Puppy emergency signs: when to see a vet

When your puppy is unwell, it’s hard to know how worried to be. This guide sorts common problems into three groups: go to a vet now, ring your vet today, and watch closely at home. If you’re not sure which group you’re in, ring your vet. A quick call is always worth it.

Go to a vet now

Ring the vet first, or on the way, so they can get ready for you.

• Not breathing, collapsed, or can’t be woken.
• Struggling to breathe, or choking.
• Gums that are blue, grey, pale or white. Healthy gums are pink. Blue gums can mean not enough oxygen, and pale gums can mean blood loss or shock.
• A seizure (fit) that lasts more than 2 minutes, or a puppy who stays dazed and doesn’t come round properly afterwards. See the seizure first aid below.
• Bleeding that won’t stop.
• Hit by a car or had a bad fall, even if they seem fine. There may be injuries inside that you can’t see.
• Ate something poisonous, like chocolate, grapes, xylitol, rat or snail bait, or human medicine. Go even if your puppy seems well.
• Blood in vomit or diarrhoea, or vomiting or diarrhoea again and again.
• A swollen, tight or painful tummy.
• Very weak, wobbly or trembling, especially a small puppy who hasn’t been eating. Small puppies can get dangerously low blood sugar.
• Sudden swelling of the face, or hives (raised, lumpy skin), after a sting or after eating something.

Simple first aid on the way

• Bleeding: press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or bandage. Don’t lift it to check. If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top.
• Seizure: move furniture away, and keep your puppy away from stairs and water. Don’t put your hands or anything else in their mouth. Time the fit. Don’t drive them anywhere while they’re fitting unless your vet tells you to.
• Injury: keep your puppy warm and still, and lift them gently. A scared, sore puppy may bite, so take care.
• Poisoning: don’t make your puppy vomit unless a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline tells you to. Don’t give food or drink first. Take the packet with you.

Ring your vet today

• Not eating, or has skipped two meals in a row.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea that isn’t better within 24 hours, or comes with tiredness.
• Limping and not putting any weight on a leg.
• Yelping when you touch one spot.
• Crying or straining when weeing or pooing.
• An eye that is held shut, red or swollen, or has yellow or green goo.
• Breathing fast while resting or asleep.
• A hot, painful or fast-growing lump or swelling. Don’t squeeze it.
• A first seizure, even if your puppy seems back to normal.

Watch closely at home

These are often OK to watch for a day, as long as your puppy is bright, drinking and acting like themselves. Ring your vet if things don’t improve, or get worse.

• One or two soft poos, or a single vomit. Offer small, plain meals and keep fresh water available. Ring your vet if it isn’t better within 24 hours, or sooner if your puppy is very young or small.
• Limping but still using the leg. Rest them for 24 hours, with no running, jumping or stairs. Ring your vet if it isn’t clearly better, or gets worse.
• Sneezing, or a clear runny nose after a big sniff around. Ring your vet if it lasts more than a day or two, turns thick or coloured, or comes with a cough, tiredness or not eating.
• Itchy, red or scaly skin, or bald patches. Book a vet visit this week, and don’t treat it yourself first.
• A small lump that isn’t sore. Show your vet at your next visit, or sooner if it grows, changes or becomes sore.
• Lots of sleep after play. That’s normal, as long as they wake up bright.

Who to ring

• Your own vet, during opening hours.
• Your nearest 24-hour emergency vet, after hours.
• For poisoning, you can also ring the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and charges a fee. If your puppy is already unwell, go straight to a vet.