Is It an Emergency? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

It’s 2am. Your dog has just polished off half a box of chocolates, and the internet is giving you 47 different answers. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you’re not overreacting by worrying.

This guide will help you recognise the signs that mean your pet needs help straight away, and what to do while you get it. But the most important rule is the simplest one: if you’re worried, call us. We’re open 24 hours a day, every day, and we’d always rather hear from you than have you sit at home wondering.

Worried right now? Call 01843 808344

Please read this first

This guide cannot tell you that your pet is safe, and it isn’t a complete list of emergencies. Only a vet who examines your pet can assess how serious a problem is. If you’re unsure, or something just doesn’t seem right, phone us on 01843 808344 straight away. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.

The 30-second version

1. If you’re worried about your pet, call us on 01843 808344. We’re open 24/7, and no question is too small.
2. If your pet may have eaten something toxic, call straight away, even if they seem fine. Don’t try to make them sick.
3. For heatstroke, remember: cool first, transport second.
4. Call ahead before you set off, so we can be ready for you.
5. Save our number in your phone today, so you’re not searching for it in a panic.

Call us immediately if your pet:

• Is struggling to breathe, is breathing noisily, or has blue, grey or very pale gums
• Has collapsed, cannot stand, or is unusually unresponsive or weak
• Is having a seizure (fit), or has had one, even if they now seem back to normal
• Has been hit by a car or had a fall, even if they seem fine; internal injuries aren’t always visible
• Is bleeding heavily, or has bleeding that won’t stop
• Has eaten, or may have eaten, something poisonous (see below)
• Is a dog with a swollen, tight tummy who is retching or trying to vomit without bringing anything up. This can be a sign of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), which can become life-threatening within hours. It’s more common in large, deep-chested breeds, but can affect any dog
• Is a cat (especially a male cat) straining to wee, going in and out of the litter tray, crying when trying to wee, or passing little or no urine. A blocked bladder can become life-threatening quickly and is often mistaken for constipation
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if there’s blood, or if your pet is very young, elderly or small
• Seems to be in severe pain: crying out, hunched, restless, unable to settle, or not letting you touch part of their body
• Shows signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, wobbliness or collapse
• Has an eye injury, or an eye that is suddenly cloudy, bulging, or being held shut
• Has swelling of the face, mouth or throat, for example after a sting or bite
• Has been bitten by a snake (in the UK, the adder)
• Is choking, gagging repeatedly or pawing frantically at their mouth
• Has a burn, or may have had an electric shock (for example from chewing a cable)
• Seems to be having difficulty giving birth
• Is a rabbit that has stopped eating or stopped producing droppings
• Is a bird found fluffed up on the cage floor, or breathing with an obvious bobbing of the tail

This list isn’t complete. If your pet has a problem that isn’t listed here and you’re concerned, call us.

Did you know? Why male cats are at higher risk Male cats have a longer, narrower urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) than female cats, which makes it easier for it to become blocked. That’s why a male cat straining in the litter tray should always be treated as an emergency.

Vet advice Not sure how urgent it is? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Call us and our team will help you decide how quickly your pet needs to be seen.

Poisoning: act fast, don’t wait

Many poisons take hours, or even days, to show their effects, and treatment works best when it’s started early. A pet who looks completely normal straight after eating something toxic can still become seriously unwell later. So please don’t ‘wait and see’.

Common causes of poisoning in pets include:

• Chocolate, especially dark chocolate and cocoa powder
• Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants, including in cakes, mince pies and hot cross buns
• Xylitol (also called birch sugar), found in some sugar-free gum, sweets, peanut butters and baked goods
• Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, whether raw, cooked or powdered
• Human medicines, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Paracetamol is extremely dangerous to cats
• Lilies, for cats. Every part of the plant is toxic, including the pollen and the water in the vase
• Antifreeze, rat and mouse poisons, and slug and snail pellets
• Dog flea treatments used on cats (see our Prevention guide)
• Recreational drugs. Please be honest with us; we’re here to help your pet, not to judge

What to do

1. Call us straight away, even if your pet seems fine.
2. Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
3. Bring the packaging, label or a sample of the plant with you.
4. Don’t try to make your pet sick unless a vet specifically tells you to. Salt water and other home remedies can be very dangerous.
5. Don’t give any food, drink or medicine unless a vet tells you to.

