As a vet student and former small animal nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to overlook a pet emergency — until it’s too late. Pets often hide pain and discomfort, and what looks like a minor issue could actually be life-threatening.
This blog will walk you through 13 commonly misunderstood emergencies, what signs to look for, and why acting fast can save your pet’s life.
🐾 1. Difficulty Breathing (Dyspnea)
What it looks like:
- Open-mouth breathing in cats (always abnormal)
- Labored, noisy, or rapid breathing
- Blue or pale gums
- Flared nostrils or extended neck while breathing
- Lethargy, weakness
Why it’s an emergency:
Breathing problems can escalate fast. Lack of oxygen affects the heart, brain, and vital organs. Waiting even minutes could be the difference between life and death. Common causes include fluid in the lungs, asthma, or airway obstructions.
What to do:
- Keep calm and quiet.
- Avoid restraint or stress.
- Call ahead to the vet or ER. Transport your pet immediately to the vet.
🐕 2. Bloated Abdomen & Retching (Especially in Large Dogs)
What it looks like:
- Bloated or distended stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Attempting to vomit but nothing comes out
- Restlessness, pacing, drooling
- Dry heaving
- Shortness of breath
- Pale gums
- Hypothermia
- Lethargy, possibly to the point of collapse
Why it’s an emergency:
This could be Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) — a twisting of the stomach that cuts off blood supply. It’s fatal without immediate surgery. Prompt treatment is associated with survival rates of greater than 80 percent. Large breeds like German Shepherds or Great Danes are especially at risk.
What to do:
- Rush to emergency vet (call prior).
- Do not try to relieve pressure. Time = survival.
🧠 3. Collapse, Seizures, or Fainting
What it looks like:
- Sudden loss of consciousness
- Twitching or paddling limbs (during seizures)
- Drooling, vocalizing, or loss of bladder control
- Disorientation or weakness after the episode
Why it’s an emergency:
These symptoms may be due to seizures, heart disease, toxin exposure, or low blood sugar. It’s critical to determine the cause quickly — some are treatable, others life-threatening.
What to do:
- Keep them safe (cushioned, no sharp objects).
- See vet immediately if seizure lasts >3 mins or happens more than once. Call your vet before heading over.
🐈 4. Straining to Urinate (Especially Male Cats)
What it looks like:
- Frequent trips to the litter box
- Straining or crying while urinating
- Little to no urine output
- Lethargy or vomiting
Why it’s an emergency:
Male cats can suffer from urethral blockages, where crystals or mucus plug the urethra. This prevents urination, causes severe pain, and leads to kidney failure and death if not treated urgently.
What to do:
- Immediate vet visit (call prior).
- Do not wait overnight. Can be fatal within 24–48 hrs.
🩸 5. Pale, Blue, or Grey Gums
What it looks like:
- Lifting the lip reveals pale pink, white, blue, or grey gums
- Cold limbs
- Rapid heartbeat
- Lethargy
Why it’s an emergency:
This can indicate shock, internal bleeding, or severe anemia. Gums are one of the best windows into a pet’s circulatory status.
What to do:
- Get to the vet urgently (call prior).
- Try to keep pet warm and calm.
🦴 6. Non-Weight-Bearing Lameness or Sudden Pain
What it looks like:
- Refusing to put weight on one leg
- Sudden yelping, limping, or guarding a limb
- Swelling, bruising, or unusual limb angle
Why it’s an emergency:
Fractures, ligament tears (like a cruciate rupture), or even dislocations need prompt treatment. Delaying care can lead to worsening damage and more complex recovery.
What to do:
- Confine your pet immediately to prevent further damage (use a carrier or towel-sling for large dogs).
- Do not manipulate the limb or give human painkillers (toxic!).
- Seek vet care the same day — they’ll need to examine the joint/bone and possibly take X-rays.
- If both hind limbs are affected or limbs feel cold = go to emergency vet immediately.
🐾 7. Hit by a Car (Even If Walking Normally)
What it looks like:
- Pet appears shaken but can walk
- No visible injuries, or only minor scrapes
Why it’s an emergency:
Internal bleeding, lung bruising, or ruptured organs can occur without visible signs. Even a light hit should be checked immediately. X-rays and ultrasound can detect hidden injuries.
What to do:
- See a vet ASAP for X-rays and monitoring.
- Don’t wait to “see if it gets worse.”
🧪 8. Ingestion of Toxins
What it looks like:
- Vomiting, drooling, or seizures
- History of eating chocolate, lilies, grapes, xylitol gum, medications, etc.
Why it’s an emergency:
Some toxins (e.g. lilies in cats or grapes in dogs) can cause kidney or liver failure even if your pet looks fine at first. Inducing vomiting or giving activated charcoal must be done under vet guidance.
What to do:
- Call your vet immediately, even when it is only suspected that your pet has ingested toxins.
