What’s Wrong with My Pet? The 10 Most Common Pet Emergencies and Conditions at the Emergency Vet

The diagnostic process involves mapping symptoms to conditions.

When pets arrive at the ER, most of them have emergency-level symptoms like:

• Severe vomiting
• Severe diarrhea
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Difficulty breathing
• Urinary issues
• Unexpected or severe seizures
• Inability to walk
• Swollen abdomen
• Loss of consciousness
• Major injuries

Your pet’s emergency vet will examine their symptoms and history and recommend tests to get a full picture of your pet’s health. This information will help piece together the puzzle of your pet’s diagnosis.

What are the most common pet emergencies?

Pets being pets, certain conditions are diagnosed more frequently than others in emergency situations. Here are the most common diagnoses given to patients in veterinary ERs:

1. GDV

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (also known as “GDV” or bloat) is a serious pet emergency in which a dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. The telltale sign of GDV is a swollen or distended abdomen, which may be accompanied by other symptoms.

It’s a time-sensitive condition that is often remedied by surgery. An ER vet or veterinary surgeon will untwist the stomach and restructure the area to prevent GDV from happening again.

GDV is more common in larger, deep-chested dogs.

Other risk factors include older age, being related to dogs who have a history of GDV and eating a large meal once daily.

2. Trauma or injury

Trauma comes in many forms, and it’s one of the most common reasons why pets are brought to the ER.

Trauma-related injuries are a result of incidents like:

• Hit-by-car or vehicular trauma
• Falls
• Animal attacks
• Accidents

Emergency-level injuries that happen as a result of trauma include:

• Broken bones
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
• Burns
• Joint issues like dislocation or sprain
• Head injuries

In some cases, the trauma is obvious and simple to diagnose. At other times, pets may appear fine after trauma but actually have a serious internal injury, like bleeding or a fracture.

Because there could be more going on under the surface, it’s critical that pets who have experienced trauma are examined by a vet as soon as possible.

Depending on what happened, your ER vet may order tests like:

• X-rays
• Advanced diagnostic imaging like CT or MRI
• Ultrasound
• Blood work (to assess internal organ function)

Depending on the severity of your pet’s trauma, treatment options range from simple wound care to life-saving surgery.

3. Heatstroke

Heatstroke happens when your pet’s body temperature increases (or becomes hyperthermic) as a result of environmental heat. It’s an incredibly dangerous emergency that can quickly lead to life-threatening consequences.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Rapid breathing
• Appearing dizzy or disoriented
• Red or abnormally colored gums

Heatstroke is often caused by exposure to a hot climate without access to shade, water or proper ventilation. It’s time-sensitive, so if you suspect your pet has heatstroke, the best thing you can do is remove them from the hot environment and quickly and safely transport them to the ER.

Climate control and ventilation are important for pets experiencing heat stroke when seconds count, so use your car's air conditioning to cool down your car and roll down the windows to promote airflow.

Certain dog breeds are more prone to heatstroke, including flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers and boxers. Other risk factors include older age, obesity, thick or long coat and existing neurological or breathing issues.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of your pet’s heatstroke, though it often involves measures to safely decrease your pet’s temperature like:

• Running cool water over their head and feet and using a fan to help with heat evaporation
• Intravenous (IV) fluids to keep them hydrated from the inside
• Supplemental oxygen to ensure their lungs are clear
• Medication to address other symptoms
• Ongoing monitoring in case of any changes

4. Foreign body obstruction

Pets (particularly dogs) are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, this temptation can result in foreign body obstruction, which occurs when a non-digestible item blocks your pet’s digestive tract.

Signs of foreign body obstruction include:

• Severe or unproductive vomiting or diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy

If your pet is showing these symptoms or you think they swallowed an object, take them to the ER vet. If they suspect a foreign body, they’ll likely recommend tests to rule out any other conditions or complications.

Foreign body obstruction is often treated with endoscopy or exploratory surgery to find and remove the object.

ER vets find all sorts of objects in foreign body cases, including:

• Sticks
• Rocks
• Toys
• Food wrappers
• Clothes like underwear or socks

The bottom line: if your pet ate something they can’t digest, contact your nearest ER vet.

5. Poisoning or ingestion of toxic substance

Pets who accidentally ingest poisons or toxic substances are also commonly seen in the ER. In fact, there are more than 401,5000 cases of pet poisoning in the U.S. each year.

There are many substances that are toxic and harmful to pets, including:

• Human medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen
• Pest control products like rat poison or insecticide
• Lawn care products like fertilizer
• Antifreeze
• Cleaning products
• Alcohol
• Marijuana products
• Plants, including lilies (which are toxic to cats) and Sago palms

There are also several foods that are toxic for dogs, like:

• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes and raisins
• Avocados
• Xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gum and candies

Symptoms of poisoning in pets are wide-ranging depending on the type of substance and quantity consumed.

Look for signs like:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures or tremors
• Foaming at the mouth or drooling
• Pale gums
• Collapse

If you suspect your pet ate something toxic, go to the ER right away. Call ahead and let them know you’re coming.

Also, be prepared to answer questions like:

• What did your pet ingest?
• When did they consume it?
• How much did they consume?
• Do you have any more information about the product? (Like the ingredients in a chocolate bar or the label of a bottle of rat poison.)

