IS THIS AN EMERGENCY??

Difficulty Breathing

Clinical signs may include:

• Open mouth breathing (especially in cats)
• Rapid or laboured breathing
• Excessive chest or abdominal movement when breathing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Blue, pale or grey gums/tongue
• Anxiety, restlessness or inability to lie down comfortably 

Choking

Clinical signs may include:

• Pawing at the mouth
• Gagging or retching
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing
• Panic or distress

Collapse or Loss of Consciousness

Clinical signs may include:

• Sudden inability ro stand
• Unresponsiveness
• Weak pulse
• Pale gums

Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet has:

• Been hit by a vehicle 
• Fallen from a significant height
• Been attacked or bitten by another animal
• Deep cuts or wounds
• Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
• Suspected broken bones or fractures
• Penetrating wounds (sticks, metal objects, etc.)

It is an emergency if your pet has ingested:

• Humna medications
• Chocolate
• Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters)
• Grapes or raisins
• Onions or garlic
• Alcohol
• Cannabis products
• Rodenticides (rat poison)
• Antifreeze
• Household cleaners
• Toxic plants (lily etc.)
• Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides

Clinical signs may include:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Tremors or seizures
• Difficulty walking/ataxia
• Weakness or collapse
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale gums
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Unusual behaviour or disorientation

Even if your pet appears normal after ingesting a toxin, veterinary evaluation is recommended immediately.  

Repeated Vomiting

Occasional vomiting may not be an emergency, but repeated vomiting can quickly turn to dehydration and may indicate a serious underlying illness.

Clinical signs may include:

• Vomiting multiple times
• Unable to keep water down 
• Blood in vomit
• Weakness
• Refusal to eat

Persistant Diarrhea

Clinical signs may include:

• Frequent watery diarrhea
• Blood or mucous in stool
• Straining to defecate
• Lethargy
• Vomiting in addition to the diarrhea

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)

This is a life-threatening emergency. Especially in large breed dogs.

Clinical signs may include:

• Enlarged or tight abdomen
• Repeated attempts to visit with nothing produced
• Excessive drooling
• Restlessness
• Pacing
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

Foreign Body Ingestion

Examples include:

• Toys
• Socks
• Corn cobs
• Bones
• String
• Rocks

Clinical signs may include:

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Straining to defecate
• No bowel movements

Urinary Obstruction

This is especially common in male cats and is life - threatening.

Clinical signs may include:

• Frequent trips to the litter box or outside
• Straining without producing urine
• Crying while trying to urinate
• Constant licking the genital area
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Collapse

Seizures

Emergency evaluation is recommended it: 

• A seizure lasts more than 3-5 minutes
• Multiple seizures occur with in 24 hours
• Your pet does not recover normally between seizures

Other Neurological Emergencies 

Seek immediate care for: 

• Sudden paralysis
• Head trauma
• Loss of balance
• Circling
• Sudden blindness
• Severe confusion or disorientation
• Head pressing
• Uncontrolled tremors
• Nystagmus 

Eye injuries should NEVER wait.

Seek veterinary care if you notice:

• Squinting or closing the eye
• Pawing at the eye
• Cloudiness
• Blood in or around the eye
• Bulging eye
• Sudden vision loss
• Green, yellow, or excessive discharge
• Chemical exposure

Seek immediate veterinary care if:

• Labour continues for more than 30 minutes with no puppy or kitten produced
• More than 2 hours pass between babies with continued straining
• Green discharge appears before the first baby is born
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• A puppy or kitten becomes stuck
• A prolapsed uterus is visible 
• Forceful separation of 2 dogs tied
• Prolonged tie (longer than an hour)
• Severe distress or aggression when tied
• Excessive bleeding from either dogs genitals

Heatstroke

Clinical signs may include:

• Excessive panting
• Bright red gums
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Seizures

Hypothermia

• Clinical signs may include:
• Shivering
• Weakness
• Cold ears and paws
• Lethargy 
• Slow breathing
• Collapse

Burns

Burns from heat, electricity, or chemicals should always be assessed by a veterinarian.

Seek immediate care if your pet experiences:

• Sudden inability to walk
• Severe pain
• Dragging one or more limbs
• Suspected spinal injury
• Crying out continuously
• Limb hanging abnormally

Severe Dehydration

Clinical signs may include:

• Dry or tacky gums
• Sunken eyes
• Extreme lethargy
• Skin that remains tented when gently lifted
• Refusal to drink

Excessive Bleeding

Any bleeding that does nots stop after several minutes of firm pressure requires immediate veterinary attention.

Smoke Inhalation

Clinical signs may include:

• Coughing
• Soot around the nose or mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness
• Bright red or pale gums

Near Drowning

Even if you pet appears normal after being rescues from the water, complications can develop several hours later. Immediate veterinary evaluation is recommended.

Allergic Reactions

Clinical signs may include:

• Facial swelling
• Swollen muzzle
• Hives
• Itchy/Scratching constantly
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

Not every emergency is obvious. If your pet is showing unusual behaviour, appears painful, is suddenly weak, or simply “isn’t acting themselves,” don’t wait. Contact our clinic right away. Our veterinary team can help determine whether your pet should be seen immediately. 

Please do not give your pet human medications unless instructed vy a veterinarian. Many common over-the-counter and prescription medications are toxic to dogs and cats.

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency outside of out regular business hours, please contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Please see the under tab “Emergencies”.