When is it a Pet Emergency? A Guide to After-Hours Vet Care

It’s the middle of the night or a long weekend, and your beloved pet suddenly seems unwell. Every pet owner has faced that moment of panic: Is this an urgent trip to the emergency vet, or can it wait until morning?

Understanding the difference between a minor concern and a life-threatening emergency is the single most important tool you have to protect your dog or cat. Delaying care for a critical issue can drastically reduce your pet’s chance of survival.

Here is Pawssum's definitive guide to help you identify the red flags that demand immediate, after-hours veterinary attention.

The 7 Critical Pet Emergency Red Flags

If your pet is showing any of the following symptoms, stop reading and contact a veterinary professional immediately. Time is critical in these situations.

1. Severe Breathing Difficulties

• Signs: Excessive, non-stop panting (especially in cats, who rarely pant), gasping for air, wheezing, choking, or a blue/purple tint to the gums/tongue.
• Why it's urgent: Indicates a lack of oxygen, which can be caused by choking, heart failure, asthma, or internal bleeding.

2. Collapse or Loss of Consciousness

• Signs: Sudden weakness, inability to stand, staggering, fainting, or loss of consciousness.
• Why it's urgent: This is a sign of major systemic failure, often due to internal bleeding, severe heart problems, shock, or neurological issues (like stroke or severe illness).

3. Continuous Vomiting or Unproductive Retching (Dry Heaving)

• Signs: Vomiting multiple times an hour, or repeated retching/trying to vomit without anything coming up, especially if the dog's abdomen is visibly swollen or hard.
• Why it's urgent: In dogs, this is the classic sign of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) or 'Bloat', a life-threatening twisting of the stomach. In any pet, continuous vomiting leads to rapid, dangerous dehydration and may signal an intestinal blockage or poisoning.

4. Suspected Toxin or Foreign Body Ingestion

• Signs: Known or suspected ingestion of poisons (chocolate, xylitol, rat bait, human medication, lilies for cats) or foreign objects (socks, toys, strings). Symptoms may include drooling, foaming at the mouth, tremors, or collapse.
• Why it's urgent: Vets may have a short window (often one to two hours) to induce vomiting or administer treatments before the toxin or object is absorbed or moves into the intestines.

5. Seizures

• Signs: Any seizure lasting longer than 3-5 minutes, or multiple seizures occurring within a 24-hour period (cluster seizures).
• Why it's urgent: Prolonged seizure activity can cause severe brain damage and dangerously elevate the body's temperature. Even a first-time seizure should be investigated urgently.

6. Trauma and Severe Bleeding

• Signs: Being hit by a car, falling from a height, deep cuts/lacerations, animal bite wounds, or any bleeding that does not stop with light pressure after a few minutes.
• Why it's urgent: Internal injuries and bleeding are often invisible. Trauma needs immediate assessment, even if the pet initially seems fine due to adrenaline.

7. Inability to Urinate (Straining)

• Signs: Frequent squatting, straining, or spending long periods in the litter box without passing urine, or producing only drops of urine. This is especially critical in male cats.
• Why it's urgent: Inability to urinate suggests a potential urinary blockage, which is a painful and rapidly fatal emergency, causing toxins to build up in the blood.

What Can Wait (When to Use a Regular Vet Appointment)

Some symptoms can safely be monitored and addressed during regular hours. If your pet is generally bright, alert, and willing to drink water, you may be able to wait.

Pawssum: Your Immediate Plan of Action

When faced with a potential pet emergency, remember to stay calm, as your pet can sense your anxiety.

Step 1: Contact a Vet - 1300 343 580

If your local clinic is closed, you have two key options:

• For Critical Emergencies (Red Flags above): Head straight to the nearest 24/7 specialist emergency hospital, but call them on the way so they are ready for your arrival.
• For Urgent but Non-Critical Issues: Utilize a fast, convenient service like Pawssum emergency home visit or Pawssum’s Telepet video call service. A vet can assess the severity of the symptoms via video, offer immediate advice, and help you determine if a clinic visit is truly necessary or if home management is sufficient.

Step 2: Safe Transport

For an injured or distressed pet, minimize movement. Use a rigid object (like a board or large book) to support injured limbs if possible. For cats, gently guide them into a carrier or wrap them snugly in a towel.

Don't wait and wonder. If you are unsure, an emergency vet consultation is the safest choice.

➡️ Find Help Fast: Contact Pawssum Emergency & after-hours vet services

For less urgent, but time-sensitive care, book a comforting ➡️ At-Home Consultation with a Mobile Vet.