Recognizing Pet Emergencies: When to Seek Immediate Care in Reno

As a pet owner, it can sometimes be challenging to determine if your pet needs emergency veterinary care or if they can wait for an appointment to be seen. While it is always recommended to err on the side of caution and bring your pet in regardless of the time, there are several conditions that require immediate treatment, as your pet could be at serious risk. These situations include the following:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Open mouth breathing in a cat
  • Difficulty defecating or urinating, especially male cats that are straining to urinate*
  • Constant coughing or wheezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Constant, non-productive retching (especially if a bloated abdomen is also seen)
  • Abnormal gum color
  • Inability to walk
  • Acting disoriented
  • Weakness or collapse
  • Loss of motor function
  • Seizures
  • Crying out in pain
  • Wounds or injury to the body
  • Significant bleeding
  • Bite wounds / Lacerations
  • Sudden appearance of bruising without injury or trauma
  • Ingesting poison
  • No urination for more than 24 hours
  • A bloated abdomen
  • Diarrhea with loss of appetite, vomiting, or retching
  • Bulging eyes or sudden blindness
  • Facial swelling or hives
  • Any sick exotic pet (bird, hamster, ferret, snake, etc) should be seen immediately

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and you should always seek medical advice from your veterinarian to decide if your pet needs emergency attention. If you are concerned about your pet’s health and safety, you should always bring them to the emergency vet for immediate treatment.

Preventing Pet Emergencies: Proactive Measures for Reno Pet Owners

Regardless of your safety measures, accidents can still happen to your pet. However, some common pet emergencies can potentially be avoided with some prevention strategies. These include the following:

  • Regular wellness exams: Your pet should visit their veterinarian for routine wellness exams to identify any health issues and catch them before they become emergencies later on.
  • Pet-proof your home: It is vital that you familiarize yourself with standard household supplies and plants that are toxic to pets and either secure them or remove them from your home. Understanding what foods are harmful to your pet can also help prevent accidental poisoning.
  • Understand your climate and surroundings: Weather extremes, high tick populations, local predators, and rough terrain can all cause potential pet emergencies. Understanding your surroundings and what could cause harm to your pet is essential in preventing an unexpected pet emergency.
  • Train your pet: A well-trained pet will respond to your commands in a potentially dangerous situation. If they get off of their leash or you are approaching a dangerous or toxic object, having a well-trained pet could mean the difference between avoiding the hazard and ending up in an emergency situation. Teaching your pet not to eat anything without permission can also help prevent ingestion of toxic substances.

Despite your best efforts, emergencies can still happen, and you should arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to respond to the situation and get your pet the immediate care they need. Knowing your nearest emergency veterinarian hospital and having their contact information readily available can save you valuable time in getting your pet medical attention.

In addition to these prevention strategies, you should ensure that your pet’s identification information is up to date, including microchipping, in case you need to be contacted in an emergency.

How to Act Quickly In a Pet Emergency

While pet emergencies can be scary and overwhelming, it is crucial you stay calm and understand the necessary steps you should take to ensure your pet receives medical intervention as quickly as possible. Having a pet emergency plan in place can make all the difference in keeping everyone level-headed and acting swiftly to assess the situation and take necessary action to keep your pet alive. 

When in doubt, you should always call your vet for advice on what you can do in the immediate aftermath of a pet emergency to help stabilize your pet before transporting it to an animal hospital. However, you can take a few key first-aid steps to ensure you are prepared for a pet emergency and know how to respond. These steps include the following:

  • Have a pet first aid kit ready: Some things you should include in your pet emergency kit are absorbent gauze, hydrogen peroxide, disposable gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol wipes, ice packs, towels, and contact information for your nearest emergency vet hospital.
  • Learn basic pet first aid: Pet CPR, maneuvers for when your pet is choking, and bleeding and injury stabilization are all important first aid measures that you can learn to help your pet in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
  • Have travel equipment readily available: Your pet’s travel carrier, leash, harness, or any other equipment you typically use to transport them should be readily available to get them to the emergency vet as quickly and safely as possible. 

While first-aid does not replace veterinarian care, it can help stabilize your pet until you can get them to an emergency pet hospital. It is important to note that an injured or sick animal might act differently than usual, and you should approach them with caution and care for both their safety and that of your own. 

