Your pet can’t tell you when something is wrong, so you need to be vigilant and informed about potential problems. Our Omega Veterinary Group team describes key signs that indicate your pet needs emergency veterinary attention.

1: Your pet is having difficulty breathing

Difficulty breathing can indicate serious conditions such as heart disease, pneumonia, or a foreign object obstructing the airway. Immediate veterinary attention is required to determine the cause and provide the necessary treatment. Breathing difficulties in your pet may appear as follows:

  • Rapid or shallow breathing
  • Persistent coughing or choking
  • Wheezing or gasping for air
  • Blue or pale gums

2: Your pet is vomiting excessively or having diarrhea

Excessive or persistent vomiting or diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and indicate underlying issues such as a gastrointestinal (GI) infection, poisoning, or pancreatitis. Quick action is needed to prevent further complications. GI problems that require urgent treatment for your pet include:

  • Vomiting more than once in a short period
  • Diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours
  • Blood in vomit or stool
  • Vomiting or diarrhea in conjunction with other signs such as lethargy, bloating, fever, abdominal pain, or inappetence

3: Your pet’s stomach is bloated

Abdominal bloating or swelling can be a sign of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat, which is life-threatening. This condition requires immediate veterinary intervention or surgery to prevent a fatal outcome. Dangerous bloating conditions in pets appear as follows:

  • A distended abdomen
  • Pain when you touch their stomach
  • Restlessness or inability to get comfortable
  • Attempts to vomit without bringing anything up

4: Your pet is suddenly weak or collapses

Sudden weakness or collapse can be associated with severe conditions such as heart disease, internal bleeding, or heatstroke. Immediate veterinary evaluation is essential to stabilize your pet and determine the cause. Watch for the following problems in your pet:

  • Sudden inability to stand or walk
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Unconsciousness
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

5: Your pet is bleeding uncontrollably

Persistent bleeding can result from trauma, a clotting disorder, or an internal injury. Immediate veterinary intervention is necessary to control the bleeding and address the underlying issue. Bleeding in your pet that constitutes an emergency includes:

  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop within a few minutes
  • Large amounts of blood from any body part
  • Bleeding accompanied by shock signs, including pale gums, rapid heartbeat, and shallow breathing

6: Your pet is having seizures

Seizures can be caused by epilepsy, toxin ingestion, a brain tumor, or a metabolic disorder. While a single seizure may not be life-threatening, multiple or prolonged seizures—status epilepticus—require emergency care. Seizure activity in your pet that requires emergency care includes:

  • Convulsions or uncontrollable shaking that does not stop
  • Temporary unconsciousness
  • Prolonged seizures with a failure to return to normal behavior

7: Your pet is unable to urinate or defecate

A urinary blockage, particularly in a male cat, can be life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Constipation can also signal an underlying health issue that needs prompt evaluation. Urination and defecation problems in pets that need veterinary treatment include:

  • Straining without producing urine or feces
  • Crying out in pain while trying to urinate or defecate
  • Frequent attempts to urinate with little or no result
  • Blood in urine

8: Your pet has sustained a traumatic injury

Any trauma, whether from an accident, a fall, or an altercation with wildlife or another pet, requires prompt veterinary care to assess an injury’s severity and provide necessary treatment. If your pet sustained an injury, look for:

  • Visible wounds or fractures
  • Limping or inability to move a limb
  • Pain signs such as whining or reluctance to move
  • Head trauma or eye injury

9: Your pet has developed an eye issue

Eye problems can rapidly escalate and may indicate conditions such as glaucoma, corneal ulcers, infections, or trauma. Immediate veterinary attention is required to prevent permanent damage or vision loss. Eye issues that require prompt care include:

  • Redness or swelling in or around the eye
  • Cloudiness or a visible change in the eye’s appearance
  • Discharge that is clear, yellow, green, or bloody
  • Squinting, pawing at the eye, or sensitivity to light
  • Eye bulging or sunken appearance 

10: Your pet is displaying unusual behavior or neurologic signs

Neurologic signs can indicate a stroke, brain injury, poisoning, or a severe infection. Immediate veterinary assessment is crucial to diagnose and manage these issues effectively. Abnormalities in your pet’s appearance and behavior that may be caused by a serious neurologic issue include:

  • Sudden behavior change such as aggression, confusion, or withdrawal
  • Head tilt or circling
  • Incoordination
  • Unresponsive pupils

Being able to recognize a pet emergency sign can help save your furry friend’s life. Always err on the side of caution and contact our Omega Veterinary Group team if you notice any of the signs we have discussed here.