When Should I Take My Pet to an Emergency Vet?
How To Know When Your Pet Needs Immediate Treatment
It’s scary when your pet is having a medical issue, especially if it’s at night and your regular veterinarian’s office is closed. It can be difficult to decide if you should rush to an emergency vet or if it can wait until morning.
Here’s how to make the safest choice for your pet.
What Qualifies as a Pet Emergency?
Any situation in which your pet’s life is in danger is a veterinary emergency. In these cases, any delay could potentially be fatal or cause lasting harm.
Emergencies often involve essential bodily functions like breathing, circulation or neurological state.
Other problems, like ear infections, require the attention of a vet but are not likely to pose an immediate threat, and can wait until morning.
It’s up to you, as a pet parent, to decide when your dog or cat needs urgent care and when it can wait.
Signs Your Pet Needs Immediate Emergency Care
If your pet has a life-threatening, rapidly worsening or unstable condition, you should seek immediate medical care.
These include:
Breathing Difficulty
If your pet is wheezing, choking or gasping for air, seek immediate treatment. Other signs of problems include exaggerated chest movements, constant heavy panting not related to heat or exercise, and pale, gray or blue gums that indicate low oxygen levels.
Severe Trauma or Uncontrollable Bleeding
Major trauma from a fall, attack by another animal or being struck by a car requires emergency vet intervention, even if your pet initially seems fine. Internal injuries and bleeding can be deadly, even with no outer signs.
Heavy bleeding, pulsating or bleeding that doesn’t stop within five minutes with direct pressure is also an emergency.
Seizures, Neurological Issues and Sudden Collapse
A pet that suddenly becomes unresponsive or collapses needs immediate veterinary attention. Seizures are always serious medical events, as is loss of consciousness or other neurological issues.
Situations That May Be Safe to Monitor Until Morning
Not every health issue requires emergency treatment. Some may be monitored for a short time until you’re able to seek help from a vet.
Concerns that should be monitored, but are not usually emergencies, include:
- Mild vomiting or diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Limping without severe pain
- Skin irritations
- Eye issues that don’t cause distress
- Moderate urinary problems
When in Doubt, Err on the Side of Caution
If you’re not sure if your pet needs medical treatment right away, err on the side of caution. It’s better to take a dog or cat to urgent care when it isn’t needed than let your fuzzy friend potentially suffer long-term damage.