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…
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…
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.