Is It a Pet Emergency?

Seek Emergency Care Immediately

• Difficulty breathing, gasping, or open-mouth breathing
• Collapse, unconsciousness, or severe weakness
• Severe bleeding that will not stop with gentle pressure
• Repeated seizures
• Hit by a vehicle, major fall, or other serious trauma
• Unable to urinate or repeated straining without producing urine
• Suspected poisoning or toxic exposure
• Severe heatstroke
• Severe eye injury
• Sudden inability to walk
• Severe or rapidly worsening pain

Call for Veterinary Advice Promptly

• Repeated vomiting or persistent diarrhea
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Sudden loss of appetite with unusual lethargy
• Persistent coughing or significant change in breathing
• Facial swelling or a suspected allergic reaction
• Sudden limping or worsening injury
• Behavior or activity that is dramatically different from normal

When in doubt, call. You know your pet better than anyone.

Common Household Dangers

Before You Leave for the ER

• Call the emergency hospital when possible.
• Bring current medications and important records if readily available.
• Bring the packaging or label for any suspected toxin.
• Transport your pet safely and keep them as calm as possible.
• Do not delay leaving in order to gather paperwork or belongings.