Knowing when to call us immediately — and when something can wait until morning — is one of the most valuable things a pet owner can learn. This guide covers the signs that require urgent attention.
When in doubt, call. We'd rather reassure you over the phone than have you wait on something serious. There's no such thing as a silly question when it's your pet.
Call us immediately — or go to an emergency hospital
The following signs require same-day veterinary attention. If it's outside our business hours, go directly to your nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
- Difficulty breathing, labored breathing, or open-mouth breathing in cats
- Pale, white, blue, or gray gums — indicates poor circulation or oxygen deprivation
- Collapse or inability to stand
- Seizures — especially if lasting more than 2 minutes or occurring in clusters
- Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, medications)
- Unproductive retching or a distended abdomen in large-breed dogs — possible bloat (GDV)
- Trauma — hit by car, fall from height, animal attack
- Eye injury or sudden vision loss
- Urinary obstruction in cats — straining to urinate with little or no output
- Suspected broken bones
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea with blood
- Suspected snake bite
Call us during business hours — same day
These signs are serious and warrant a same-day call, but are not necessarily life-threatening emergencies.
- Vomiting or diarrhea more than 2–3 times in 24 hours
- Not eating for more than 24 hours (cats: 12 hours — hepatic lipidosis risk)
- Limping or sudden lameness
- Swollen or painful abdomen
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Sudden behavioral changes — hiding, aggression, disorientation
- Lump that has appeared suddenly or grown rapidly
- Ear pain, head shaking, or discharge from the ear
- Eye discharge, squinting, or cloudiness
Can wait for a scheduled appointment
Not everything is an emergency. These signs are worth addressing but don't require immediate attention.
- Mild, occasional vomiting (once or twice, otherwise normal)
- Soft stool without blood, otherwise normal behavior
- Mild limping that improves with rest
- Sneezing or mild nasal discharge without other symptoms
- Small, stable lumps that have been present for months
- Mild itching or skin irritation
- Bad breath (schedule a dental exam)
After-hours emergency resources
We are open Monday through Friday 8 am–6 pm and Saturday 9 am–2 pm. For after-hours emergencies, please contact a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. We recommend keeping the number of your nearest emergency hospital saved in your phone before you need it.
When you call any emergency line, be ready to describe: your pet's species, breed, age, and weight; what you observed and when it started; any medications your pet takes; and whether they may have ingested anything unusual.
Our number: During business hours, call us at (845) 473-0358. We triage urgent cases same-day. If you're unsure whether something is an emergency, call — we'd rather answer the question than have you wait.
