When Minutes Matter

The best there is, every time.

If you think your pet may be experiencing an emergency, call us now at
(508) 379-1233.

If you are closer to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, call OSVS at (401) 886-6787.

Frequently, when an attentive pet owner feels concern over his or her pet, there is a medical issue that should be addressed. When you are uncertain whether your pet has a medical emergency, call us. We can determine if it’s a true emergency, and guide you through next steps.

Signs of an Emergency In…

Dogs
Cats
Avian & Exotic

When Minutes Matter

The best there is, every time.

If you think your pet may be experiencing an emergency, call us now at (508) 379-1233.

If you are closer to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, call OSVS at
(401) 886-6787.

Frequently, when an attentive pet owner feels concern over his or her pet, there is a medical issue that should be addressed. When you are uncertain whether your pet has a medical emergency, call us. We can determine if it’s a true emergency, and guide you through next steps.

Signs of an Emergency In…

Dogs
Cats
Avian & Exotic

Signs of Emergency in Dogs

  • Non-productive retching
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Constant coughing
  • Restlessness
  • Pale gums
  • An elevated heart rate (> 160 beats per minute at home)
  • Crying out in pain
  • Not being able to move
  • A distended abdomen
  • Extreme lethargy

  • Any significant amount of bleeding
  • Any trauma
  • Not walking
  • Dragging the back legs
  • Any toxin ingestion or poisoning
  • Squinting, bulging, or painful eyes
  • Bloody urine
  • Straining to urinate
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Severe diarrhea

Signs of Emergency in Dogs

  • Non-productive retching
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Constant coughing
  • Restlessness
  • Pale gums
  • An elevated heart rate (> 160 beats per minute at home)
  • Crying out in pain
  • Not being able to move
  • A distended abdomen
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Any significant amount of bleeding
  • Any trauma
  • Not walking
  • Dragging the back legs
  • Any toxin ingestion or poisoning
  • Squinting, bulging, or painful eyes
  • Bloody urine
  • Straining to urinate
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Severe diarrhea

Signs of Emergency in Cats

  • Repeated or profuse vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing, panting or open-mouthed breathing
  • Breathing rate greater than 50 breaths in one minute
  • Sitting over the water dish and not moving
  • Seizures or twitching
  • Drooling excessively
  • Extreme lethargy

  • Not moving
  • Hiding (for example under a bed or in a closet)
  • Sudden weakness in a limb or dragging a limb
  • Abnormal vocalizing
  • Any trauma
  • Any string hanging out of any orifice (do not pull)
  • Any toxicity or suspicion the cat ate or drank something it shouldn’t

Signs of Emergency in Cats

  • Repeated or profuse vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing, panting or open-mouthed breathing
  • Breathing rate greater than 50 breaths in one minute
  • Sitting over the water dish and not moving
  • Seizures or twitching
  • Drooling excessively
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Not moving
  • Hiding (for example under a bed or in a closet)
  • Sudden weakness in a limb or dragging a limb
  • Abnormal vocalizing
  • Any trauma
  • Any string hanging out of any orifice (do not pull)
  • Any toxicity or suspicion the cat ate or drank something it shouldn’t

Signs of Emergency in Avian & Exotic Pets

The evaluation of other species (small mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) can be difficult, and sometimes what may seem like a small change can indicate a serious illness. Generally speaking, any change in basic behavior, such as increased breathing effort, loss of appetite, or lethargy/decreased movement, should prompt a call to the emergency service.

When in doubt, it is always “better to be safe than sorry,” as many conditions are more successfully treated when caught early.