Is My Pet Okay?
How to Tell What Kind of Care They Need
Every pet owner knows the feeling: something seems off, and you're not sure whether to panic, call, or just keep an eye on it. Here's how we think about it.
Go Straight to an Emergency Clinic
Some things can't wait. If your pet is experiencing any of the following, skip the call and go directly to an emergency veterinarian:
Difficulty breathing, choking, or blue-tinged gums
Collapse, unresponsiveness, or seizures
Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion
Uncontrolled bleeding
Suspected broken bones or serious trauma
Bloated, distended abdomen — especially in large dogs
Inability to urinate, especially in male cats
Eye injuries or sudden vision changes
When in doubt and you can't reach us, err on the side of the emergency clinic. That's what they're there for.
Call Us First
A lot of situations fall into the middle ground — something is clearly off, but it's not obviously life-threatening. This is exactly when you should call us during office hours. We can help you figure out whether your pet needs to be seen today, can wait for a scheduled appointment, or just needs some monitoring at home.
Call us if you're seeing:
Vomiting or diarrhea more than once or twice, or with blood
Limping or sudden reluctance to bear weight
Not eating for more than a day
Lethargy that seems out of character
A lump, wound, or swelling you haven't seen before
Eye discharge, squinting, or pawing at the face
Coughing or sneezing that isn't clearing up
Any behavior that just feels wrong — trust your instinct
Watch and Wait
Some things are worth monitoring before taking action. A single episode of vomiting in an otherwise bright, alert pet. Mild soft stool without blood. A small scrape that isn't bleeding. Sneezing a few times.
If you're in watch-and-wait territory, here's what to track: Is it getting better, staying the same, or getting worse? Any new symptoms? Is your pet eating, drinking, and acting normally otherwise?
If anything shifts — call us.
When We're Closed
If something comes up outside of office hours, we've got you covered. Our website lists local after-hours and emergency clinics, and we also offer access to VetTriage — an on-demand service that connects you with a veterinary professional who can help you figure out next steps in real time. ADD LINK
A Quick Check You Can Do at Home
Gum color and moisture. Lift your pet's lip and look at the gums. They should be pink and moist — like the inside of your own cheek. Pale, white, gray, yellow, or bright red gums are all reasons to call. Tacky or dry gums can indicate dehydration.
Capillary refill time. Press your finger gently against the gums, then release. Color should return within about two seconds.
Temperature. A normal dog or cat temperature is between 100–102.5°F. Anything below 99°F or above 103°F is outside normal range. A rectal thermometer gives the most accurate reading.
Breathing. Watch your pet's chest at rest — not right after a walk or a bout of play. Normal resting respiratory rate is roughly 15–30 breaths per minute for dogs and cats.
Behavior and alertness. Is your pet responding to you normally? Interested in food? Able to stand and walk? Sometimes the most useful information is simply: does this seem like my pet?
