In a perfect world our companions would never get sick. Unfortunately, illness exists, and it’s up to us to know the difference between something mild and something serious.
Because our pets cannot talk, it’s essential we understand their body language and signs of serious medical conditions. We recommend talking to your vet if you’re ever unsure, but we’ve listed ten common signs of an emergency below.
1. Choking or Difficulty Breathing
Choking refers to severe difficulty breathing due to an obstructed airway, but any sign of respiratory distress is a cause for concern. This can also manifest as:
- Persistent coughing or gagging
- Open mouth breathing
- Gasping for air
- Odd noises while breathing
Because the body relies heavily on its access to oxygen, handling this issue as soon as possible is important. You may feel you’re overreacting, but these are serious causes for concern.
2. Trauma and/or Broken Bones
You should visit the vet any time your pet is involved in a serious traumatic event (like a car accident or fight), even if there are no immediate signs of injury. In many cases, these events cause internal damage that proves fatal by the time external symptoms appear.
Suspected broken bones or signs of ligament distress (such a limping) also merit a vet visit, even if you’re unsure of the cause or the severity of the issue. These usually do not get better in time, instead wearing on your pet’s body as more time goes on.
Any bite, regardless of how well you know the other animal, needs professional attention. Bites are likely to get infected, and it’s best to get ahead of the issue with antibiotics before things get worse.
3. Severe Allergic Reaction
Severe allergic reactions go beyond what a pet with seasonal allergies may experience. Instead of mild swelling and discomfort that develops gradually, symptoms of a severe reaction may manifest within minutes.
These include many other symptoms on this list, including:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Facial swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Collapse
Over the counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can ease symptoms, but it doesn’t take long for a severe allergic reaction to prove fatal. Getting to the vet ASAP is essential.
4. Suspicion or Known Consumption of Something Toxic
Understanding what plants and foods are toxic to your pet helps you keep their environment safe, but accidents occur. Like an allergic reaction, ingestion of a toxic substance can compromise your pet’s health rapidly, and a quick response is essential.
Symptoms usually include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea (particularly with blood present)
- Excessive drooling
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
- Pale gums
- Seizures (tremors)
- Collapse
While your vet is the best option, you can also contact animal poison control like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Hotline for a fee.
5. Unconsciousness
Sudden unconsciousness is a clear sign to visit the vet, but so are abnormalities surrounding this state. A pet that is suddenly sleeping longer than usual, especially without other reasons to do so (such as age or a known condition), may be seriously sick without showing other symptoms.
The same is true for a pet who cannot seem to fall asleep. This may be caused by an underlying problem that only a thorough professional exam can uncover.
6. Seizures
Unless your pet has a pre-existing condition like epilepsy, seizures should be treated as an emergency. Keep in mind that they manifest in different ways, including:
- Uncontrollable shaking or jerking
- Staggering
- Sudden tightness
- Intermittent paralysis
- Changes in awareness (dazed look, staring aimlessly, etc.)
- Changes in behavior (i.e. sudden aggression)
A seizure may signal an underlying condition or occur in response to external issues, like heat stroke or toxin ingestion. Establishing a baseline with your vet can limit recurrence and open the door to the correct treatment while minimizing the effects of the first one.
7. Eye Injuries
Because of the fragile construction of the eye, even a small injury can quickly develop into something more serious. A quick response is needed to limit the chances of permanent scarring and even blindness and the secondary issues that accompany them.
Some dog breeds are more susceptible to eye issues. For example, brachycephalic breeds like Shih Tzus are likely to develop cherry eye and may suffer permanent damage to their vision without the proper treatment.
Even if they have a bit of dust in their eye, your pet may not have the restraint to leave it alone and worsen the issue. Getting them to the vet quickly eases their stress and limits future issues.
8. Severe Bleeding
There are plenty of definitions of severe bleeding, and it’s best to err on the cautionary side. Any bleeding that doesn’t stop in five minutes needs immediate veterinary attention.
This is especially true for bleeding from the:
- Mouth
- Nose
- Rectum
Any animal coughing or sneezing up blood, or blood found in their urine or stool also deserve an immediate vet visit.
Bruising without any discernible cause may be a sign of internal bleeding, especially following a traumatic event; do not assume it will heal itself, and get to a vet as quickly as you can.
9. Refusal to Eat or Drink for 24 Hours
Loss of appetite isn’t necessarily an emergency, but a pet not eating or drinking for a prolonged period can escalate into a more serious issue. This usually signals to another, more serious condition, such as:
- Cancer
- Infection
- Kidney or liver issues
- Pain
- Anxiety
Dental issues can also cause a pet to refuse food or water. Dogs will usually try to eat or drink something, but cats can starve themselves to death without proper intervention.
10. Severe Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
Vomiting isn’t necessarily a “pack up and rush to the vet” issue, but persistent vomiting, blood, or vomiting with other symptoms merits a vet visit. This usually indicates a bigger issue than a mild stomach ache or motion sickness, and the more they throw up the worse it will get.
If you have a larger dog that is prone to bloat, such as a Great Dane, watch out for dry-heaving. These dogs will not be able to vomit, instead gagging, and immediate veterinary intervention can be the difference between life and death.
Likewise, some diarrhea can indicate mild gastrointestinal discomfort, but more serious cases (i.e. uncontrolled, watery bowels, blood in stool, diarrhea with vomiting) should be seen by a vet to limit the implications.
If you’re ever unsure of whether your pet’s condition is an emergency, contact your vet or the closest emergency animal hospital for guidance. When in doubt, it’s usually best to assume the worst and hope for the best. It may cost you more in the long run, but it can quite literally save a life.