Treatment for poisoning involves stabilizing your pet and helping them clear their body of the harmful substance.

6. Urinary infection or blockage

Urinary concerns in pets are often emergencies as they can quickly become critical.

The two common urinary conditions in the vet ER include:

• Urinary blockage: Also known as urinary obstruction, this occurs when there’s a blockage in your pet’s urinary tract, preventing them from urinating normally.
• Urinary infection: Also known as a UTI, a urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria infect the urethra and bladder.

Signs that your pet is experiencing bladder issues include:

• Inability to urinate
• Straining to urinate
• Blood in urine
• Painful urination (which can sound like crying, howling or screaming while attempting to urinate)
• Unusual litter box habits in cats (like frequent trips or less urine than usual)

If left untreated, urinary complications can become fatal, which is why it’s important to take your pet to the ER right away. Urinary issues are most common in male cats.

Your pet’s ER vet may want to perform tests like a physical exam, urinalysis or diagnostic imaging to make a specific diagnosis.

Treatment options typically include removing a blockage (which is done using a catheter while your pet is sedated) or medications like antibiotics or IV fluids.

7. Dehydration

Dehydration can happen quickly and is an emergency situation. Frequent causes include heatstroke, illness, limited access to water, or severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Signs of dehydration in pets include:

• Pale gums that feel dry and sticky
• Thick or pasty saliva
• Excessive panting
• Dry nose
• Sunken eyes
• Collapse
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of elasticity in their skin

If you think your pet is dehydrated, call an emergency vet for guidance. Often, the solution isn’t as simple as giving your pet water, and what seems like the obvious solution may actually cause more harm, so it’s important to consult with a professional right away.

Treatment options for dehydration include IV fluids, medications, monitoring and more.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the respiratory system, which can occur for several reasons, including infections and low immunity.

Signs of pneumonia in pets include:

• Difficulty breathing, like wheezing or coughing
• Increased panting
• Lethargy
• Vomiting or regurgitation
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite

Because pneumonia impacts your pet’s ability to breathe properly, it is a serious condition that needs prompt medical attention.

Your pet’s ER vet will likely perform a physical exam and listen to your pet’s breathing. They may also recommend tests like lab work or imaging.

Depending on the type and severity of pneumonia, treatment options may include antibiotics, breathing support, oxygen therapy and medications to manage your pet’s symptoms. In some cases, your pet may be transferred to a veterinary critical care team for further support.

9. Allergic reactions

Similar to humans, pets can be allergic to certain triggers, causing reactions ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening.

Emergency-level allergic reactions include symptoms like:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives or severe skin reaction (swelling or reddening)
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Hyperventilation
• Watery eyes

There are several potential allergy triggers for pets, including:

• Insect bites or stings
• Medications
• Certain plants
• Environmental pollutants
• Food proteins

Your pet will need to be assessed to know more about the potential allergy trigger. The vet may order lab work or an allergy test to learn more about your pet’s reaction.

Treatment options include antihistamines, corticosteroids, IV fluids, oxygen, topical medications and monitoring.

10. Digestive complications

One of the most common symptoms that prompts a veterinary ER visit is severe digestive distress.

This can look like:

• Several episodes of vomiting or diarrhea in 24 hours
• Blood in vomit or diarrhea
• Repeated dry heaving or attempted vomiting without anything coming up

There are many potential diagnoses linked to these symptoms, including:

• Bacterial or viral infection
• Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the digestive tract)
• Cancer
• Organ disease or failure
• Reactions to medications
• Ingestion of a toxic substance or foreign body
• Change in diet (in case of food allergy)
• Intestinal blockages

Your pet will likely need blood work or imaging to understand what’s upsetting their gastrointestinal system.

Treatment options for digestive complications depend on the diagnosis, and they can range from simple rest and monitoring to life-saving surgeries or intensive therapies.

Other emergencies

In addition to saving lives, it’s an emergency vet’s job to be prepared for the unexpected.  Pet ERs see it all – and it’s not unusual for rare and complex cases to come through the door. For avian and exotic pet owners, it's also important to check if your emergency veterinary hospital is able to treat your pet.

ER vets have the training and knowledge to diagnose all types of emergencies, whether they make that diagnosis 10 times a day or just once in their careers.

How do emergency vets make a diagnosis?

Answering the question “What’s wrong with my pet?” involves a diagnostic process guided by your pet’s emergency vet.

Getting a diagnosis is like solving a puzzle. Your pet’s vet will gather all of the facts and information and determine the underlying condition behind their symptoms.

The steps involved in achieving a diagnosis generally include:

• Questions: They’ll ask what brought you to the emergency hospital as well as your pet’s medical history.
• Exam: A hands-on assessment will help your pet’s emergency vet examine their condition and check for signs of certain illnesses and injuries.
• Lab work: Your pet’s blood and urine can reveal a lot of information, including how their internal organs are functioning and whether or not they’re fighting an infection.
• Imaging: Many pet hospitals are equipped with imaging like x-rays or advanced diagnostics like ultrasound, MRI and CT scans to get a detailed view inside your pet’s body.
• Surgical scoping: In some cases, surgical scoping like endoscopy can help make a diagnosis by examining your pet’s digestive tract.