Emergency Triage at Home: Before You Drive
What's truly urgent and what to do first.
When in doubt, GO. It's always better to be told "everything's fine" than to wait too long. This guide helps you prepare—not replace—veterinary care.
Go now
Drop everything and drive to the nearest emergency vet:
Difficulty breathing, blue/white gums, open-mouth breathing (cats)
Uncontrolled bleeding that won't stop with pressure
Suspected poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, rodenticide, lilies for cats, grapes)
Seizure lasting over 3 minutes or multiple seizures
Hit by car or major trauma (even if they seem okay)
Unable to urinate (especially male cats—this is deadly within hours)
Collapse, extreme weakness, unable to stand
Bloated/distended abdomen with retching (large breed dogs—GDV)
Penetrating wounds (bite wounds, impaled objects)
Same day
Call your vet and get in today:
Vomiting or diarrhea more than 3-4 times in 24 hours
Not eating for 24+ hours (cats: 12+ hours is concerning)
Limping that is severe or non-weight-bearing
Eye injuries—squinting, swelling, discharge
Straining to urinate or defecate
Swollen face or hives (possible allergic reaction)
Painful abdomen—crying when touched
Lethargy that's a clear departure from normal behavior
Can wait for a regular appointment
Keep watching, but a scheduled appointment is usually fine:
Single episode of vomiting or soft stool (otherwise normal)
Mild limping that improves with rest
Occasional sneezing or mild cough
Small cuts or scrapes that are clean and not bleeding
Decreased appetite for less than a day (dogs)
Mild itching or skin redness
While You're on the Way
Stay calm
Your pet reads your energy. Deep breaths help both of you.
Call ahead
Let the ER know you're coming and what happened. They can prepare.
Minimize movement
For trauma, keep your pet as still as possible. Use a board as a stretcher for large dogs.
Don't give medications
Human medications like ibuprofen and Tylenol are toxic to pets. Don't give anything without vet guidance.
Control bleeding
Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth. Don't remove—add more layers on top.
Bring information
What happened, when, any substances involved, your pet's medications, and your vet's name.
Know Your Numbers
100-120
Normal dog temp (°F)
100-102.5
Normal cat temp (°F)
Under 30
Normal resting breaths/min
Normal gum color is pink (salmon). White, blue, yellow, or brick-red gums indicate an emergency.
Be Prepared
Keep These Posted on Your Fridge
- • Your regular vet's phone number and hours
- • Nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic address
- • ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (fee applies)
- • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (fee applies)
- • Your pet's weight, medications, and medical conditions
Related Reading
Educational only. Not a substitute for veterinary care. When in doubt, go to the vet.