How to Recognize Emergency Symptoms in Pets

Difficulty Breathing

Signs to watch for:

• Open-mouth breathing in cats (always abnormal)
• Excessive panting when not hot or exercising
• Blue or purple gums/tongue
• Extended neck, unable to lie down
• Noisy breathing, wheezing, or choking sounds

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet immediately

Pale Gums

Healthy gums should be pink (like bubble gum). White, pale, or gray gums indicate shock, blood loss, or poor circulation.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet immediately

Rapid or Weak Pulse

Normal resting heart rate: Dogs 60-140 bpm (varies by size), Cats 140-220 bpm

⚠️ Action: If very rapid, weak, or irregular - emergency vet

Seizures

Signs include:

• Uncontrollable shaking or muscle twitching
• Loss of consciousness
• Paddling legs, drooling, loss of bowel/bladder control
• Stiff or rigid body

⚠️ Action: If seizure lasts > 2 minutes or multiple seizures - emergency vet

Note: Single brief seizure (<2 min) - call vet same day

Disorientation or Head Tilt

Sudden confusion, circling, head pressed against wall, or severe head tilt may indicate stroke, toxin, or brain issue.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet within hours

Weakness or Collapse

Sudden inability to stand, rear leg weakness, or collapsing without quick recovery.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet immediately

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus)

Most common in large, deep-chested dogs. Signs:

• Severely distended, hard abdomen
• Unproductive vomiting/retching (trying to vomit but nothing comes up)
• Restlessness, pacing, unable to get comfortable
• Drooling, rapid breathing

⚠️ Action: LIFE-THREATENING - emergency vet immediately

Severe Vomiting or Diarrhea

Emergency if:

• Blood in vomit or stool (red or black/tarry)
• Vomiting/diarrhea for > 24 hours
• Combined with lethargy, weakness, or pale gums
• Projectile vomiting

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet same day

Straining to Urinate/Defecate

Repeated attempts with little or no output, especially in male cats (urinary blockage) - can be fatal within 24-48 hours.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet immediately

Common Toxins

• Chocolate, xylitol (sugar substitute), grapes/raisins, onions/garlic
• Human medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants)
• Rodent poison, antifreeze
• Toxic plants (lilies in cats, sago palm, oleander)
• Household cleaners, insecticides

⚠️ Action: Call Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or emergency vet immediately

Tip: Have product packaging ready with ingredient list

Use Our Toxicity Calculators

Signs of Severe Pain

• Vocalizing (crying, whimpering, growling when touched)
• Hunched posture, unwilling to move
• Rapid breathing, panting when at rest
• Aggression or hiding (behavior change)
• Reluctance to eat or drink

⚠️ Action: Same-day emergency vet visit

Trauma

Hit by car, fall, dog attack - even if pet seems okay, internal injuries may not be immediately visible.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet examination required

Bleeding

Apply direct pressure with clean cloth. If bleeding doesn't stop within 5 minutes or blood is spurting, this is an emergency.

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet immediately

Eye Injury or Sudden Blindness

• Sudden bulging or protruding eye
• Cloudy or blue eye that appeared overnight
• Squinting, excessive tearing, pawing at eye
• Visible injury, blood in eye
• Dilated pupils that don't respond to light

⚠️ Action: Emergency vet within hours