When to go to the emergency vet: signs you shouldn't wait
If you're asking whether your pet needs the emergency vet, call one. A quick phone call to a 24/7 animal hospital costs nothing, and the team can tell you whether to come in now or watch and wait.
That said, some signs mean you should skip the debate and go. Here's how to tell the difference.
Go to the emergency vet now
These problems can turn life-threatening within minutes or hours. Call the nearest emergency animal hospital on your way.
- Trouble breathing. Open-mouth breathing in a cat, heavy panting at rest, gasping, blue or gray gums, or noisy breathing.
- Collapse or sudden weakness. Your pet can't stand, falls over, or seems suddenly confused or unresponsive.
- Seizures. Any seizure lasting more than 3 to 5 minutes, or more than one seizure in 24 hours.
- Swollen belly with retching. A dog trying to vomit but bringing nothing up, with a tight or bloated belly, may have bloat (GDV). This is one of the most urgent emergencies in dogs, especially large, deep-chested breeds.
- A male cat straining to pee. Frequent trips to the litter box with little or no urine can mean a urinary blockage, which can be fatal within a day or two.
- Possible poisoning. Chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), grapes or raisins, lilies (for cats), rat poison, antifreeze, or human medications. Don't wait for symptoms.
- Heavy bleeding that doesn't slow after 5 minutes of firm pressure.
- Hit by a car, a fall or another major trauma, even if your pet seems fine. Internal injuries don't always show right away.
- Pale gums. White or very pale pink gums can point to blood loss or shock.
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood, or in a puppy, kitten or senior pet.
- Heatstroke. Heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbling or vomiting after time in heat.
- Eye injuries or a suddenly bulging, cloudy or squinting eye.
- Trouble giving birth. Strong straining for 30 minutes or more without a puppy or kitten, or more than 2 hours between babies.
- Severe pain. Crying out, hiding, refusing to move, or snapping when touched.
- Swelling of the face or hives, which can mean an allergic reaction that may affect breathing.
Usually okay to call your regular vet in the morning
These deserve attention but often aren't urgent if your pet is otherwise acting normal, eating and drinking:
- A single episode of vomiting or soft stool
- A mild limp where your pet still puts weight on the leg
- Itchy skin, ear scratching or a small hot spot
- A small cut that has stopped bleeding
- Skipping one meal
If anything gets worse, or your gut tells you something is off, call an emergency vet. You know your pet best.
What to do on the way
- Call ahead. The team can prepare oxygen, a treatment room or a surgeon, and they'll tell you if they're too full to take you.
- Move your pet carefully. Use a carrier for cats and small dogs. For a large injured dog, a blanket or board makes a good stretcher.
- Bring evidence. Packaging, the plant, the pill bottle, or a photo of what your pet ate.
- Grab their records if you have them handy, including medications and doses.
- Don't give human medicine. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and many others are toxic to pets.
What happens when you arrive
Emergency animal hospitals use triage, the same system human ERs use. A nurse checks your pet quickly and the sickest patients are seen first. If your pet is stable, you may wait while the team handles a more critical case. That wait is a good sign for your pet.
After the exam, you'll get a treatment plan and an estimate. You can ask questions, choose between options and approve what fits your budget. Our emergency vet cost guide covers typical prices.
Find the nearest 24/7 emergency vet.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call the emergency vet before going?
Yes. Calling lets the team prepare for your pet and tells you if they're at capacity. If your pet isn't breathing or is bleeding heavily, head straight over and call from the car.
Can an emergency vet tell me over the phone if I need to come in?
Many will give general guidance on whether to come in, though they can't diagnose without an exam. When in doubt, they'll usually suggest coming in.
Is vomiting an emergency for a dog?
One episode in an otherwise happy dog usually isn't. Repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, retching with nothing coming up, or vomiting with a swollen belly or lethargy is.
Is it an emergency if my cat hasn't peed?
If your cat, especially a male, is straining in the litter box and producing little or no urine, treat it as an emergency and go now.