Pet health guide
Emergency signs
If you see a potentially life-threatening sign, do not wait to read the guide. Contact a veterinary clinic now.
Contact a veterinary clinicUrethral obstruction in cats
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to urinate, especially in a male cat, may mean the urethra is blocked. Without prompt care, the condition can become life-threatening, so going to a veterinary clinic should not be delayed.
EmergencyRabies and possible exposure
If a suspect, unknown or wild animal bites or scratches a person or pet, or saliva reaches broken skin, the eyes, mouth or nose, do not wait for symptoms. Wash the wound immediately and contact the appropriate medical and veterinary services.
EmergencyHeatstroke
Heavy panting, drooling, confusion, loss of coordination or collapse in a hot environment may indicate heatstroke. It can rapidly damage organs and become fatal, so begin safe cooling and travel to a veterinary clinic immediately.
EmergencySuspected poisoning
If a pet may have swallowed, inhaled or contacted a toxic substance, do not wait for signs. Some toxins can rapidly and silently injure the nervous system, heart, liver or kidneys, and delay may become life-threatening.
EmergencySeizure
During a seizure a pet may fall, stiffen, paddle the limbs or lose awareness. A seizure lasting five minutes or repeated seizures without full recovery between them are life-threatening emergencies.
EmergencyDifficulty breathing
Effortful, noisy or open-mouth breathing, an extended neck, inability to lie down, or blue-grey gums may signal inadequate oxygen. Respiratory distress can worsen within hours or faster and become life-threatening.
EmergencyGastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
Unproductive retching, a rapidly enlarging or painful abdomen, drooling and restlessness in a dog may indicate gastric dilatation-volvulus. GDV rapidly compromises circulation and breathing and is life-threatening without immediate treatment.
EmergencyPyometra
Lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, marked thirst, abdominal enlargement or vaginal discharge in an unspayed female dog or cat may indicate pyometra. Infection can rapidly progress to sepsis and shock and become life-threatening.
EmergencyEye injury or sudden eye pain
Squinting, rubbing, sudden redness, cloudiness, heavy tearing or visible damage signals eye pain and needs same-day assessment. Trauma, a bulging eye, an embedded object or sudden vision change is an emergency.
EmergencyTrauma and bleeding
After a major impact, fall, road accident, bite or uncontrolled bleeding, apparently minor external injury can conceal internal bleeding or organ damage. Deterioration to shock can be rapid and life-threatening.
EmergencyAcute allergic reaction
Rapid facial or lip swelling accompanied by vomiting, breathing difficulty, profound weakness or collapse may indicate anaphylaxis. A severe reaction can develop within minutes, compromise breathing or circulation, and become life-threatening.
EmergencyHeart failure warning signs
Rapid or effortful breathing at rest, inability to lie down, blue-grey gums, profound weakness or collapse may signal acute worsening of heart failure. Oxygen deprivation can quickly become life-threatening.
EmergencyCanine parvovirus
Lethargy, poor appetite, repeated vomiting and severe, sometimes bloody diarrhea in a puppy or unvaccinated dog may indicate parvovirus. Disease often progresses quickly to dehydration, sepsis and shock and is life-threatening without treatment.
EmergencyFeline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus)
Marked lethargy, refusal of food or water, vomiting or diarrhea in a kitten or unvaccinated cat may indicate panleukopenia. Disease can worsen within hours and become life-threatening without prompt care.
Emergency