When it cannot wait until tomorrow
The signs that mean calling at once, and those that let the night pass.
Call without waiting
Difficulty breathing
Open mouth, bluish tongue, stretched neck: this is the emergency that allows no delay.
Swollen, hard belly
Especially in large dogs, with retching that brings nothing up: stomach torsion is counted in hours.
Bleeding or open wound
Bite, road accident, a wound that will not stop: apply pressure and set off.
Seizures
A seizure lasting more than five minutes, or repeating during the day.
Poisoning
Chocolate, grapes, antifreeze, human medicine, rat poison: bring the packaging.
Cat that stops urinating
A male cat going to the litter tray with no result is a life-threatening emergency, not constipation.
What can wait until tomorrow
Withhold food for a few hours, leave water available, and watch. A single vomit in an alert animal that drinks can wait for the next day’s consultation.
Unsure how serious it is?
A telephone call costs less than a night of waiting. Describe what you see.