Is it an emergency? When to rush your pet to the vet

Most of the time a pet’s off-day resolves on its own. But some signs are genuine emergencies where minutes matter — and knowing the difference, with a number ready to call, can save your pet’s life. Here’s what should never wait.

Red-flag signs — call now

If you see any of these, treat it as an emergency and call straight away:

• Difficulty breathing, choking, or blue or pale gums.
• Collapse, or being unresponsive.
• Repeated vomiting, or a swollen, hard belly (a sign of bloat).
• Straining to urinate with little or nothing passing — especially in male cats.
• A seizure.
• Severe or non-stop bleeding.
• Suspected poisoning (see below).
• Signs of heatstroke — heavy panting, drooling, wobbliness, collapse.
• Trauma — a road accident, a fall, or a serious bite.

Watch closely — call if it continues

Not everything is an emergency. A single episode of mild vomiting or diarrhoea, a slight limp, or skipping one meal can often be monitored at home. Call if it persists beyond a day, worsens, or your pet also seems lethargic or in pain.

Suspected poisoning

If your pet may have eaten something toxic — chocolate, grapes or raisins, xylitol (in sugar-free gum), cleaning products or certain plants — call immediately, before symptoms appear. Bring the packaging if you can. Don’t try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Heatstroke in the UAE

In this climate, heatstroke is a real and fast-moving emergency. Heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbliness or collapse all need action: move your pet somewhere cool, offer water, cool them gradually (not with ice-cold water), and call the clinic on the way.

What to do while you call

Stay as calm as you can, keep your pet quiet and safe, and don’t give any human medicines — many are toxic to pets. Having our number saved means you’re never scrambling in the moment.