Your Complete Guide to Navigating Pet Emergencies

 

What are the most common pet emergencies?

Every day, animals of all shapes, sizes and medical needs come through the doors of BluePearl ERs across the country. Some of the most common pet emergencies we see include:

Trauma

Traumatic events – like being hit by a car, attacked by another animal or suffering from a fall – are all veterinary emergencies. In many cases, the injuries are evident, like lacerations, broken bones or bite marks. In other cases, however, there may be hidden injuries that aren’t as obvious, like ruptured organs or deeper complications from what appear to be surface wounds. That’s why it’s important to have your pet promptly assessed by a veterinarian after they’ve experienced trauma.

Difficulty breathing

Breathing complications may look or sound like:

• Choking
• Raspy, rapid or shallow breathing
• Coughing
• Open-mouthed or unusual breathing
• Difficulty getting air

Several emergency conditions may cause breathing difficulties, including allergic reactions, asthma and heart or lung disease.

Convulsions or seizures

If your pet is having a seizure, they may shake uncontrollably, lose consciousness or become unable to control their bowel and urinary function. Depending on the context, there are several courses of action if your pet has a seizure:

• If it’s your pet’s first seizure, call your primary veterinarian for next steps, or your local emergency vet if it happens outside of your vet’s office hours. Do not try to hold their tongue or go near their mouth as they may accidentally bite you.
• If your pet has previously been diagnosed with epilepsy, follow your veterinarian’s orders and protocol.
• If your pet has multiple seizures or they last longer than a few minutes, regardless of history, seek emergency veterinary care.

Ingestion of poison or a toxic substance

If you suspect your pet has consumed something toxic or poisonous, it’s important to seek immediate care right away. If possible, document key details to share with your pet’s emergency vet, including:

• How much of the substance your pet consumed
• When your pet ingested the substance
• If it’s possible to obtain safely, an ingredients list of the substance (like snapping a picture of a chocolate bar wrapper or the ingredients list on a bottle of rat poison)

Many substances are toxic to pets, including chocolate, xylitol (an ingredient in sugar-free gum and candies), grapes and raisins in dogs, pest control products, lilies in cats and more. Here is a list of common household dangers for pets.

 

 

Urinary difficulties

Urinary issues – which could look like your pet straining, being unable to urinate or having blood in their urine – should be handled with urgency. These could lead to a complete urinary blockage (particularly in male cats), which can be life-threatening.

Persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea can occur for a number of reasons, with severity ranging from mild indigestion to a serious emergency. If you’re deciding whether or not to take your pet to the ER, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have there been several episodes of vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
• Is the vomiting or diarrhea severe (i.e., high in quantity or frequency)?
• Are other troubling symptoms present (like lethargy or abdominal pain)?
• Is there blood?
• Have they eaten anything that could cause harm?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, seek immediate emergency care.

Collapse and/or inability to walk

If your pet collapses or can’t stand up, they may be suffering from an urgent medical condition affecting their internal organs or experiencing some form of trauma like a broken bone or injured leg.

 

 

Swollen or distended abdomen

A swollen or distended abdomen is a telltale sign of gastric dilatation volvulus – otherwise known as GDV or bloat. This is a serious emergency in which a dog’s stomach can become twisted. Other symptoms associated with a swollen abdomen include:

• Attempted vomiting resulting in white froth
• Rapid heart rate or breathing
• Signs of pain (like refusal to lie down and general discomfort)

Uncontrolled bleeding

Bleeding can often escalate into a critical concern, especially if it’s severe and unable to be controlled with basic first aid. Keep in mind that sources of bleeding like cuts and lacerations can be deeper than they first appear – resulting in more serious issues underneath the surface and increasing the risk of infection.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke happens when a pet’s body temperature increases as a result of environmental heat. Signs of heatstroke include:

• Reddened or abnormal gum color
• Disorientation
• Elevated breathing rates

Heatstroke can develop quickly and become deadly within a matter of minutes, so take any signs of this condition very seriously.

