Probably an emergency
- Call a vet or animal clinic immediately — even in the middle of the night.
- Do NOT induce vomiting without veterinary advice (can cause further harm with some substances).
- Note if possible — What was ingested? How much? When?
- Keep the animal calm and warm — excitement speeds up absorption of toxins.
- Safety first: hazard lights on, wear a hi-vis vest, move the animal off the road only if safe to do so.
- Hitting wildlife is reportable — call the police (110) and obtain a wildlife damage certificate.
- Injured pets should go to a clinic immediately — internal injuries are often not visible.
- Keep the animal warm, speak calmly, do not leave it alone.
- Check the gums — blue, white or grey = go to an emergency vet immediately.
- Keep the animal calm and do not stress it — excitement increases oxygen demand.
- Do not give water or food.
- Drive to the nearest animal clinic immediately — breathing difficulty can deteriorate rapidly.
- Do not restrain the animal — you could injure yourself or the animal.
- Clear away dangerous objects and place soft padding nearby.
- Time it — seizure lasting more than 3 minutes or multiple episodes in a row = go to emergency vet immediately.
- After the seizure the animal is often exhausted and disoriented — stay calm and keep watch.
- Call the emergency vet immediately — unconsciousness is always an emergency.
- Keep airway clear — gently extend the head and check the mouth for obstructions.
- Place the animal on its side (recovery position) and keep it warm.
- Monitor breathing and pulse — if breathing stops, ask the vet for CPR guidance.
- Do not touch unless there is immediate danger to life — stress alone can kill wild animals.
- Contact the nearest wildlife rescue station or local veterinary authority.
- Fledglings on the ground usually do not need help — parents are often nearby.
- Veterinary emergency services can also assist or refer you.
Probably not an emergency
Many calls to the veterinary emergency service are not true emergencies. These guidelines help you decide whether it can wait until the next regular opening day — keeping the emergency line free for cases that truly cannot wait.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Still bearing some weight on the leg, even if favouring it
- No visible swelling, misalignment or open wound
- Began after resting, lying down a long time or vigorous play
- Licking the paw — may be a foreign body (splinter, stone, glass) that can be removed if visible
Call now if…
- Not bearing any weight, holding the leg up continuously
- Visible swelling, unnatural angle of the limb or open wound
- Suspected bite wound — even tiny punctures can hide deep tissue damage
- Pain clearly worsening over the course of hours
- Possible fracture following a fall or impact
Tip: Examine the paw carefully under good light — foreign bodies between the toes can often be removed at home if clearly visible. If no foreign body is found and the limping does not improve by the next morning, have a vet examine the cause. Bite wounds should always be seen by a vet: the coat often conceals deeper injury.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Skipped one meal but is still active and alert
- Still drinking water normally
- No vomiting, no diarrhoea, no distended abdomen
- Likely cause: stress (visitors, moving, loud noises), heat or a recent food change
Call now if…
- Has not eaten for more than 24 hours (dog) or 12 hours (cat)
- Also vomiting, diarrhoea or marked lethargy
- Puppies or young animals: act after 8–12 hours — blood sugar drops quickly
- Barely drinking either
- Animal seems to be in pain, sitting hunched or reluctant to be touched on the abdomen
Tip: Cats should never fast for longer than 24–48 hours — hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) can develop quickly and become life-threatening. Note when the animal last ate and whether it is still passing stool — your vet will ask both questions.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Vomited once, shortly after eating (often undigested food or bile)
- Calm and relaxed afterwards, seeking contact as normal
- No blood in the vomit, no distended abdomen
- May have eaten too quickly — common in dogs
Call now if…
- Repeated vomiting in quick succession, animal cannot settle
- Blood or coffee-ground-like material in the vomit
- Distended, hard or tender abdomen — possible gastric torsion, act immediately!
- Constantly licking lips, compulsive swallowing or drooling unusually
- Vomiting combined with diarrhoea and noticeable weakness
- Suspected ingestion of a foreign object (toy, bone, plastic)
Tip: After a single episode, withhold food for 4–6 hours (dogs) to let the stomach settle, then offer small portions of bland food (plain boiled chicken and rice). For cats, keep the fasting period short as they can develop fatty liver quickly. Offer small amounts of water — not large quantities at once.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Shallow, clean wound under approx. 2 cm
- Bleeding lightly and stops on its own within 5–10 minutes
- Animal shows no severe pain and lets you examine the area
- Clear cause visible (surface scrape, small cut from a known object)
Call now if…
- Heavy bleeding or bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Suspected bite wound — small entry points can hide deep tissue damage or abscesses
- On the face, at or near the eyes, or over a joint
- Wound edges gaping (cannot be held closed)
- Already showing signs of infection: redness, warmth, swelling, smell or discharge
- Any eye injury — always see a vet promptly
Tip: Rinse clean wounds with lukewarm water or saline solution. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or iodine directly in the wound — these damage tissue and slow healing. Bite wounds are deceptive: they often look minor on the surface while the underlying tissue is significantly damaged. Always have them checked by a vet.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Single loose stool after a food change or an unusual treat
- Animal is active, drinking normally and showing no other symptoms
- No blood or mucus in the stool
- Still passing stool (no complete obstruction)
Call now if…
- Blood or large amounts of mucus in the stool
- Repeated diarrhoea combined with vomiting — dehydration sets in quickly
- Animal barely drinking and visibly weakened
- Puppies, young animals, senior animals or those with an existing condition
- Suspected ingestion of a toxic substance or foreign body
- Diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
Tip: Offer bland food for 12–24 hours (plain boiled chicken and rice or a veterinary gastrointestinal diet) to help the gut recover. Make sure the animal drinks enough — dehydration is the most common serious complication. Do not give human anti-diarrhoea medication (e.g. loperamide) without veterinary advice: some active ingredients are toxic to animals.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Occasional sneezing with no or clear, watery discharge
- Breathing sounds calm and normal — no wheezing or whistling
- Active, eating and drinking as usual
- Likely cause: dust, pollen, new cleaning product or a brief irritant
Call now if…
- Visible breathing difficulty: mouth open, flanks heaving
- Gums or tongue are pale, blue or grey — emergency!
- Loud wheezing, rattling or gurgling sounds when breathing
- Coughing up yellow, green or blood-tinged discharge
- Neck stretched forward or head held low (trying to get more air)
Tip: Check the gums — they should be pink and moist. Pale, white, blue or grey means go to the emergency vet immediately. Clear nasal discharge is usually harmless; yellowish-green discharge may indicate a bacterial infection and should be assessed at the next regular appointment.
Can wait until tomorrow if…
- Sleeping a bit more but still eating and drinking
- Responds normally to voice, familiar sounds and affection
- No trembling, stumbling or coordination problems
- Likely cause: heat, an unusually active day, new surroundings or a recent vaccination
Call now if…
- Barely responding to voice or touch
- Trembling, muscle twitching or seizures
- Stumbling, staggering or falling over without obvious cause
- Sudden dramatic deterioration with no clear explanation
- Lethargy combined with vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulty or pain
Tip: Note how long the lethargy has been going on and whether other symptoms are developing — your vet will need this information. In older animals, pain (e.g. arthritis) or early organ problems can cause increased sleepiness without other obvious signs. If in doubt, book an appointment the next morning.