🤢 9. Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
What it looks like:
- Multiple episodes in a short time
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Lethargy, dehydration, or refusing food
Why it’s an emergency:
This can lead to dangerous dehydration or signal a foreign body, pancreatitis, or parvovirus (especially in puppies and kittens). Small pets dehydrate quickly, making early vet care crucial.
What to do:
- Inform your vet. Your vet may suggest to withhold food for a few hours (not water) and monitor. Young, small, or brachycephalic pets need care faster.
- Any blood present should be seen by the vet as soon as possible.
🌡️ 10. Heatstroke
What it looks like:
- High body temperature (above 39.5°C)
- Excessive panting, drooling, collapse
- Red or purple gums, vomiting,
Why it’s an emergency:
Heatstroke can cause rapid organ damage and death. Brachycephalic breeds (like Frenchies or Pugs), obese pets and pets left in hot environments or lack access to water are at high risk. Cool your pet gradually and seek emergency care.
What to do:
- Start cooling: place cool wet towel over body, use fans.
- Do NOT use ice.
- Rush to vet (call prior).
🩹 11. Uncontrolled Bleeding or Deep Wounds
What it looks like:
- Blood soaking through a bandage
- Visible muscle, bone, or fat
- Wounds near the eyes, joints, or belly
- Dog bites
Why it’s an emergency:
Excessive blood loss can cause shock. Deep or contaminated wounds risk infection or permanent damage. Even if the bleeding seems minor (e.g. dog bite wound may look like just a small wound, it can go deep), it’s safer to let a vet assess and clean it.
What to do:
- Apply clean pressure bandage.
- Keep calm and elevate if possible.
- Rush to the vet immediately (call prior).
⚠️ 12. Obvious Signs of Pain or Extreme Anxiety
What it looks like:
- Sudden aggression, confusion, or hiding
- Crying, restlessness, or pacing
Signs of Pain:
- Whining, yelping, growling when touched
- Restlessness, panting, not settling
- Hiding, trembling, or sudden aggression
- Limping, not eating, changes in posture
- Staring at one spot, licking excessively
Signs of Extreme Anxiety/Distress:
- Pacing, panting, drooling
- Inappropriate urination/defecation
- Desperate attempts to escape
- Wide eyes, dilated pupils, trembling
- Unresponsive to calming
Why it’s an emergency:
These signs may reflect severe pain, toxin ingestion, neurological problems, or even an early seizure. Behavior is often the first clue something is seriously wrong.
What to do:
- Keep the environment quiet and safe
- Avoid touching painful areas
- Do NOT give human medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen (toxic to pets)
- Call your vet for urgent evaluation — same-day care is often needed
- If your pet seems panicked and won’t settle, especially if paired with other symptoms (vomiting, collapse, panting), go to the vet immediately
🧿 13. Eye Emergencies: Red, Cloudy, Swollen, or Squinting Eyes
What it looks like:
- Squinting or keeping one eye shut
- Pawing/rubbing at the eye
- Discharge (clear, green, or yellow)
- Eye appears red, bulging, cloudy, or sunken
- Sudden blindness or bumping into things
- Visible injury or foreign object
Why it’s an emergency:
Eyes are extremely sensitive. Delaying treatment can result in vision loss or eye rupture.
Urgent possibilities include:
- Corneal ulcer: painful, can rupture
- Glaucoma: increased pressure — eye emergency
- Lens luxation: dislocated lens
- Uveitis: inflammation inside the eye
- Scratch or trauma: from play, fights, or debris
What to do:
- Prevent more damage: use an e-collar if pawing
- Do not use human eye drops
- Seek vet care same day — your vet may need to do a fluorescein stain or measure intraocular pressure
🩺 What To Do in a Suspected Emergency
- Stay calm – your pet senses your panic.
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic – they can guide you on what to do next.
- Do not give human medications unless instructed (many are toxic to pets).
- Transport safely – secure your pet in a carrier or blanket, avoid jostling injured limbs.
- Bring any packaging or info (e.g. toxin ingested, time of injury, etc.).
🐕🦺 When in Doubt — Call
It’s always better to overreact than underreact. If something feels “off,” trust your gut and get veterinary advice. Early intervention saves lives, money, and reduces suffering.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Pet emergencies can be terrifying, but recognizing the signs early can mean the difference between life and death. Save this guide, share it with your pet-loving friends, and always have your vet’s emergency number handy.
References
- AKC Canine Health Foundation | Understanding Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or “Bloat”. (n.d.). Canine Health Foundation. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/bloat/understanding-bloat.html
- Jones, L. (2022, August 26). Poisons in Dogs. PetMD. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/poisons-dogs
- Morrison, B. J., & Coates, J. (2022, August 9). Poisons in Cats. PetMD. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.petmd.com/cat/poisoning/poisons-in-cats13 Animal emergencies that require immediate veterinary consultation and/or care. (n.d.). American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/13-animal-emergencies-require-immediate-veterinary-consultation-andor-care
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