All of these emergencies are time sensitive and often critical, so don’t wait to seek care. Take your pet to the closest emergency hospital as soon as possible.

Ultimately, you know your pet best, so if you have that “something isn’t right” or “this can’t wait” feeling, treat the situation with urgency.

 

 

What do I do in a pet emergency?

If your pet is facing a medical emergency, the best thing you can do is head to the emergency vet for care. Take a few precautions before you go:

• Get to a safe place. If your pet’s emergency is the result of a traumatic event, attack or bite, make sure both you and your pet can get to a safe place out of harm’s way.
• Stabilize your pet. Get your pet as comfortable as possible and apply basic first aid (like putting gauze and pressure on a bleeding wound) if needed.
• Stay calm. Pet emergencies are scary – and your pet is a beloved member of your family. Do your best to stay calm, in control and try not to panic.

Finally, don’t attempt to give your pet medications (especially human medications) at home unless otherwise instructed. This could complicate or interfere with your pet’s emergency care.

 

 

How do I find an emergency veterinarian near me?

If you don’t know where to find an emergency vet, consider these two methods of finding your closest location:

• Search online. A simple search of “emergency vets near me” or “24/7 vet hospital near me” can likely yield a list of results with easily accessible contact information and directions.
• Ask your primary veterinarian. Your pet’s primary veterinarian can provide recommendations for an emergency pet hospital in your area.

Check a hospital’s hours of operation and ensure they’re open before you bring your pet to their location. Fortunately, many vet hospitals are open 24/7 to treat emergencies at any hour of the day or night.

Also, if you have an avian or exotic pet (like birds, rabbits, hedgehogs or chinchillas), call the hospital ahead of time and ask if they treat your pet’s species.

Keep this information on hand in case you experience another pet emergency. Document the name, phone number and address in your phone, or make a note with this information in your wallet or on your fridge.

How do I prepare for my emergency vet visit?

Time is of the essence when it comes to emergencies, so the priority is swiftly and safely bringing your pet to the ER. If time allows, however, the following steps can help you be prepared:

1. Call the emergency vet. Let the hospital staff know you’re on the way and briefly describe the situation. They may ask follow-up questions or provide recommendations to help your pet before you arrive.
2. Bring your pet’s medical records and medications. If you have them readily available, grab a copy of your pet’s medical records or pull them up on your phone. Also, if your pet takes any medications other than monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives, bring them with you or take a picture of the labels to show your veterinarian.
3. Transport your pet safely. Be mindful of how you transport your pet to maximize comfort and safety. If you have a cat or small animal, secure them in a carrier. If you have a dog, lay down blankets and use a pet seatbelt if you have one. Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated and climate controlled so your pet can breathe easily. Remember – stay calm and drive safely!

Finally, once you arrive at the hospital, carefully bring your pet inside and let the staff know if you need assistance.

When should I take my pet to an emergency vet?

 

 

In the event of a pet emergency, it’s important to see a vet as soon as possible. Emergency pet hospitals accept walk-ins, but it’s helpful to call ahead and let them know you’re coming.

Before going to the hospital, take a moment to check a few key details like the hours of operation, location and how to get there.

Are emergency vets open 24/7?

Fortunately, many emergency veterinary hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year – meaning you can go at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Some emergency vets are only open during select times, like after-hours or weekend-only locations, which can help when critical situations happen and your pet’s primary veterinarian is closed.

What should I expect at my emergency vet visit?

Every pet emergency is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all appointment flow at an emergency vet. Most ER visits include:

Triage

Triage is the preliminary assessment of your pet’s condition to understand the immediate need and determine the level of urgency. This process usually involves a technician or veterinarian quickly taking your pet’s vital signs and performing a brief examination, as well as asking you questions about your pet.

Triage determines the medical priority of each case, so pets with extremely critical and timely emergencies can receive prompt care. Your wait time is a result of a few factors – including your pet’s triage status and how many other pets are currently awaiting and receiving care.

 

 

Exam

During your pet’s exam, a veterinarian will physically assess your pet’s condition, discuss possible next steps and cost of care with you and review your pet’s medical history. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and determine the course of action that’s right for your pet’s situation.

