How to know when your pet needs emergency care

Although some conditions, such as a broken bone, are an obvious emergency, it can sometimes be difficult to tell when your pet needs urgent care. The following situations always require immediate care:

How to know when your pet needs emergency care

Although some conditions, such as a broken bone, are an obvious emergency, it can sometimes be difficult to tell when your pet needs urgent care. The following situations always require immediate care:

  • Collapse
  • Known or suspected toxin ingestion
  • Snake bite
  • Bloated abdomen, especially if accompanied by unproductive retching
  • Inability to urinate or defecate

  • Bleeding that persists longer than five minutes
  • Wounds sustained from a fight
  • Inability to stand or walk
  • Dragging the back legs
  • Open-mouth breathing in cats

  • Hit by car
  • Gunshot wound
  • Heat stroke
  • Broken bone
  • Seizures
  • Allergic reaction
  • Difficulty breathing

  • Excessive vomiting (i.e., more than three occurrences in 24 hours, or vomiting lasting longer than 24 hours)
  • Persistent diarrhea (i.e., more than three occurrences in 24 hours, or diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours)
  • Foreign body ingestion

  • Collapse
  • Known or suspected toxin ingestion
  • Snake bite
  • Bloated abdomen, especially if accompanied by unproductive retching
  • Inability to urinate or defecate
  • Bleeding that persists longer than five minutes
  • Wounds sustained from a fight
  • Inability to stand or walk
  • Dragging the back legs
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Open-mouth breathing in cats
  • Hit by car
  • Gunshot wound
  • Heat stroke
  • Broken bone
  • Seizures
  • Allergic reaction
  • Excessive vomiting (i.e., more than three occurrences in 24 hours, or vomiting lasting longer than 24 hours)
  • Persistent diarrhea (i.e., more than three occurrences in 24 hours, or diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours)
  • Foreign body ingestion

We are here for you, and happily accept patients on a walk-in basis. However, if your pet requires emergency care, it is helpful if you can call us on the way, so we can be ready to provide immediate care as soon as you arrive.