emergency
When should you call an emergency vet? A simple checklist
Not every late-night worry is an emergency, and not every emergency is obvious. Here is the checklist we recommend keeping on the fridge.
Out-of-hours vet visits are expensive and stressful. The challenge is knowing when waiting until morning is safe and when every minute matters. This guide is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you are unsure, always call your vet. Most UK practices have a 24-hour phone line that routes to an emergency provider.
Call an emergency vet right now if your pet has
Difficulty breathing, blue or pale gums, or a collapsed posture. Been hit by a car, even if they seem fine. Internal bleeding can be invisible for hours. Eaten chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, ibuprofen, paracetamol, antifreeze, slug pellets or any human prescription drug. A swollen, hard abdomen, especially with retching but nothing coming up. This is often a sign of gastric torsion in dogs, which is fatal within hours if untreated. Severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure within five minutes. A seizure lasting more than two minutes, or several seizures in a row. Inability to pass urine. Cats, especially male cats, can die within 48 hours from a urinary blockage. ## Probably safe to wait until morning Mild limping with no swelling. Eating less than usual but still drinking and behaving normally. One bout of vomiting or diarrhoea with no other symptoms. A small wound that has stopped bleeding and is not actively swelling. When in doubt, ring the practice. Most reception staff or duty nurses will triage you over the phone for free.
What to bring If you are heading in:
any packaging from suspected toxins, a record of any medicines your pet is on, and the most recent invoice from a previous visit if you have it. Knowing what you are about to be charged is fair, even in an emergency. A reputable practice will give you a written estimate before any non-urgent treatment.