Emergency Info

Dogs and cats may be mildly to severely allergic to:

• Stings from bees, wasps and other stinging insects
• Vaccines
• Medications

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity:

Allergic reactions to insect bites and stings are common for pets, and can vary in severity. Common symptoms of facial swelling, swelling around the wound, hives, or red ears or skin. Symptoms of a severe reaction may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and/or collapse. Mild reactions may worsen and should be evaluated by a vet.



There are 3 types of reactions that can occur:


Mild: Minimal swelling or pain at the sting/injection site. May or may not require treatment. Monitoring for worsening reaction is strongly advised.

Moderate: Swelling at the site and development of hives and/or swelling around the eyes or face, tummy or groin. Cats rarely develop hives but will scratch themselves and may have trouble breathing. The earflaps will often become red and swollen. The reaction may occur immediately after the sting, or be delayed by minutes to hours. You should take your pet to a veterinarian for injection treatment.

Severe: Following the bite or sting the pet vomits, has diarrhea, and has difficulty breathing or collapses. PLEASE NOTE: Oral antihistamines for acute, severe reactions are usually ineffective and can be dangerous for your pet.

Pets with a severe reaction need to see a veterinarian immediately, as the vomiting and diarrhea may become bloody and cause a severe, life-threatening condition.

There are many causes for anemia (decreased red blood cells). If your pet is bleeding excessively from an open wound, you should try to calm them down and place a bandage directly over the source of bleeding. Make sure that it is not placed too tight and have them seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Other causes of anemia may not be as obvious, and can be the result of several conditions including:

• Immune mediated disease (the immune system attacks and destroys the body’s red blood cells)
• Intra-abdominal bleeding from a ruptured tumor on the liver or spleen
• Rodenticide poisoning resulting in bleeding into the chest or abdominal cavity

Despite the cause and source of bleeding, your pet will likely display similar symptoms which can manifest as:

• Weakness, lethargy and collapse
• Fast breathing and elevated heart rate
• Pale gums
• Coughing or distended abdomen (if they have internal bleeding)

If you suspect your pet is anemic, you should have them seen by a veterinarian immediately.  Animal Urgent Care is stocked with canine and feline blood products in the event your pet requires a blood transfusion.

The most common bite wounds are:

• Dog vs. Dog
• Dog vs. Cat
• Cat vs. Cat.

Wild animal bites can cause some of the most severe bite wounds.

Bite wounds can cause infections and damage beneath the skin which can be very serious. It is difficult to tell how much damage has been done beneath the skin, which is why it is important for your pet to see a vet. First, clean the site of the wound with water and gentle soap. It may need an antibiotic to fight infection, which is why your pet should be seen promptly.

If the wound is large and underlying tissue is exposed, do NOT put anything on the wound and take the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Bloating in pets can be a life-threatening condition. It is most common in larger dogs but can occur in any dog or cat. Your pet needs evaluation by a vet as soon as bloating is detected.

Signs of bloating and/or twisted stomach include:

• Abdominal distention
• Retching or trying to vomit, but all that comes up is foamy material
• Rapid heart rate
• Weakness
• Pale gums
• Unable to get comfortable or lay down
• Panting

Treatment usually requires aggressive medical stabilization with intravenous fluids, along with stomach repositioning surgery. Early treatment is essential, because left untreated, stomach twisting results in stomach lining death and stomach rupture.

If you suspect your pet may be bloated, take your pet to a veterinarian or Animal Urgent Care immediately.

Heart disease is common in both cats and dogs, although the exact mechanisms as well as symptoms vary greatly. In dogs, coughing and exercise intolerance are usually the first symptoms to be observed. Cats typically don’t cough but may exhibit an increased respiratory rate, lethargy and inappetence.   

As heart disease progresses, the heart decompensates and fluid will begin to accumulate in the lungs (most commonly) or abdomen. When this occurs, they will develop labored breathing which can manifest in different ways depending on the species (see respiratory distress).

If you suspect your pet could be in congestive heart failure it is extremely important that you get them to a veterinarian immediately where treatment can be administered in the form of oxygen and diuretics.  Try to minimize stress as much as possible during transport of your pet to the hospital.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication to diabetes mellitus, which can occur in both cats and dogs. The most obvious symptom of diabetes mellitus is increased drinking and urination, increased appetite and weight loss. If diabetes mellitus goes untreated or an already diagnosed diabetic acquires an additional disease such as pancreatitis, they can develop a severe/complicated form of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis. 

If your pet is currently being treated for diabetes with insulin and stops eating, begins vomiting or appears lethargic, it is best to NOT give more insulin and have them seen right away. Animals that develop diabetic ketoacidosis need to be managed in the hospital until they are stable enough to go home. Once home, they will usually require insulin therapy for life, which is both a time and financial commitment that every pet owner needs to be made aware of and comfortable with before going forward.

Foxtails are a type of grass found throughout Southern California. These benign-looking plants have barbs that help attach themselves to the fur of dogs and cats.  Once attached, they will continue to migrate and can penetrate through tissue into body cavities.

The most common location for foxtails in dogs are the ears, nose and paws. Symptoms of embedded foxtails pertain to their location on the body and may include:

• Head shaking/ear scratching
• Incessant sneezing with or without blood
• Excessive foot licking, swelling/pustule between the toes

When possible, it is best to avoid walking your pet through areas that are dense with foxtails.  Always check your pet’s coat after walks and promptly remove foxtails from their coat.  If you suspect your pet may have a foxtail lodged in their skin, seek treatment immediately.

Lameness is an abnormal gait or stance which is usually the result of pain in one of the extremities. This can occur as the result of many conditions, including soft tissue injuries (strains/sprains, contusions), fractures or dislocations. 

If your pet is consistently lame, in pain and/or refuses to put weight on a leg, you should have them seen immediately. X-rays may be advised to assess for a fracture or dislocated bone.  Certain types of fractures and dislocations can be managed conservatively with splints and rest, while others may require surgery for best long-term outcomes. Animal Urgent Care works closely with several board-certified surgeons to treat most fractures that are not amenable to conservative management.

Pets should never be left in the heat for too long, and they should NEVER be kept in a car on a hot day. If your pet has heat stroke, they need emergency care immediately.

Heat stroke can develop in dogs whose temperature has reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Excessive panting even after resting
• Drooling
• Bright red, infected gums
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody urine
• Collapse

Your first thought may be to provide your pet with water, but this is not enough. Heat stroke can lead to kidney failure and death, so your pet needs to receive emergency care immediately.

A pet with a collapsed disc may experience several symptoms, including:

• Severe back or neck pain
• Weakness or inability to walk
• Hunched posture
• Dragging their hind limbs
• Inability to urinate or defecate.

This condition is painful and can get worse, so you should seek immediate medical care for your pet if they are experiencing these symptoms. Be careful when transporting your pet to the vet’s office; use a carrier or crate and try to limit movement of their neck or spine. If your pet is in a lot of pain, a muzzle may be needed. The sooner you seek treatment, the better. Surgery may be required. This condition is more common in pets who are longer than they are tall.