, crate, or sturdy blanket to safely move them while avoiding unnecessary movement of painful areas.

If poisoning is suspected, bring the product packaging or a photo of the label with you.