About one in three pets needs emergency care each year. A veterinarian breaks down the most time-sensitive emergencies and the warning signs to never ignore.
No matter how well we care for our pets, accidents, injuries, and illness can and do happen. In fact, approximately one in three pets requires emergency care each year. One of the most difficult parts of pet parenting is determining how urgently to seek veterinary care if your pet is sick, yet sometimes this decision can make the difference between life and death. Below are some of the most common and time-sensitive emergencies I have seen as a vet, along with the symptoms pet parents should watch for at home.
Urinary obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the urethra becomes blocked, preventing urination. This may occur due to a plug of mucus and crystals, bladder stones, a tumor, or swelling of the urethra. When an obstruction occurs, the bladder becomes large, hard, and painful, and the kidneys cannot do their job of removing toxins from the blood and balancing fluids and electrolytes. If not treated promptly, death will typically occur within 48 hours.
Most commonly affects male cats. While this condition can occur in dogs and female cats, males are more susceptible because they have a longer and narrower urethra, the tube through which urine is expelled from the bladder. Indoor and overweight male cats are especially susceptible.
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Treatment typically involves hospitalization for several days to catheterize the urethra, relieve the obstruction and drain the bladder, and manage dangerous electrolyte abnormalities and kidney function.
Bloat occurs when the stomach becomes distended with food, fluid, or air. This condition can become a life-threatening emergency (GDV) if the dilated stomach twists on itself, cutting off critical blood supply, and rapidly leading to shock, tissue damage, and death without immediate treatment.
Most commonly affects dogs, especially large deep-chested breeds (such as the Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, etc.)
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Stabilization and surgery to decompress, untwist, and tack the stomach are critical for survival.
Feline aortic thromboembolism is an acute, life-threatening condition in which a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in the aorta, most commonly where it branches to supply the hind legs. It is most commonly associated with underlying heart disease.
Most commonly affects cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Unfortunately, this condition is extremely painful and often has a poor prognosis, and pet parents often decide to euthanize. Treatments may include hospitalization for supportive care such as pain medication and blood thinners, diagnostics and treatment of underlying heart disease, and a long and difficult recovery period.
Pyometra occurs when the uterus becomes infected and filled with bacteria and pus. In an open pyometra, the cervix remains open and vaginal discharge may be visible. In a closed pyometra, the cervix is closed, so infected material remains trapped inside the uterus, which can lead to severe systemic illness, uterine rupture, sepsis, and death. Both conditions are considered emergencies.
Most commonly affects unspayed female dogs and cats. In female dogs pyometra is most often seen after a heat cycle. Rarely, a stump pyometra can occur in spayed animals if there is any residual ovarian tissue left.
Signs to watch for:
What to do: In vet school we are taught to “never let the sun set on a pyometra”. Immediate treatment, including stabilization, antibiotics, and an emergency ovariohysterectomy (spay) is critical for survival. Always seek emergency veterinary care if you suspect your female dog or cat has a pyometra.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in which an animal’s body temperature rises to dangerously high levels (often over 105 F), and can quickly result in damage to the brain and other vital organs, abnormal blood clotting, shock, and death. Heatstroke most often occurs after exposure to high temperatures, especially when an animal is confined in a hot car or poorly ventilated area, or after strenuous exercise in hot weather.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats. Dogs are more frequently affected, and brachycephalic breeds, overweight pets, or animals with underlying heart or respiratory disease may be at greater risk.
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Immediately move your pet out of the heat and offer fresh water if they are able to drink. Begin cooling measures by using cool (not cold) water to wet their body and turn on the AC while en route to the emergency clinic.
It’s common for animals to eat things they shouldn’t, and in many cases small objects are able to pass through the intestines without issue. However, if an object becomes stuck, it can block food and liquid from passing, leading to a life-threatening bowel obstruction. This can result in lack of nutrient absorption, dehydration, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, as well as pressure on the intestines themselves, leading to tissue death or perforation in some cases. Common foreign body obstructions include corn cobs, absorbent materials such as diapers or tampons, chewed toys or blankets, and linear objects, such as ribbon, string, and rubber bands (especially in cats). Obstructions may also be caused by large numbers of parasites, tumors, or inflammation in the intestinal tract.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Seek emergency care for persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Foreign body obstructions are diagnosed with imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound, and typically require abdominal surgery to remove the object and any dead tissue. If you see a linear object protruding from the mouth or anus, never pull on it. If you see your pet eat something they shouldn’t, contact your vet immediately, as they may be able to induce vomiting or use endoscopy to remove the dangerous object before it causes an obstruction.
There are many substances in and around our homes that are toxic to our pets, such as certain human foods and plants, medications, cleaning products, rodenticide, antifreeze, and more. The severity of the situation depends on what, when, and how much your pet has eaten. The toxic mechanism, clinical signs, and treatment recommendations vary significantly.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for: Symptoms of toxin exposure can vary significantly, but may include
What to do: Make note of what your pet has eaten, how much, when ingestion occurred, and what (if any) symptoms you have observed. Do not assume that your pet is ok just because you have not noticed symptoms; sometimes onset is delayed until days after ingestion when the situation has become dire. If you are unsure if emergency treatment is necessary, it is best to call ASPCA or Pet Poison Helpline, where you can speak to a specialist for a fee. They will provide you with detailed recommendations as well as a case number for your vet to follow up if treatment is indicated. Do not use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting at home unless a vet has specifically instructed you to do so. Hydrogen peroxide should never be used in cats.
