As a responsible dog owner, one of the most important duties is recognizing when your pet’s health requires emergency veterinary care. Dogs may appear healthy most of the time, but sudden illnesses or accidents can happen without warning. Identifying these signs early can save your dog’s life.
If your dog shows any of the following 10 emergency warning signs, visit an emergency vet in Dubai immediately.
1. Difficulty Breathing or Choking
Trouble breathing is always a veterinary emergency. Warning signs include wheezing, gasping, labored breathing, or noisy respiration. Possible causes include:
- Heart or lung disease
- Severe allergic reactions
- Heatstroke
- Foreign objects stuck in the airway
If you suspect your dog is choking, do not attempt to remove the object unless you’ve been trained in pet first aid. Go to the nearest 24/7 emergency pet clinic in Dubai right away.
2. Sudden Changes in Eating or Drinking Habits
A dog refusing food or suddenly drinking excessive amounts of water may have:
- Infections or dental problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Kidney disease or diabetes
- Cancer or systemic illness
If your dog shows loss of appetite for more than 24 hours or unexplained excessive thirst, schedule an emergency veterinary checkup.
3. Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
Occasional stomach upset can be normal, but:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, lethargy, dry gums)
These require urgent care. Causes can include poisoning, intestinal obstruction, parvovirus, or pancreatitis.
4. Extreme Fatigue or Collapse
If your dog suddenly becomes weak, collapses, or shows no interest in usual activities, it may be due to:
- Internal bleeding
- Low blood sugar
- Heart disease or organ failure
- Severe infections
Sudden lethargy or collapse is an emergency red flag, seek veterinary care immediately.
5. Swollen Abdomen or Bloating
A swollen belly, especially with restlessness, drooling, or unproductive vomiting, may signal gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), also known as “bloat.”
- This is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency surgery.
- Without treatment, GDV can cause shock and death within hours.
6. Open Wounds or Trauma
Visible injuries, bite wounds, or accidents (falls, car accidents) can cause severe internal bleeding or infection even if they look minor.
- Do not wait, have wounds assessed and treated by a veterinarian.
- Prompt cleaning, suturing, and antibiotics may be required.
7. Seizures
Seizures may appear as collapsing, paddling limbs, drooling, or unresponsiveness.
- A single short seizure may not be an emergency, but multiple seizures, seizures lasting longer than 2 minutes, or cluster seizures require urgent care.
- Causes include epilepsy, poisoning, heatstroke, or metabolic disease.
8. Sudden Aggression or Abnormal Behavior
If a normally calm dog becomes aggressive, disoriented, or unresponsive, it may be experiencing:
- Pain
- Neurological problems (e.g., brain tumor, encephalitis)
- Toxicity or metabolic disease
Any sudden change in behavior should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
9. Exposure to Toxic Substances
Common toxins for dogs in Dubai include:
- Chocolate, grapes, raisins
- Xylitol (in sugar-free products)
- Human medications
- Cleaning products, antifreeze, insecticides, toxic plants
Symptoms of poisoning: vomiting, drooling, tremors, seizures, lethargy. If ingestion is suspected, do not wait, go to a veterinary emergency hospital.
10. Problems with Urination or Defecation
Struggling to urinate or defecate, blood in urine/stool, or accidents in the house may indicate:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Bladder stones or obstruction
- Constipation or intestinal blockage
Male cats straining to urinate may have a blocked urethra, a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate attention.
Conclusion
Recognizing these 10 emergency signs in dogs can make the difference between life and death. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, don’t wait, visit an emergency veterinary clinic in Dubai right away.
At The Ark Veterinary Clinic, our experienced team provides 24/7 pet emergency services, ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment when your pet needs it most. Acting quickly saves lives.
