Go now: emergency signs
- Trouble breathing, gasping or choking, or blue, pale or grey gums.
- Collapse, a seizure, or sudden weakness or wobbling.
- Retching without bringing anything up, especially with a swollen belly.
- Heavy bleeding, or bleeding that does not stop within about five minutes of firm pressure.
- A known or possible poison, or a swallowed object, even if your dog seems fine.
- Hit by a car or a bad fall, even if your dog seems fine.
- Straining to pee with little or nothing coming out.
- Overheating: heavy panting, drooling and bright red gums on a hot day.
Call today, or watch for a day?
For signs that are not emergencies, this is the line most vets draw.
| Sign | Call your vet today if | Watch for a day if |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | it happens more than two or three times, there is blood, or it comes with diarrhea or lethargy | it happened once and your dog then eats, drinks and plays normally |
| Diarrhea | there is blood or black stool, it lasts more than a day, or your dog is a puppy or a senior | one soft stool after a food change, otherwise well |
| Limping | your dog will not put weight on the leg, or there is swelling or pain when touched | a mild limp that is clearly improving within a day |
| Coughing | it comes with breathing effort, happens at rest, or with lethargy or not eating | an occasional cough in a bright, eating dog; call if it lasts more than a few days |
| Not eating | more than a day, or together with vomiting or lethargy | skipped one meal, otherwise normal |
| Eyes | squinting, a cloudy eye, an injury, or green or yellow discharge | a little clear discharge with no squinting |
| Ears | head tilt, pain, swelling, discharge or a bad smell | mild scratching with no smell or discharge |
| Skin | an open, oozing or quickly spreading spot | mild itching with no broken skin |
What to tell your vet when you call
- When it started and how often it has happened.
- What came up or out. A photo helps.
- Whether your dog is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping.
- Anything your dog could have eaten.
- Medicines, and any recent change in food or routine.
How Miyu helps you decide
Photograph the stool, vomit, eyes, ears, skin or mouth, or record a cough, and Miyu gives one of four care levels: watch, keep an eye, see a vet today, or see a vet now. It keeps a history, so a vet visit starts with facts instead of memory.
Miyu never says all clear, and it never replaces your vet. The emergency signs above are always free in the app.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take my dog to the vet for diarrhea?
Call the same day for blood or black stool, diarrhea lasting more than a day, diarrhea with vomiting or lethargy, or any diarrhea in a puppy or senior dog.
When should I take my dog to the vet for vomiting?
Call the same day if it happens more than two or three times, contains blood, or comes with other signs. Go now for retching with nothing coming up or a swollen belly.
When is a limp an emergency?
Go now if the leg looks broken or dislocated, after a fall or a car accident, or if your dog is in severe pain. A dog that will not put weight on a leg should be seen the same day.
Should I go to an emergency vet or wait for my regular vet?
For any of the go-now signs, go to the nearest emergency clinic. Otherwise call your regular vet first; many clinics will tell you over the phone how soon your dog needs to be seen.
Sources
General guidance consistent with these veterinary sources. They did not review this page.
- Emergency Care for Your Pet · ASPCA
- When to call the vet · Banfield Pet Hospital
- Vomiting in Dogs · VCA Animal Hospitals
- Diarrhea in Dogs · VCA Animal Hospitals
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Miyu is not a veterinarian and does not diagnose. If your pet seems unwell or you are worried, contact your vet.