Diagnostics

Depending on your reason for visiting the ER, your pet’s emergency vet may recommend diagnostics to determine the cause or severity of your pet’s condition. Possible diagnostic tests include:

• Bloodwork
• Urinalysis
• Fecal testing
• X-ray
• Ultrasound

Many emergency veterinary hospitals are also equipped with more advanced diagnostic tools – like MRI, CT scan and medical scoping – if your pet requires more in-depth testing.

Treatment

Treatment options for veterinary emergencies are wide-ranging. They can be as simple as resting at home or as in-depth as life-saving surgery. Treatment protocols are specific to each pet’s needs. A few of the most common treatments in the ER include:

• Oral medications
• Intravenous (IV) fluids and therapies
• Oxygen therapy
• Wound management
• Fracture repair
• Surgery
• Urinary catheter placement

Your pet’s treatment may begin at the hospital, though it will likely be continued at home or under the care of your primary veterinarian.

In some cases, treatment involves ongoing monitoring in a critical care unit with overnight stays at the hospital.

 

 

Continued care and next steps

Once your pet is stable and no longer in an emergency-level situation, they will likely be discharged and sent home.

Your pet’s emergency veterinarian will recommend the next steps, which may include:

• Follow-up care with your primary vet. The ER team will send information about your pet’s emergency care to your primary veterinarian to promote collaborative care and update your pet’s medical record.
• Continued treatment at home. You’ll be given instructions to continue your pet’s care at home. This may include oral medications, rest, dietary or lifestyle adjustments and more.
• Referral to a specialist. If your pet has a chronic or complex condition, they may be referred to a specialist such as an oncologist, surgeon, cardiologist or internist.

 

 

How long do emergency vet visits take?

Your total time at the ER depends on several factors, including the hospital’s patient load, the severity of your pet’s case and the diagnostic and treatment options you choose. Regardless, there is usually some level of waiting involved, and visits can last a few hours.

How long does an emergency hospital keep your pet?

Depending on what you decide, it’s usually recommended that your pet remain in the hospital’s care until they’re in stable condition or they can be transferred to your primary veterinarian for continued care.

In many emergency cases, pets can return home the same day. However, some critical cases involve hospitalization for a few days, or, uncommonly, a couple of weeks.

How much does an emergency vet visit cost?

 

 

The costs of taking your pet to an emergency veterinarian range widely. During your pet’s exam, the emergency team will provide you with cost estimates for the different diagnostic, treatment and monitoring options. Here are a few factors that will determine the total cost:

• If your pet needs advanced diagnostics
• If your pet requires stabilization like IV or oxygen therapy
• If your pet is staying in the hospital/ICU for an extended time with active monitoring
• Your pet’s treatment options (e.g., surgery, medication)

Also, keep in mind that some emergencies may require continued care beyond your first ER visit, which may add to your total cost of care. For example, your pet may need follow-up appointments with your primary vet, care from a specialist, and medications or dietary changes at home.

Your emergency veterinary team understands that cost of care is one of many factors to consider when choosing the right course of action for your family. That's why you’ll likely be presented with several options and an itemized estimate during your pet’s emergency exam.

Why is the emergency vet more expensive?

You may be wondering, “Is the emergency vet more expensive than my primary vet?” The answer is usually yes, and here are a few reasons why:

Emergency facility

Similar to human medicine, the cost of operating an emergency hospital (especially a 24/7 facility) is comparatively higher than a primary medical clinic. Keep in mind you get what you pay for, and your emergency facility is likely equipped with state-of-the-art treatment areas and intensive care units specifically designed to deliver life-saving care for a wide range of emergencies.

Advanced equipment

In many cases, emergency vet hospitals feature advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities like MRI and CT machines, surgical suites, critical care therapies and more.

Emergency-trained veterinarians

Emergency veterinarians are highly trained in effectively treating virtually all types of medical emergencies, and they undergo years of training to work specifically in this type of role and environment.