One of the most stressful experiences for any pet owner is facing a potential medical emergency outside of regular veterinary hours. The emergency vet is expensive, and you don't want to go for no reason. But waiting too long with a true emergency can have devastating consequences. So how do you decide?
This guide separates pet health issues into three categories: Absolute Emergencies (Go to the ER Now), Urgent Issues (Call the ER for Advice), and Non-Emergencies (Can Wait for Your Vet).
Go to the ER Immediately If You See These Signs
These symptoms are life-threatening and require immediate veterinary intervention. Do not wait. If you see any of the following, get your pet in the car and go to the nearest open veterinary emergency hospital.
- Difficulty Breathing: This includes noisy breathing, blue-tinged gums or tongue, panting constantly (especially a cat), or using their abdominal muscles to breathe.
- Collapse or Inability to Stand: If your pet cannot stand up, is stumbling as if drunk (ataxia), or suddenly collapses.
- Seizures: A seizure lasting more than 3 minutes, or multiple seizures in a row (cluster seizures). Any first-time seizure is also an emergency.
- Uncontrolled Bleeding: Bleeding from any part of the body that does not stop or slow with firm pressure after 5 minutes.
- Severe Pain: Obvious, high-level pain such as crying out when touched, hiding and growling, or being completely unwilling to move.
- Major Trauma: Hit by a car, a fall from a significant height, a deep bite wound—even if the pet seems fine. There can be serious internal injuries.
- Repeated, Unproductive Vomiting/Retching: Especially in large, deep-chested dogs. This is a classic sign of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or "bloat"), a deadly condition where the stomach twists.
- Inability to Urinate: Straining to urinate with little or no urine coming out. This is especially critical for male cats and can indicate a life-threatening urinary blockage.
- Known Toxin Ingestion: If you know your pet has ingested antifreeze, rat poison, large amounts of chocolate (especially dark), xylitol (an artificial sweetener), or human medications. Bring the packaging with you.
- Severe Allergic Reaction: Swelling of the face, muzzle, or throat, or the sudden appearance of hives all over the body.
- Extreme Body Temperature: A body temperature over 104°F (40°C) or under 99°F (37.2°C) can be life-threatening. This often manifests as heatstroke or hypothermia.
Call the ER for Advice for These Urgent Issues
These conditions are serious and may require an ER visit, but it's often best to call the emergency clinic first. They can advise you whether to come in based on the specifics. They are staffed to handle these calls.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea (Multiple Episodes): One or two episodes of vomiting or diarrhea might not be an emergency, but if it's continuous for several hours, or if you see blood, it's time to call.
- Not Eating or Drinking: Refusing one meal isn't a crisis. But if your pet (especially a cat) has gone more than 24 hours without eating, or is showing other signs of illness, it's a concern.
- Minor Wounds or Lacerations: A cut that is not bleeding profusely but may need stitches. The ER can tell you if it can wait.
- Eye Issues: Squinting, holding an eye shut, or a cloudy/discolored eye. Eye problems can go from bad to worse quickly.
- Limping: If the pet is putting no weight on the limb at all, it's more urgent. If they are just slightly limping, it can often wait.
- Hives or Mild Facial Swelling: A mild allergic reaction without any difficulty breathing.
- Confusion or Disorientation: Especially in an older pet, this could be a sign of a neurological problem or Vestibular Disease.
When It Can Likely Wait for Your Regular Vet
These are common issues that, while uncomfortable for your pet, are generally not life-threatening and can wait for an appointment with your primary veterinarian.
- Mild lethargy, but still eating and drinking
- Occasional, intermittent cough or sneeze (but no trouble breathing)
- Itchy skin, hot spots, or ear infections
- A single episode of vomiting or diarrhea, with the pet acting normal otherwise
- A broken nail (unless bleeding uncontrollably)
- A tick you've found on your pet
- Lameness that comes and goes
The Most Important Rule: When in Doubt, Go
You know your pet better than anyone. If your intuition is telling you that something is seriously wrong, trust it. It is always better to go to the ER and be told your pet is fine than to wait at home and risk their life. The peace of mind alone is worth the exam fee.
Be Prepared for the ER
If you decide to go, try to do the following to make the process smoother:
- Call ahead. Let them know you're coming and what the issue is. This allows them to prepare.
- Know the ER's location. Have the address and number of the two nearest 24/7 vet hospitals saved in your phone.
- Bring any relevant items. If your pet ingested something, bring the wrapper or container.
- Be ready for a wait. Emergency vets triage patients just like human ERs. The most critical cases are seen first, so you may have to wait if your pet is stable.