Trauma can cause injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to damage to the chest or abdominal organs. Internal bleeding occurs when blood vessels or organs are damaged and blood accumulates inside the body, where it may not be visible. It can result from being hit by a car, animal fights, clotting disorders, or rupture of an internal mass. In dogs, ruptured splenic tumors (such as hemangiosarcoma) are an important cause of sudden internal bleeding. Because internal bleeding may not be obvious from the outside, pets can become critically ill before the cause is recognized.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Trauma and suspected internal bleeding are veterinary emergencies. Even if a pet appears normal after significant trauma, prompt veterinary evaluation is important because internal injuries may not cause obvious signs right away. If there is external bleeding, apply gentle, firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Treatment may include IV fluids, pain medications, blood transfusions, oxygen, and emergency surgery.
Anaphylaxis is an immediate and severe allergic reaction. Potential triggers include insect stings or bites, medications, vaccines, foods, or other allergens. Anaphylaxis affects multiple organ systems and may lead to breathing problems, shock, and death if not treated promptly.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Seek immediate veterinary care, especially if your pet is having difficulty breathing, becomes weak or collapses, or develops rapidly worsening signs. Treatment may include epinephrine, IV fluids, oxygen, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and other medications to support blood pressure and breathing. With rapid treatment, many pets recover well, but severe anaphylaxis can be fatal if treatment is delayed.
Respiratory distress means a pet is struggling to breathe or is unable to get enough oxygen. It is not a specific disease but can occur with many serious conditions involving the heart, lungs, airways, or chest cavity. In dogs, common causes include heart failure, pneumonia, upper airway obstruction, laryngeal disease, trauma, and cancer. In cats, common causes include heart failure, feline asthma, pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), pneumonia, cancer, trauma, and upper airway obstruction. Because pets with respiratory distress can deteriorate rapidly, any significant difficulty breathing should be treated as an emergency.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats. Brachycephalic breeds are commonly affected.
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Difficulty breathing is always an emergency. Keep your pet calm and transport them to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. At the hospital, your pet may be placed in an oxygen cage or given oxygen by mask or nasal tubing while the veterinary team stabilizes them and determines the underlying cause. Depending on the problem, treatment may include medications, draining fluid or air from around the lungs, or other emergency procedures. Prognosis varies widely depending on the cause and how quickly treatment is started.
Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that temporarily alter a pet’s consciousness, behavior, movement, or sensation. There are many different types of seizures and many possible underlying causes, including toxin ingestion, hypoglycemia, epilepsy, infection, or brain tumors. The age at which seizures begin can help your vet determine the most likely cause. For example, seizures in a puppy or kitten may be associated with a congenital defect, animals between 1 and 5 years of age are more likely to have epilepsy, and seizures occurring for the first time in seniors are often associated with brain tumors.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: Watching a pet have a seizure can be scary. Keep your pet away from stairs, furniture, or other hazards, and remove other pets from the room, but do not restrain them or put your hands near their mouth. Time the seizure and, if it is safe to do so, take a video to show your veterinarian. Seek emergency veterinary care if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if your pet has two or more seizures within 24 hours, or if your pet has trouble breathing, remains severely disoriented, or may have been exposed to a toxin. Pets who have a seizure for the first time should see their vet, but as long as they have recovered uneventfully it is often ok to wait and see their primary vet rather than an emergency vet. Your veterinarian will recommend testing to determine an underlying cause and discuss if and when antiseizure medications may be recommended.
There is a common veterinary saying that “eyes are always an emergency”. Eye issues may run the gamut from the relatively minor (such as conjunctivitis) to severe (such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, or proptosis), and everything in between. Eyes are fragile, and damage can quickly lead to rapid deterioration and vision loss, which is why it is always best to see the vet sooner rather than later.
Most commonly affects dogs and cats
Signs to watch for:
What to do: The symptoms listed above require same-day or emergency care. Minor redness, irritation, or chronic changes can likely wait until your regular veterinarian is available. If you opt to wait, a cone may help prevent rubbing, scratching, and further damage to the eyes. In addition to a physical exam, your vet may recommend several eye tests, such as fluorescein stain to check for scratches or ulcers on the surface of the eye, a Schirmer tear test to evaluate tear production, and tonometry to determine intraocular pressure.
In a true emergency, time is of the essence. If the emergency happens during business hours, you may call your veterinarian first. They may recommend coming right in, or if they are fully booked or suspect that your pet may need more extensive care, might instruct you to head directly to a 24-hour emergency clinic. Always call ahead on your way to the emergency clinic to let them know that you are bringing in a sick pet and what is going on. It’s also important to remember that while the symptoms discussed above are often indicative of common veterinary emergencies, there are also many other less serious medical conditions that may cause similar clinical signs.
Financial planning is an often overlooked part of responsible pet ownership, but it can have significant implications on your pet’s health. Lack of financial planning can lead to having to decline recommended medical treatment, debt and poor credit, and in the most heartbreaking cases, euthanasia or surrender of a pet.
In addition to budgeting for expected pet care costs and preventive veterinary care, it’s critical to have a plan in place for how to handle a veterinary emergency, which can quickly exceed thousands of dollars in cost. This plan may involve pet insurance and/or a dedicated emergency fund. Pet insurance may be most beneficial when purchased while a pet is still young and healthy. Not only does it cost more to insure older pets, but they often develop medical conditions that could be considered pre-existing and therefore excluded. Unlike medical insurance, most pet insurance relies on a reimbursement model, which means that pet parents are still responsible for paying upfront costs at the time of treatment, which is where having an emergency fund as well can be especially helpful. Having a plan in place before an emergency occurs allows you to focus on getting your pet the care they need when every minute counts.
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https://www.aaha.org/resources/recognizing-the-signs-of-poisoning-in-dogs/
https://bluepearlvet.com/pet-blog/common-pet-emergencies/
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=7259196&pid=14365
