Common emergencies
12 Emergencies We See Most Often.
Difficulty Breathing or Respiratory Distress
What it looks likeLabored or rapid breathing, wheezing, gagging, or open-mouth breathing in cats. Pale, blue, or gray gums. Stretching the neck out to breathe.
What to doDo not delay. Respiratory distress can escalate within minutes. Keep your pet calm and as still as possible while you bring them in. Avoid restraining them in a way that limits their breathing further. Call (954) 772-0420 on your way.
Severe Bleeding or Trauma
What it looks likeActive bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes of gentle pressure, deep wounds, or signs of internal injury after being hit by a vehicle, falling from height, or a fight with another animal.
What to doApply gentle pressure to bleeding wounds with a clean cloth. Do not use a tourniquet unless trained. Bring your pet in immediately. Internal injuries are not always visible from the outside.
Suspected Poisoning or Toxin Ingestion
What it looks likeDrooling, vomiting, tremors, weakness, or behavioral changes after exposure to a known or suspected toxin. Common toxins include chocolate, xylitol (artificial sweetener), grapes and raisins, lilies (especially for cats), human medications, antifreeze, rodent bait, and many household plants.
What to doDo not wait for symptoms to appear if you know your pet ingested something dangerous. Bring the packaging or a sample of what was eaten if you can. Call us before inducing vomiting. Some toxins make vomiting more dangerous than helpful.
Cane Toad (Bufo Toad) Exposure
What it looks likeHeavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, red gums, disorientation, vomiting, or seizures after your pet has had contact with a toad. Cane toads are common in South Florida and their toxin can be fatal.
What to doRinse your pet's mouth with running water immediately, wiping outward and downward (not toward the throat) for several minutes. This is critical. Then come in. Do not delay.
Heatstroke
What it looks likeHeavy panting, drooling, weakness, collapse, vomiting, or seizures after time outdoors, in a hot car, or during exercise in heat. South Florida heat is dangerous year-round.
What to doMove your pet to a cool area. Apply cool (not cold) wet towels to their belly, paws, and ears. Do not submerge them in ice water, which can shock the system. Bring them in immediately.
Vomiting or Diarrhea That Will Not Stop
What it looks likeRepeated vomiting (more than two or three times within a few hours), vomit with blood, severe diarrhea, or an inability to keep water down.
What to doDo not offer food. Small sips of water may be okay if your pet can keep them down. Note when symptoms started, what you have observed, and bring that information with you.
Distended Abdomen and Unproductive Retching (GDV / Bloat)
What it looks likeA bloated, hard belly, especially in large or deep-chested dogs (Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, and similar breeds), paired with attempts to vomit that produce nothing.
What to doThis is one of the most time-critical emergencies in veterinary medicine. Do not wait. Come in immediately. Surgery may be needed.
Seizures
What it looks likeLoss of consciousness, paddling limbs, drooling, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rigid muscle tension. A first-time seizure, multiple seizures, or a seizure lasting more than two to three minutes is an emergency.
What to doDo not put your hands near your pet's mouth. Move objects away that could injure them. Time the seizure if you can. After the seizure stops, bring your pet in.
Inability to Urinate
What it looks likeStraining to urinate with little or nothing coming out, especially in male cats. Crying or vocalizing while attempting to urinate. Restlessness or licking the genital area.
What to doThis is an absolute emergency in male cats. A urinary blockage can be fatal within hours. Bring your pet in immediately. Do not wait to see if they will urinate on their own.
Eye Injuries or Sudden Vision Loss
What it looks likeA swollen, red, or discharging eye. A pet holding one eye shut or pawing at the eye. Visible damage to the eye. Sudden bumping into things or apparent disorientation.
What to doDo not try to flush the eye yourself unless you know what you are doing. Place a clean cloth loosely over the eye if your pet will tolerate it. Bring them in. Eye emergencies can progress to permanent damage quickly.
Bite Wounds
What it looks likeVisible bites from another dog, cat fight wounds, or wildlife encounters. Bite wounds can look small on the surface while concealing significant tissue damage and infection risk.
What to doDo not assume a small puncture is no big deal. Bite wounds need professional cleaning and often antibiotics. Keep your pet calm and bring them in.
Labor Complications
What it looks likeActive labor that is not producing puppies or kittens after an hour or more, signs of distress in the mother, or unusual discharge.
What to doBring her in. Some labors progress slowly, but the line between slow and dangerous is hard to know without a professional exam.
Still not sure? Call us at (954) 772-0420 or book a $75 telehealth consultation. If telehealth leads to an in-person visit, your $75 is credited toward that visit.