Vet advice Suspected poisoning always needs professional veterinary advice. Call us immediately on 01843 808344.

What we may ask when you call

When you ring us in a hurry, it helps to have a few answers ready. Don’t worry if you don’t know them all; just tell us what you can.

• What has happened, and when did it start?
• Your pet’s species, breed, age and roughly how much they weigh
• If they’ve eaten something: what it was, roughly how much, and when
• Any medical conditions they have and any medicines they take
• How they are right now: breathing, alertness, gum colour, any vomiting or bleeding

Our team will then advise you on what to do next and how quickly to come in.

While you’re getting help

• Call ahead. Even though we’re open 24/7, a quick call lets our team prepare for your arrival and give you advice for the journey.
• Stay as calm as you can. Pets pick up on our stress, and a calm voice helps.
• Handle with care. A pet who is frightened or in pain may bite or scratch, even if they’ve never done so before. Keep your face away from theirs.
• Keep them still and comfortable. Put cats and small pets in a secure carrier. If a larger dog can’t walk, a blanket can be used as a stretcher with help from another person.
• For bleeding, press gently but firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or pad. If something is stuck in a wound, don’t pull it out.
• Never give human painkillers. Many are toxic to pets, even in small amounts.
• Bring any medicines your pet is currently taking.

Heatstroke: cool first, transport second

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency, and every minute counts. Current UK veterinary guidance, promoted by the Royal Veterinary College, is to cool first, transport second, which means starting to cool your dog straight away, before and during the journey to the vet.

1. Move your dog into the shade or a cool area.
2. Pour or spray water over them. Any water that’s cooler than your dog will help; the old advice to use only lukewarm water is now outdated.
3. Use a fan, air conditioning or a breeze to help the water evaporate.
4. Don’t leave wet towels lying on your dog, as these can trap heat.
5. Call us while you’re cooling them, then bring them in, keeping the car cool with air conditioning or open windows.

Did you know? Dogs can’t sweat it out like we do Dogs only sweat a small amount, through their paw pads. They rely mainly on panting to cool down, which is far less efficient than sweating. That’s one reason heatstroke can develop so quickly, especially in flat-faced breeds.

Vet advice Even if your pet seems to recover once cooled, heatstroke can cause serious internal damage. Always seek professional veterinary advice straight away.

If your pet has a seizure

Watching a seizure is frightening, but there are a few simple things that help.

• Stay calm and keep your hands away from their mouth. Pets cannot swallow their tongue
• Move furniture or objects they could hurt themselves on, and keep other pets away
• Dim the lights and reduce noise if you can
• Note the time the seizure starts and stops. If it’s safe to do so, a short video can really help the vet
• Call us as soon as you can

Vet advice Any seizure needs professional veterinary advice, even if your pet seems back to normal afterwards.

Know your pet’s ‘normal’

One of the best ways to spot a problem early is to know what’s normal for your pet when they’re well. Spend a few minutes getting familiar with:

• Gum colour. In most pets, healthy gums are a moist, salmon-pink colour. Some pets naturally have dark or patchy gums, so it’s worth knowing what yours look like
• Breathing at rest. Watch your pet breathing while they’re relaxed or asleep, so you’ll notice if it ever becomes faster, noisier or more effortful
• Energy, appetite and thirst. Small changes are often the first clue that something is wrong
• Toilet habits. Changes in how often, how much, or what it looks like are always worth noting

We’re happy to show you how to check your pet’s gums and breathing at their next appointment.

Be prepared before you need to be

• Save our number in your phone now: 01843 808344
• Know where we are: 107–109 High Street, Margate CT9 1JT
• Keep a pet carrier somewhere easy to reach
• Keep your pet’s insurance details and a list of any medicines handy
• Consider a basic pet first-aid kit: bandages, sterile saline, a tick remover, a clean towel and a blanket
• For emergencies, always phone us. Please don’t rely on email or social media messages when your pet needs urgent help

Emergency-ready checklist

• ☐ Practice number saved in my phone
• ☐ Pet carrier easy to reach
• ☐ Insurance and medicine details in one place
• ☐ Basic pet first-aid kit put together
• ☐ I know what my pet’s gums and breathing look like normally
• ☐ Everyone at home knows what to do