When to see a vet: emergency, call soon, or watch at home

Emergency now: go to a vet or emergency hospital

Call ahead on the way so they can be ready. These signs come from AVMA first-aid guidance and Ohio State's veterinary hospital list of pet emergencies [2][3].

• Trouble breathing, choking, or blue-tinged gums or tongue
• Collapse, unconsciousness, or pale gums
• Severe bleeding, or bleeding that won't stop after a few minutes of firm pressure
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth or rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine
• A seizure lasting over 5 minutes, or 2+ seizures in 24 hours
• Swallowed or touched something possibly poisonous (antifreeze, rodent bait, xylitol, chocolate, medicines, toxic plants)
• Straining to urinate or pass stool, or producing nothing (especially male cats)
• A swollen, hard belly or retching without bringing anything up (possible bloat in dogs)
• Heatstroke signs: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, confusion
• Hit by a car, a fall from a height, a broken bone, or unable to use the back legs
• Eye injury, squinting, or sudden blindness
• Repeated vomiting that won't stop, or bloody diarrhea
• Snake bite, burns, or electrocution
• Trouble giving birth, or a weak, listless puppy or kitten

Typical cost: an emergency exam fee alone is about $115 (most $99–$129, PawsRx published prices) [4], and the median total emergency invoice is $808 (typical $409–$1,807, VetReceipt owner bills) [5]. Surgery or an overnight stay can cost much more. See emergency vet costs.

Call your vet soon (same day or next day)

These usually aren't emergencies, but they're worth a call to your regular vet, who can tell you how soon to come in. If any of these get worse, or your pet also seems weak, in pain, or stops drinking, treat it as an emergency.

• Vomiting or diarrhea more than once, or lasting over a day, even if your pet seems otherwise OK
• Not eating for about a day (sooner for cats, puppies, kittens and small pets)
• Limping that lasts more than a day but your pet still bears weight
• Head shaking, scratching at ears, or an ear smell
• Itchy skin, hot spots, or hair loss
• Drinking or urinating much more than usual
• A new lump or bump
• Mild eye or nose discharge, or a cough that keeps coming back
• Bad breath, red gums or dropping food while eating
• Weight loss or less energy than usual over several days

Typical cost: a regular exam fee is about $75 (most $65–$88) [4]. With tests or medicine, a routine bill is typically $168–$505 (median $275) [5]. See vet visit costs.

Watch at home (and call if it doesn't clear up)

Mild, one-time things in an otherwise bright, normal pet can often be watched for a day. Call your vet if it happens again, lasts more than a day, or anything on the lists above appears. Be more cautious with puppies, kittens, seniors, and pets with ongoing health conditions.

• A single vomit or one soft stool, then back to normal eating, drinking and energy
• An occasional sneeze with no discharge
• A small scrape or scratch that isn't bleeding, deep or swollen
• Eating a bit less for one meal on a hot day or after a busy day
• A brief, mild limp after play that is gone within hours

Typical cost: $0 while you watch. If it doesn't clear up, plan for a regular exam (about $75) [4].

Typical costs by urgency

Costs are national ranges for budgeting only. See costs in your city, or find a vet near you. Waiting to save money can make some problems more serious and more expensive, so when in doubt, call.

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