Symptoms That Need Immediate Care
Difficulty breathing
Open-mouth breathing, loud breathing, or bluish gums
Seizures or collapse
A first seizure, repeated seizures, or one lasting more than 2–3 minutes
Poison or foreign object ingestion
Chocolate, grapes, xylitol, onions, human medication, or chemicals
Bloated abdomen with unproductive retching
Signs of GDV (stomach twisting), common in large dogs — life-threatening
Unable to urinate
Straining without producing urine, especially male cats — urgent emergency
Accident, fall, or bite wounds
Internal bleeding can occur even if your pet looks fine outside
Heatstroke
Heavy panting, excessive drooling, weakness, or collapse after heat exposure
Pale or gray gums
A sign of shock or internal bleeding — needs immediate examination
This list is a general guide. When in doubt, call us — we are here 24 hours a day.
What to Do
- 1
Call the nearest branch immediately. Describe the symptoms and when they started so our team can prepare before you arrive.
- 2
Move your pet carefully on a blanket. Injured animals may bite, even if they are normally gentle.
- 3
If poison was ingested, bring the packaging or a photo of what was eaten. Do not induce vomiting before consulting a veterinarian.