Emergency signs
Which signs mean call now, and which mean come in today? A guide by urgency.
Animal
Call now
Do not wait. Call us before you set off.
Difficulty breathing
Labored, rapid, or wheezy breathing, open-mouth breathing in a cat, or a bird's tail bobbing up and down with each breath can be a sign of a serious problem. Keep your pet calm and call a veterinarian immediately.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Trying to urinate but being unable to
Frequently going to the litter box without being able to pass urine, straining, or crying out can be signs of a urinary tract blockage; it can become life-threatening within a short time, especially in male cats. It can be mistaken for constipation; call immediately without waiting.
Cat, Dog
Rapid swelling of the abdomen and unproductive retching
If your dog is trying to vomit but nothing comes up, and its abdomen is swelling and it is restless, this may be a sign of an emergency such as gastric dilatation and volvulus (stomach bloat and twisting). It is seen especially in large, deep-chested breeds; time is critical, so call immediately.
Dog
Suspected poisoning
If you suspect your pet has eaten, licked, or gotten something potentially toxic on its skin, call immediately without waiting for symptoms. Bring the product's packaging with you; do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Seizure (convulsion)
If the seizure is happening for the first time, lasts longer than 5 minutes, or repeats back to back, call immediately. During a seizure, do not put your hand near the animal's mouth, remove any dangerous objects from the surrounding area, and note how long the seizure lasts.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Loss of consciousness or sudden collapse
Fainting, unresponsiveness, or being unable to stand up can be a sign of a serious heart, circulatory, or nervous system problem. Keep your pet calm and on a flat surface, and call immediately.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Pale, white, bluish or gray gums
Gums losing their normal pink color can be a sign of blood loss, circulatory problems or insufficient oxygen. Call immediately.
Dog, Cat
Bleeding that won't stop or is severe
Bleeding that does not stop within a few minutes, spurts, or is heavy is an emergency. If possible, press a clean cloth or gauze pad against the wound and set out right away, and call the clinic.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Traffic accident, fall from a height, or crushing injury
Even if your pet looks fine on the outside, problems such as internal bleeding or lung injury may become apparent later. An animal in pain may bite; handle it carefully, transport it in a blanket or box if possible, and call immediately.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Difficult birth (dystocia)
Not delivering a new puppy for more than 30 minutes despite strong contractions, a gap of more than 2 hours between puppies without contractions, or no puppy being delivered after more than 4 hours of labor effort may be a sign of dystocia (difficult birth). Also call immediately if there is dark green or foul-smelling discharge, or heavy bleeding, before a puppy has been delivered.
Dog, Cat
Signs of heatstroke
Excessively rapid breathing, heavy drooling, stumbling, vomiting or collapse after being in hot weather or in a closed vehicle may be signs of heatstroke. Move your pet to a shaded, cool place immediately and call the clinic; the veterinarian will tell you what to do on the way. Start cooling before you leave: wet your pet with cool (not ice-cold) water and keep it in a current of air; continue cooling on the way as well.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Eye injury or displaced (proptosed) eye
An object lodged in the eye, sudden clouding of the eye, bleeding, or the eye bulging forward out of its socket can lead to loss of vision. Do not press on the eye, try to prevent your pet from scratching or rubbing its eye, and call us immediately.
Dog, Cat, Bird, Rabbit, Rodent
Sudden paralysis or dragging of the legs
Suddenly being unable to use the legs, dragging the hind legs, or crying out in severe pain can be signs of emergencies such as a spinal problem or a blocked blood vessel. Move your pet as little as possible, carry them on a flat surface, and call immediately.
Dog, Cat, Rabbit
Rabbit stops eating or not passing droppings
In rabbits, not eating or not passing droppings for 12 hours can indicate that the digestive system has slowed down or stopped, and the condition can become serious within hours. Do not wait; call immediately.
Rabbit
Fluffed-up feathers, dozing, and sitting on the cage floor in birds
Birds hide their illnesses for a long time; constantly fluffed-up feathers, dozing with the eyes closed, being unable to stay on the perch, or sitting on the floor of the cage can be signs of an advanced illness. Keep the bird in a warm, quiet environment and call us immediately.
Bird
Allergic reaction after a vaccine or insect sting
Swelling of the face, lips or throat, widespread hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing or collapse can be signs of an allergic reaction. If it started shortly after a vaccine or a bee sting, call immediately without waiting.
Dog, Cat, Rabbit
Head tilt or loss of balance in rabbits
A head tilt, walking in circles, rolling, or eye flickering can be a sign of a serious problem in a rabbit. Keep your rabbit in a quiet, confined space, prevent it from falling, and call us immediately.
Rabbit
Tremors, restlessness and seizures in a nursing mother
In the weeks after giving birth, tremors, restlessness, rapid breathing, staggering or seizures in a nursing mother may be signs of low blood calcium. Call immediately.
Dog, Cat
Be seen today
Have a vet examine your pet the same day.
Cat not eating for more than 24 hours
In cats, prolonged fasting can lead to serious problems such as fatty liver disease. If your cat has not eaten for more than a day, call for an examination the same day; if vomiting, lethargy, or yellowing of the whites of the eyes accompanies it, do not wait.
Cat
Repeated vomiting or blood in vomit or stool
Vomiting several times in a day, blood in the vomit, or black, tar-like stool requires an examination the same day. If your pet is very young or elderly, extremely weak or lethargic, has pale gums, or is retching without producing anything, call immediately.
Dog, Cat
Bite or puncture wound
A bite from another animal may look small on the outside, but it can cause deep tissue damage and later lead to an abscess; call us for a same-day examination. Call immediately if the wound is on the chest or abdomen, if it is bleeding heavily, if the animal is weak or lethargic, or if a bird or small mammal has been bitten by a cat or dog. If your pet has bitten someone or has been bitten by another animal, a report must be made to the provincial or district directorate for rabies purposes; the person who was bitten must go to a healthcare facility.
Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Rodent, Bird
Discharge, excessive thirst and lethargy in an unspayed female
Vaginal discharge, excessive thirst, frequent urination, loss of appetite or lethargy a few weeks after heat may be signs of a uterine infection. A same-day examination is needed; if there is vomiting, abdominal swelling or severe lethargy, call immediately.
Dog, Cat
Book an appointment soon
Come in within 1–2 days; call immediately if it gets worse.
Mild diarrhea, general condition good
If your pet is playful, has a good appetite and is drinking water, you can book an appointment within 1–2 days for mild diarrhea. If the diarrhea continues, if blood is seen, if vomiting or lethargy develops, or if your pet is a puppy/kitten or a senior animal, call the same day.
Dog, Cat
Mild cough or sneezing, general condition good
If your pet's appetite and energy are normal, you can schedule an examination within 1–2 days. If difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, loss of appetite, lethargy, or dark nasal discharge is added, call immediately.
Dog, Cat