Steps to Take In A Pet Emergency
If your pet is experiencing any symptoms or behaviours that you are concerned about, follow the steps below.
- Call Ahead - Contact the emergency animal hospital listed above to let them know you are on the way.
- Follow Instructions Provided - When you call the emergency pet hospital, instructions may be provided to help you apply first aid or otherwise make your pet as comfortable as possible while you make your way to the animal hospital.
- Stay Calm - Try to remain calm and be extra cautious around your pet. Pain can lead pets to react negatively towards anyone trying to help and they could bite or scratch.
- Bring Your Pet In For Care - Do not put yourself at risk when transporting your pet to your emergency vet.
Emergency FAQs
Read through some frequently asked questions below to learn more about what to do in an emergency.
- Do I need to call ahead?
It is always best to contact the emergency animal hospital so they can give your instructions.
- What situations require emergency veterinary care?
Below are some examples of emergencies that require immediate care:
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
- Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Fractured bones or severe lameness
- Seizures and/or staggering
- Inability to urinate or pass feces
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea in 24-hours
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Heat stress or heatstroke
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness
- Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435. There will be a fee for this but most clinics advise you to call poison control when you bring them in and you pay for it regardless. Call early and get a case number and this can be given to your vet to call them back with no additional fees.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
Emergency animal hospitals operate similarly to a human doctor's office—it can be unpredictable and you may have to wait.
It simply isn't possible for hospital teams to predict what cases will be brought into the emergency clinic. We recommend that you call ahead before bringing your pet to the emergency hospital.
- What happens if my pet needs to stay in the hospital?
Some veterinary emergencies require intensive overnight care. If this is the case for your pet, the emergency hospital you attend will give you the information you need.