When is it a pet emergency? Signs your pet needs urgent veterinary care
Some pet illnesses and injuries can become serious very quickly and require urgent veterinary treatment. While some problems may seem mild at first, symptoms such as breathing difficulties, collapse, seizures, poisoning, severe bleeding or difficulty urinating should never be ignored.
This guide explains some of the most common signs of a pet emergency and when you should contact a vet immediately. If you are ever unsure, it is always safest to call your vet for advice.
Call a Vet Immediately If Your Pet Has:
Difficulty breathing or choking
Collapse or severe weakness
Severe bleeding
Suspected poisoning
Been hit by a car
Signs of bloat or a swollen abdomen
If you are worried about your pet, contact your vet immediately for advice. Do not wait until morning if symptoms are severe or worsening.
Animal Trust Pet A&E Hospital information
Written by Gill Burkhill, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published May 2026 | Review date May 2029 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet
Emergency Symptoms and Conditions
Worried About Your Pet?
Some emergency symptoms can become serious very quickly, even if they seem mild at first. If you are unsure whether your pet needs urgent treatment, it is always safest to contact a vet immediately for advice.
Our Pet A&E hospitals provide 24/7 emergency and out-of-hours veterinary care, including emergency consultations, surgery and inpatient hospital care.
Breathing Difficulties and Choking
Breathing problems can become life-threatening very quickly. Signs include struggling to breathe, fast breathing, choking, noisy breathing, excessive abdominal effort, or open-mouth breathing in cats. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Is struggling to breathe
Has blue or pale gums
Is a cat open-mouth breathing
Cannot settle or lie down comfortably
Do not wait until morning. Contact a vet immediately.
Seizures and Collapse
Collapse, weakness or seizures can be caused by serious underlying problems including poisoning, neurological disease, heatstroke or internal bleeding. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Has a seizure lasting more than 3 minutes
Has repeated seizures
Suddenly collapses or cannot stand
Becomes unresponsive or disorientated
Contact a vet immediately if symptoms are severe or ongoing.
Poisoning and Toxic Ingestion
Many foods, medications and household products can be toxic to pets. Symptoms may include vomiting, drooling, tremors, seizures, breathing problems, or collapse. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Has eaten a known toxin
Develops sudden vomiting or tremors
Has seizures or collapse
Is struggling to breathe
Further reading:
Guide to Human Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs
Guide to Human Foods That Are Toxic to Cats
Guide to Medications That Are Toxic to Cats
Guide to Human Medications That Are Toxic to Dogs
Guide to Household Products That Are Toxic to Dogs
Guide to Household Products That Are Toxic to Cats
Severe Bleeding and Injuries
Heavy bleeding, road traffic accidents, burns or bite wounds may cause serious internal injuries even if wounds appear minor. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Has bleeding that will not stop
Has been hit by a car
Has deep wounds or burns
Seems weak, pale or distressed after trauma
Do not delay veterinary treatment after serious injuries.
Difficulty Urinating
Straining to urinate with little or no urine being passed may indicate a urinary blockage, particularly in male cats. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Cat is not peeing
Cries or strains repeatedly
Has a swollen or painful abdomen
Seems distressed or restless
Do not wait until morning. Urinary blockages can become life-threatening quickly.
Bloat or Twisted Stomach
Bloat (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and may twist. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Is trying to vomit but bringing little up
Has a swollen or hard abdomen
Appears restless or distressed
Suddenly collapses
Do not wait until morning. Immediate veterinary treatment is essential.
Vomiting and Diarrhoea
Vomiting or diarrhoea can sometimes become serious, especially if severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Seek urgent veterinary advice if symptoms are severe or worsening.
Eye Emergencies
Eye injuries and sudden eye problems can worsen rapidly and may threaten vision. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Has a swollen, blue or cloudy eye
Is keeping the eye closed
Has sudden blindness
Has suffered eye trauma
Eye emergencies should be treated urgently.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency caused by dangerously high body temperature. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Is excessively panting
Has difficulty breathing
Collapses or becomes weak
Heatstroke can rapidly become fatal without treatment.
Further reading:
Protecting Your Cat from Heatstroke
Protecting Your Dog from Heatstroke
Neurological Problems
Sudden neurological symptoms may indicate serious brain, spinal or nerve disease. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Suddenly cannot walk
Has severe weakness or paralysis
Develops head tilting or circling
Becomes disoriented or unresponsive
Urgent assessment is recommended for sudden neurological changes.
Stings, Bites and Allergic Reactions
Some allergic reactions can rapidly become life-threatening. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Has facial swelling
Is struggling to breathe
Collapses after a sting or bite
Develops vomiting, weakness or seizures
Severe allergic reactions require immediate veterinary attention.
Birthing Emergencies
Difficult labour (dystocia) can become dangerous for both mothers and babies. Call a vet immediately if your pet:
Strains for more than 20–30 minutes without delivery
Has more than 2 hours between deliveries
Has green or bloody discharge without delivery
Appears weak or distressed during labour
Birthing emergencies require urgent veterinary assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a pet emergency?
Breathing difficulties, collapse, seizures, severe bleeding, poisoning, inability to urinate, road traffic accidents and signs of bloat should always be treated as emergencies. If you are unsure, contact your vet immediately for advice.
Can this wait until morning?
Some symptoms can become serious very quickly, even if they appear mild at first. Difficulty breathing, collapse, repeated vomiting, seizures, inability to urinate and suspected poisoning should not wait until morning.
When should I call an emergency vet?
You should contact an emergency vet immediately if your pet has severe symptoms, rapidly worsening illness, signs of pain or distress, or any sudden change in behaviour that concerns you.
What should I do if my pet has eaten something toxic?
Contact your vet immediately. If possible, keep any packaging or details of what your pet may have eaten, as this can help guide treatment.
Is open-mouth breathing normal in cats?
No. Open-mouth breathing in cats is usually considered an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.
Why is my cat straining in the litter tray?
Straining with little or no urine being produced can indicate a urinary blockage, particularly in male cats. This is a life-threatening emergency and should be treated immediately.
What are the signs of bloat in dogs?
Common signs include retching without bringing anything up, a swollen or hard abdomen, restlessness, drooling and collapse. Bloat is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Can vomiting or diarrhoea be an emergency?
Yes. Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, blood in vomit or stools, weakness, collapse or inability to keep water down can all require urgent veterinary treatment.
What should I do if my pet has a seizure?
Keep your pet safe and away from hazards but avoid putting your hands near their mouth. Contact your vet immediately if the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes, repeats, or your pet does not recover normally afterwards.
What if I am unsure whether my pet needs urgent treatment?
If you are worried about your pet, it is always safest to contact your vet or an emergency vet for advice. Early treatment can be lifesaving in some emergencies.