Canine emergencies: What every dog owner needs to know about urgent health crises

A dog that has undergone any sort of trauma is in need of a vet. This can include incidents such as falling from a great height or being hit by a car, or uncontrolled bleeding or severe wounds. If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous subject, or has uncontrollable vomiting or an upset stomach, or any sign your pup is in severe or consistent pain, you need to find a vet to provide urgent care.

Common signs your dog needs immediate help

Symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing

• Collapsing or loss of consciousness

• Seizures

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Sudden severe pain

• Swollen or bloated abdomen

• Vomiting with blood

• Pale or blue gums

1. Difficulty breathing or collapse

While it may be scary, stay calm – your dog can sense your stress and maintain a calm demeanour.

Minimise unnecessary movement and handling to prevent increased anxiety and breathing effort, and ensure they are quiet, cool and away from noise, heat and other stressors.

If your dog is struggling to breathe, it may be because they are choking. Gently prise their mouth open to see their airway is obstructed. If there is something lodged in their throat, do not try and push it further.

Head to the emergency clinic, and be sure to move with speed if your dog’s condition is rapidly worsening or you notice their gums going blue – this could mean your dog is suffocating.

2. Bleeding or severe injury

As always, keep calm – reassure your dog to prevent them for being agitated or from biting the injury.

Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean, absorbent material and monitor your dog for signs of shock. If there is an object in your dog’s wound, do not try and remove it yourself Contact your vet immediately so they can check there is no critical or internal injuries.

3. Heatstroke or overheating

If you spot your dog exhibiting symptoms such as excessive panting and drooling, a glazed look or lethargy, they may be suffering from heatstroke. If you suspect your dog has overheated, end any activity immediately and move your pup to a shady space or a cooler room.

Douse your dog is cool water (in no way icy) on their armpits, groin and neck to help them cool down. If you have fans, or access to air conditioning, turn them towards your dog. Contact your vet immediately, even if your pup seems to be recovering, just to ensure they’re fit.

4. Poisoning (Common toxins for dogs)

Poisonings are common, unfortunately, and depend on the substance eaten. Some toxic substances your dog might have swallowed include rat or slug bait, anti-freeze, chocolate, grapes, raisins, fruitcake, human medications, xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in some chewing gum) and onions.

• Never 'wait and see' with poisoning and always take any packaging with you to your vet

• Never make your dog sick yourself as it can cause further complications and make your dog worse

5. Seizures

If your dog starts exhibiting signs of a seizure, try and clear furniture to avoid further injury. If your pet is somewhere dangerous, such as by the stairs, gently slide them to a safer spot using a blanket or towel under them (although it’s best to avoid moving them or interfering at all).

Time the seizure and keep the environment calm so your dog isn’t too overwhelmed.

Once the seizure is done, keep your dog cool and monitor their behaviour. Contact your vet if this is your dog’s first seizure (as it could have been invoked by a trauma), if their seizure lasts more than a few minutes, or if your dog has several seizures over a short time period.

6. Bloating and gastric torsion

This could be the life-threatening condition Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, where the dog’s stomach gets bloated with gas and then twists. Watch out for your dog’s swollen and hard stomach, excessive drooling and restlessness and panting. Call ahead to your vet and head to the clinic immediately - do not wait to see if symptoms improve, as this can significantly impact your dog's chance of survival.

7. Choking

Acting fast is crucial here: restrain your dog, and carefully their mouth to look for what could be the object obstructing their thrat.

If it is safe to, remove the object. If you can see and reach a large, loose object, use your fingers or tweezers to remove it. However, this is not always advisable, as you could end up pushing the object further down their throat.

Sharp blows to the back may also help dislodge the object – small dogs should be held upside down and given four sharp blows to the back. Larger dogs should lay on one side and have their ribcage struck three to four times.

Abdominal thrusts also help; wrap your arms around the dog’s belly, make a fist and push firmly upwards and forwards. Keep repeating back blows and abdominal thrusts into the object is dislodged.

Whether you are able to dislodge the object or not, take your dog to the vet’s straight afterwards for a thorough examination.

8. Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions may be life-threatening to pets. If you see dog exhibiting signs of swelling, breathing difficulties, hives, vomiting, or collapsing, contact your vet immediately. Do not administer human medication, and if your dog is struggling to breathe, position them on their side with their back leg raised.

9. Uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhoea

Excessive vomiting and diarrhoea are also emergencies in their own right. They often require veterinary intervention (e.g. intravenous fluids), and effects usually indicate something more sinister, such as a foreign body obstruction.

10. Eye or head injuries

If your dog has an eye injury:

• Stay calm and urge your dog not to rub or paw their eye
• Take a good look at your dog’s eye to see if there’s any redness, swelling or scratches
• If you think debris may have got into your dog’s eye, gently flush the eye with a vet-approved saline solution
• Even if your dog feels better afterwards, take them to the vets to ensure they are feeling better.

If your dog has a head injury

• Remain calm
• Control any bleeding and apply firm pressure with a clean cloth
• Call your local vet immediately, particularly if you see your dog acting strangely or is having seizures

Safe first aid steps for dogs

The important thing to do is to stay calm and measured. Yes, it might be scary to see your dog be in sudden crisis, but they can still pick up on your mood even when they are in pain themselves.

Contact your vet straightaway and avoid touching or moving your dog unless it is imperative to do so for their own safety. If you do need to transport them, support their body and keep them as still as possible.

What to avoid during a dog emergency

• Never give your dog human medication, unless a vet advises you to do so
• Don’t apply creams or ointment for burns – just add cool water
• Don’t apply bandages that are too tight as this can only cause more harm

•  Pet proof your home – secure any toxic substances in high (or locked) cupboards, or in storage that your dog cannot open, and keep small items out of reach
• Use baby gates, if you have them, to prevent your dog to access areas that are potentially dangerous
• Supervise playtime that your dog has, and provide shade and water so they don’t overheat (particularly on hot days). Never, under any circumstances, leave your dog in a hot car
• Be sure to visit the vet regularly for health check-ups, and ensure your dog gets lots of exercise so they are as fit, as healthy, and as happy as possible.