Emergency vet Valcea

If you think your pet's life may be in danger, call us right away — even before you set off — so our team can get ready for your arrival. When in doubt, call: it's always better to check.

Call us immediately if your pet…

• is struggling to breathe, or has blue, gray or very pale gums;

• has collapsed, can't stand or is unresponsive;

• is bleeding heavily, or the bleeding doesn't stop after 5 minutes of pressure;

• has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or several seizures in a row;

• may have eaten something toxic — rat poison, antifreeze, human medicines, chocolate, grapes or raisins, xylitol (sugar-free gum) or lilies (cats);

• has a swollen, hard belly and keeps trying to vomit without bringing anything up (especially large dogs);

• has been hit by a car or had a fall — even if it seems fine;

• (male cats) is straining in the litter box with little or no urine;

• is giving birth and has strained hard for more than 30 minutes without a puppy or kitten being born;

• is vomiting or has diarrhea again and again, especially with blood;

• shows signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, weakness after heat or exercise;

• has an eye injury, or is clearly in severe pain.

First aid on the way

• Bleeding: press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or gauze and keep the pressure on.

• Poisoning: don't make your pet vomit unless we tell you to. Bring the packaging or a sample of what was eaten.

• Heatstroke: move your pet into the shade, pour cool — not ice-cold — water over its body and keep the air moving, then come straight in.

• Seizures: move objects out of the way, dim the lights and keep your hands away from its mouth. Note how long the seizure lasts.

• Injuries and possible fractures: keep your pet as still as possible and carry it on a board or a blanket.

• Burns: cool the area under cool running water for a few minutes.

Please don't

• give human medicines — acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen, for example, are dangerous for pets, and acetaminophen can kill a cat;

• give food or water until a vet has seen your pet — it may need sedation or surgery;

• wait to see whether things improve once you notice any of the signs above.

Your safety and the journey

• A pet in pain may bite or scratch, even its owner. Approach calmly and handle it gently; a soft muzzle can help, but never muzzle a pet that is vomiting or struggling to breathe.

• Bring cats and small pets in a carrier, and larger dogs on a leash or on a blanket used as a stretcher.

• If you can, bring your pet's medicines and recent medical records.

This advice is for first aid only and doesn't replace a veterinarian. If you're not sure whether it's an emergency, call us — we'll tell you what to do.