Emergency Care FAQ

If your pet needs emergency care, contact:

  • Animal Emergency Center of Reno: (775) 851-3600
  • Blue Pearl Pet Hospital: (775) 358-8555

Both facilities operate 24/7 for pet emergencies and have veterinarians specialized in emergency medicine.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance:

    1. Remove your pet from the source of toxin immediately
    2. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian
    3. Contact your nearest emergency animal hospital  right away
    4. Bring the substance or its packaging with you to the hospital
    5. If possible, note approximately when ingestion occurred and how much was consumed
  • Consider calling ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline at  (888) 426-4435. Please note there is a fee associated with this toxin helpline however they may help you understand if an emergency visit to your closest emergency hospital is required or not. Additionally, many emergency hospitals end up calling this hotline and extending the cost to you with a higher fee. If you call yourself, you can often save money and potentially very valuable time!

Common household toxins include chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free products), certain plants, human medications, antifreeze, and rodenticides.

Yes, Mountain View Animal Hospital offers urgent care services by appointment  for situations that require prompt attention but aren’t immediate life-threatening emergencies. These include:

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Minor injuries or wounds
  • Urinary problems
  • Eye injuries or infections
  • Limping or mobility issues
  • Allergic reactions

Call (775) 853-6900 to discuss your pet’s needs and schedule an appointment.

When your pet is in pain or behaving unusually:

  1. Remain calm – pets often respond to their owner’s emotions
  2. Minimize handling to prevent defensive reactions or bites
  3. Observe symptoms and behavior changes to report to the veterinarian
  4. Contact an emergency vet for guidance on next steps
  5. Transport your pet safely using a carrier for small animals or a makeshift stretcher for larger pets
  6. Never administer human pain medications as many are toxic to animals

Preventing toxic exposures requires proactive household management:

  • Store all medications (pet and human) in secured cabinets
  • Keep household cleaners and chemicals in closed, pet-inaccessible areas
  • Research house plants before bringing them home and remove toxic varieties
  • Secure trash cans with locking lids
  • Be aware of seasonal hazards (holiday plants, antifreeze in winter)
  • Remove access to foods toxic to pets such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and xylitol-containing products
  • Consider using baby-proof latches on cabinets containing dangerous items

For severe vomiting episodes:

  1. Remove food and water for 2-3 hours to allow the stomach to rest
  2. After this period, offer small amounts of water (1-2 tablespoons for small pets, ¼-½ cup for larger pets)
  3. If water is tolerated, offer small amounts of a bland diet (plain boiled chicken and rice)
  4. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if:
    • Vomiting continues despite withholding food
    • Your pet appears lethargic or weak
    • You observe blood in the vomit
    • Your pet has pre-existing conditions like diabetes
    • The abdomen appears swollen or painful
    • Your pet is a puppy, kitten, or senior animal

Signs that indicate your pet needs immediate emergency attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
  • Inability to urinate or defecate
  • Severe bleeding that doesn’t stop within 5 minutes
  • Known trauma (being hit by a car, falling from height)
  • Seizures or collapse
  • Extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
  • Ingestion of toxic substances
  • Severe pain indicated by crying, whining, or aggressive behavior when touched
  • Significant swelling, especially of the face or neck
  • Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood

When in doubt, call an emergency veterinarian for guidance.

To ensure the most effective emergency care:

  • Your pet’s medical history including known conditions
  • List of current medications and supplements
  • Primary veterinarian’s contact information
  • Details about the emergency (when symptoms started, what occurred)
  • Any relevant items (ingested substance packaging, photos of symptoms before arrival)
  • Your photo ID and payment method

Transporting injured pets requires special care:

  • For small animals: Use a secure carrier lined with towels or blankets
  • For larger dogs: Create a makeshift stretcher using a rigid board covered with a blanket
  • Minimize movement of pets with suspected broken bones or trauma
  • Cover pets with a light blanket to help prevent shock
  • Keep the environment quiet and calm during transport
  • Have someone assist you when possible – one person to drive and one to monitor the pet

Contact us at at  (775) 853-6900 for specific guidance based on your pet’s condition.

During our regular business hours, we are here to perform all follow-up care for your pet. If your pet is currently receiving care from or has recently been to the emergency center, please let us know so we can ensure all medical records and case information is made available to our team to ensure the highest quality of post-emergency treatment for your pet.