Emergency Vet Care
When every minute matters, know what to do.
This page exists because we'd rather you never need it. But if you do, everything you need is here.
Is It An Emergency?
If you see any of these signs, don't wait. Contact us immediately.
Dogs
- ⚠Difficulty breathing or rapid panting at rest
- ⚠Bloated or distended abdomen
- ⚠Inability to stand or sudden collapse
- ⚠Seizures lasting more than 2 minutes
- ⚠Profuse bleeding that won't stop with pressure
- ⚠Ingestion of poison, chocolate, grapes, or medication
- ⚠Heatstroke (excessive drooling, bright red gums, vomiting)
Cats
- ⚠Open-mouth breathing or panting (always an emergency in cats)
- ⚠Straining to urinate with no output (especially male cats)
- ⚠Sudden hind-leg paralysis
- ⚠Not eating for more than 24 hours
- ⚠Hiding and vocalising in pain
- ⚠Ingestion of lilies, antifreeze, or string/thread
- ⚠Pale or blue gums
Birds & Exotics
- ⚠Sitting fluffed at the bottom of the cage
- ⚠Laboured or tail-bobbing breathing
- ⚠Bleeding from any site
- ⚠Not eating or drinking for 12+ hours
- ⚠Sudden swelling or lumps
- ⚠Discharge from eyes, nose, or mouth
- ⚠Loss of balance or head tilting
What To Do
Five steps. Read them now so you don't have to think later.
Stay calm
Your pet reads your energy. A calm owner helps a scared animal.
Assess the situation
Is your pet breathing? Conscious? Bleeding? Note these details for the vet.
Call ahead
Contact us on WhatsApp or call before you arrive. We can prepare for your pet and talk you through immediate steps.
Transport safely
Keep your pet warm and still. Use a towel or blanket as a stretcher for dogs. Keep cats in a carrier. Minimise movement for suspected fractures.
Bring what you can
Any medication your pet takes, vaccination records (the app has these), and if poisoning is suspected, bring the packaging.
Living in the UAE
The hazards your pet faces here are different. Know them.
Heatstroke
Dubai summer temperatures exceed 45°C. Never walk dogs between 10am and 5pm in summer. Paws burn on hot pavement in under 60 seconds. If your dog is panting excessively, drooling, or has bright red gums, cool them with lukewarm (not cold) water and get to a vet immediately.
Poisoning
Common household toxins in UAE homes: chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol (sugar-free gum), lilies (fatal to cats), rat poison in communal areas, antifreeze from car parks. If ingestion is suspected, do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet.
Snake & Scorpion Bites
Desert and garden areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates carry risk. Keep pets away from rocky areas at dawn and dusk. If bitten, keep the animal still, note the time, and get to emergency care. Do not apply a tourniquet or try to suck out venom.
Tick-borne Disease
Ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are prevalent in the UAE. Check your pet for ticks after walks, especially in grassy or sandy areas. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever. Early treatment is critical.
Your Pet First Aid Kit
Prepare before you need to. Keep these at home.
Sterile gauze pads and self-adhesive bandage wrap
Saline solution (for flushing wounds and eyes)
Digital thermometer (normal range: 38.0-39.2°C for dogs and cats)
Blunt-tipped scissors and tweezers
Hydrogen peroxide 3% (only use if instructed by a vet)
Your pet's vaccination records and medication list
Emergency vet contact saved in your phone
A spare carrier or sturdy box for transport
Save this page. Share it with someone who has a pet. You might save an animal's life.