As devoted pet parents, you strive to keep your companion happy and healthy. But when an unexpected situation arises, you might not know whether it’s really an emergency or whether it can wait for a regular vet appointment. Knowing the difference between emergency and urgent care can have a big effect on your pet’s health, your peace of mind, and your finances.

This guide from our Bayview Animal Hospital team will help you understand what to look for so you can get the right care at the right time for your pet. 

Emergency care for pets — Concerns that need immediate attention

Emergency care is necessary when immediate medical intervention is needed to keep your pet alive or prevent them from suffering long-term damage. These situations demand immediate action, so don’t hesitate to seek help if you notice any of the following:

  • Respiratory distress — If your pet is struggling to breathe, gasping for air, or displaying open-mouth breathing, these are clear signs of respiratory distress.  
  • Sudden collapse or unconsciousness — If your pet faints, becomes unresponsive, or loses the ability to stand or rise, it’s a critical situation. 
  • Severe bleeding — Uncontrolled bleeding, bright red blood, or blood pooling are all signs of a serious problem. Place pressure on the area and seek immediate veterinary care.
  • Seizures or tremors — Seizures are characterized by uncontrolled shaking, twitching, or muscle rigidity with or without loss of consciousness.
  • Blood in vomit or diarrhea — Visible blood in vomit or stools, or dark tarry stools indicating internal bleeding can be signs of toxicity, infection, foreign body ingestion, or a blockage in the stomach or intestine.
  • Hit by car or other trauma — Traumatic injuries from accidents, falls, or attacks typically are visible, but not always. Seek immediate care for your pet, especially since fractures, head injuries, and internal injuries are common in these situations.
  • Poisoning or toxin ingestion — Toxic plants, chemicals, and foods can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, neurological problems, and organ failure. 
  • Extreme pain or distress — Pets show pain in many different ways—whining, howling, crying excessively, pacing, hiding, or acting aggressively are all signs of a serious issue. 
  • Urinary tract issues — Difficulty urinating, straining, blood in urine, or pain during urination are signs of potential urinary tract issues that require prompt attention. Inability to urinate or difficulty urinating in male cats is especially dangerous and could be the result of a life-threatening urethral blockage.

Time is of the essence in these situations. Every minute lost could mean the difference between life and death for your pet.

Urgent care for pets — Addressing concerns without an emergency visit

General practice animal hospitals and clinics offer a valuable alternative for situations that require prompt attention but are not considered life-threatening. Common reasons to seek urgent care include:

  • Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea — Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours, especially coupled with dehydration concerns, isn’t an emergency unless blood is present or your pet shows signs of a distended abdomen.
  • Loss of appetite or lethargy — Lack of interest in food or water for more than 24 hours or unusual drowsiness are signs you should call your veterinarian.
  • Fever — Elevated body temperatures that exceed the normal range can indicate potential infection.
  • Skin allergies or irritation — Excessive itching, scratching, redness, hot spots, or the potential for secondary infections warrant urgent care to alleviate your pet’s discomfort and prevent complications.
  • Coughing or sneezing — Persistent coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or discharge from the nose or eyes require urgent care to rule out underlying respiratory problems.
  • Eye discharge or squinting — Redness, irritation, swelling around the eye, or a potential foreign object lodged in the eye are all situations that need urgent care to prevent further damage.
  • Mild lameness or limping — Sudden or gradual lameness, pain when walking, or limping on one or more legs could indicate an injury requiring prompt evaluation.

While you may not need to make a midnight trip to the emergency clinic, conditions such as these still require prompt attention to ease your pet’s discomfort and prevent any complications from arising. 

Here are a few additional tips to help you determine whether you should visit the emergency clinic or wait to see your regular vet with an urgent care appointment:

  • Observe your pet closely — Watch for changes in behavior, activity level, breathing, appetite, and elimination habits.
  • Assess the severity of the signs — Are they mild and manageable, or are they causing your pet significant distress or discomfort? Don’t hesitate to seek help if your pet seems unusually bothered by their symptoms.
  • Consider the duration of the signs — Have they been present for a few hours or a few days? A sudden onset means a trip to the emergency vet is in order; otherwise, an urgent care appointment is indicated. Always treat changes in respiration as an emergency.
  • Trust your instincts — If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it. You know your pet best, and your intuition can be a valuable guide in determining the severity of their situation.

Unsure whether your pet’s situation requires emergency or urgent care? Don’t hesitate to call Bayview Animal Hospital. Our dedicated staff can answer your questions and offer guidance about what type of care your pet needs.