Managing Emergencies for your Pet

We know your pet is a much-loved family member and their health and wellbeing are top priorities. But even with the best care, accidents and emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Knowing how to respond in those critical moments can make all the difference to your pet’s recovery. Whether it’s recognising the signs of a medical issues, administering first aid or getting them to your vet fast, being prepared means the receive the help they need when they need it the most.

Be informed

If the worst happens you need to know where to go for urgent care. Always keep your vet’s information to hand and make sure you know have the details of their out-of-hours service. Better still, save all the important numbers in your phone so you can call straight away in the event of an emergency. Medivet has 27 24-hour emergency veterinary surgeries around the UK, ready to help you in a heartbeat.

Signs your pet needs help

While some symptoms are obvious, other are more subtle but equally serious. Here are the signs that may indicate you pet needs urgent veterinary treatment:

Difficulty breathing – Breathing open-mouthed (especially in cats), rapid or shallow breathing, gasping for air or pale or blue gums
Collapse or unresponsiveness – Your dog experiences a sudden collapse and is unable to stand. They may fall unconscious or be unresponsive to stimuli
Severe bleeding – Bleeding that doesn’t stop within 5-10 minutes or visible heavy bleeding or trauma
Severe vomiting or diarrhoea – If your pet vomits or suffer diarrhoea continuously, especially if it contains blood. Vomiting foam, bile or foreign objects
Visible injuries or trauma – Broken bones or injuries from accidents
Seizures – Sudden uncontrolled movements, sometimes accompanied by drooling or loss of bladder control
Choking or obstruction – Coughing, gagging, pawing at their mouth or signs of distress while eating or drinking
Poisoning – Ingestion of known toxins like chocolate, xylitol, medications, cleaning products etc. Symptoms like drooling, vomiting or tremors after suspected poisoning

Some of the less obvious signs can include:

Changes in gum colour – Blue or yellow gums can be a sign of shock, lack of oxygen or live problems
A swollen and painful abdomen – A distended or painful abdomen, often accompanied by drooling, restlessness or retching could be a sign of bloat, a life-threatening condition where a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food or fluid and twists
Straining to go to the toilet – Lots of effort with little output may indicate a blockage, infection or severe constipation
Lameness or stiffness – Sudden limping or difficulty moving could indicate a sprain, fracture or neurological issue
Increased or decreased urination – Can be a sign of diabetes
Rapid weight loss or sudden swelling – Swelling in specific areas can indicate a severe allergic reaction or tumours
Sudden behaviour changes - Lethargy, aggression or hiding can all indicate and injury or illness
Excessive drooling or panting – Can indicate poisoning, nausea or heatstroke in dogs. In cats panting is always abnormal and required immediate attention
Prolonged labour in pregnant pets – Difficulty delivering a puppy or kitten, or no progress after straining for more than 30 minutes
Vaginal discharge and lethargy in an entire bitch- this can be a sign of a uterine infection

What to do in an emergency

Call your vet for advice - The moment you realise your pet is having a serious medical emergency phone your vet. They’ll be able to offer advice over the phone about measures you can take to support your pet and hopefully improve their condition. They may tell you to bring your pet in straight away.
Carry out first aid – If it’s safe and appropriate to do so give them immediate first aid such as applying pressure to stem bleeding
Transport them carefully – It’s hard when you’re worrying about your pet and want to get them to the vest as fast as you can but be careful how you move them. You want to avoid causing them any more pain than they’re already in and also avoid the risk of getting bitten
Toxin ingestion – If you think pet has eaten something they shouldn’t bring as much information as possible to the vet
Medication – Bring with you any medication they’re on to help your vet implement the right treatment plan

The importance of pet insurance

While we know your main concern is getting your pet back to good health, emergency treatments can cost thousands. The right insurance policy will cover you for emergency trips and tests. Be sure to check the policy before you sign to make sure it covers emergency treatment.