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What is an emergency?

Oftentimes, it is difficult to determine whether your pet is experiencing an emergency or is just having an off day. The following symptoms are important indicators that your pet needs medical attention. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, seek veterinary care immediately. IndyVet is always available for emergency care—24/7, every day of the year.

General Signs & Symptoms of an Emergency

  • Any difficulties breathing: short or shallow breath, increased effort, gagging, choking

  • Weakness, inability to walk, sudden collapse

  • First-time seizure, seizures lasting more than three minutes, or multiple seizures

  • Non-productive retching/vomiting, swollen or distended abdomen

  • Allergic reactions including swelling, rashes, or itching

  • Excessive or persistent bleeding

  • Inability to urinate, straining to urinate

  • Diabetic animals refusing food

  • Pregnant animals in labor for more than one hour without delivering, those that have gone more than three to four hours between delivering

  • Bumping into things, disorientation

  • Signs of pain such as whining, shaking, hiding, or dull behavior

  • Vomiting blood, passing blood in stools/ urine

  • Changes in behavior, appetite, elimination habits

Gray cat with green eyes smiling with gray background

Trauma

  • Bite wounds

  • Blunt force trauma (hit by car, car accident, fall from heights)

  • Penetrating injuries

  • Eye injuries

  • Strangulation

  • Broken bones

Dog Looking at Bandaged Paw

Environmental Emergencies

  • Burns

  • Drowning

  • Electric shock

  • Heatstroke

  • Hypothermia/frostbite

Vet Holding a Black Dog

Ingesting Foreign Objects

Both dogs and cats may ingest foreign objects that can lead to life-threatening obstructions of their GI tract.

  • Holiday tinsel, ribbon, string, dental floss, thread (especially cats!)

  • Needles and other sharp metallic objects

  • Items of clothing

  • Fabric

  • Small toys

  • Corn cobs

  • Wooden skewers and toothpicks

Cat being examined

Caution for Cats

There is a saying, “cats are not small dogs.” What this means is that cats are unique creatures that have very specific needs. These items cause serious problems for cats:

  • Lilies of all types

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol® )

  • Cleaning solutions (like Pine-Sol® )

  • Holiday tinsel and ribbon

  • Mice that have been eating rat poison

  • Needles and thread

  • Flea products made for dogs

  • Essential oils

Ingesting Toxic Substances

Foods, household items, medications, and plants that are safe for us are not always safe for our pets. Unsafe substances include:

Foods

  • Chocolate

  • Grapes/raisins

  • Macademia nuts

  • Onions/garlic

  • Avocado pits

  • Xylitol sweetener (gum)

  • Yeast dough

Medications/Drugs

  • Human pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Advil® , acetaminophen)

  • Blood pressure medications

  • Stimulants

  • Vitamin supplements

  • Nicotine cigarettes/patches, vape pens

  • Marijuana/THC products

  • Illicit drugs

Household Items

  • Cleaning solutions (Pine-sol® , bleach, laundry/dishwasher detergents, etc.)

  • Rat baits (or rodents that may have ingested the bait)

  • Slug bait

  • Essential oils (cats)

  • Flea products made for dogs given to a cat

  • Lilies (cat)

  • Electrical cords

  • Antifreeze

  • Wood glue, super glue, Gorilla Glue®

  • Cocoa mulch

  • Coins

  • Wild mushrooms

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