Dogs cannot tell us what hurts, so we learn to read the signs. Some problems can wait for a regular appointment. Others deserve a phone call today. And a few need an emergency vet right now. This guide helps you tell the difference.
If you are not sure whether a sign is serious, call your vet’s office and describe what you see. A quick phone call beats a sleepless night of worry.
Call your vet today
These signs are not always emergencies, but they deserve a same-day call:
- vomiting or diarrhea that keeps coming back over several hours, or that contains blood
- a dog that refuses food for more than a day, or water for more than 12 hours
- straining to pee or poop without results
- a cough or gag that will not stop
- limping that does not improve after a day of rest
- eye trouble: squinting, redness, or discharge
- a lump that appears suddenly or grows fast
Describe how long the sign has been going on and whether your dog still eats, drinks, and acts like themselves. That helps the staff triage over the phone.
Go to the emergency vet now
Some signs mean minutes count. Head straight to an emergency clinic if your dog:
- has trouble breathing, or breathes fast while resting
- has a seizure, especially more than one in a row
- retches without bringing anything up, or has a swollen, hard belly. That combination can be bloat, and bloat can turn deadly within hours
- has pale, white, or blue-gray gums
- collapses, cannot stand, or is suddenly wobbly
- cannot pee
- was hit by a car or took a hard fall
- may have eaten something toxic
When you call ahead, the clinic can be ready for you. If you cannot call, just go.
Suspected poisoning
Chocolate, xylitol (the sweetener in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, onions, and macadamia nuts are common dangers, and so are rodent poisons and antifreeze. If your dog ate something toxic, do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 right away.
Do not make your dog vomit unless a professional tells you to; some toxins cause more damage coming back up. Keep the package or wrapper so you can say exactly what was eaten and how much.
When it can wait
Not every off day is an emergency. It is usually fine to watch and wait when:
- your dog vomits once and otherwise acts normal
- there is a single loose stool, then things firm up
- your dog skips a meal but is drinking and playful
- mild limping improves with rest
- a small, slow-growing lump that your vet already knows about stays the same
Even when you decide to wait, keep watching. If the problem worsens or new signs show up, make the call.
This page is for education, not medical advice. Your veterinarian is the best judge of what your dog needs, so when you are unsure, call the clinic and ask. That is what they are there for.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Should I Call My Vet?
- American Kennel Club: What Constitutes a Veterinary Emergency?
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control
More dog guides
Looking for more plain-language, source-linked help? Browse the full Dog Health 101 guide library.