It can be an extremely scary experience if your pet ends up getting injured or sick, and it leaves you wondering whether you should bring them to the emergency veterinary hospital. However, while some scenarios are true emergencies, not all medical conditions need immediate treatment. If you notice any of the following issues in your pet, these can be signs that they need urgent care:

  • Bleeding — If your pet is bleeding internally or externally, from a wound or their mouth, nose, or rectum, for example, seek medical help. Blood in the urine or stool should also be treated immediately.
  • Choking — Panicked pets can easily bite, so take caution when trying to remove an object stuck in your pet’s mouth. If you can’t easily reach and remove the object, don’t waste time and head our way.
  • Seizures — When your pet is having a seizure, don’t restrain them, but protect them from falling off furniture or down the stairs. Seizuring pets can be unaware of their owners and may bite before they regain full consciousness. 
  • Poisoning — Do not try to make your pet vomit if they have ingested a toxin. Immediately contact an animal poison control helpline, whose veterinary toxicologists will provide the best plan of action to care for your pet. 
  • Burns — Chemical burns or those caused by fire are extremely painful and require extra care when providing first aid or moving an injured pet to bring them for emergency care.
  • Trauma — A pet who has been hit by a car or in a fight can have hidden injuries that are much more severe than the road rash or small puncture wound you can see, so a full veterinary exam is necessary.
  • Heatstroke — Heatstroke can prove fatal if left untreated.
  • Difficulty breathing — Respiratory distress must be treated immediately to avoid a worsening condition.

If you have any questions about what to do if your pet has a medical emergency, please contact us