A Guide to Pet Emergency and First Aid in Pets

Helplessness is something you do not want to feel when your pet needs emergency attention. While rushing your pet to a vet clinic, you can also prepare some knowledge to respond appropriately. Being informed allows you to act with purpose when every second counts.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

Tips on how to identify a pet emergency and respond with basic first aid safely
Common emergencies in cats and dogs, along with what to do for each scenario
When to call an emergency vet clinic in Singapore

Identifying a Pet Emergency Before Going to an Emergency Vet Clinic in Singapore

Being able to recognize early signs can save your pet’s life. Seek help immediately from an emergency vet clinic in Singapore if you observe any of the following:

Ingestion of Foreign objects or Toxic substances
Difficulty breathing
Choking
Seizures or Twitching
Sudden mobility loss
Collapse (with or without consciousness)
No urination for over 24 hours
Uncontrollable Bleeding
Physical Trauma (e.g., broken bones) and Injuries from Accidents (e.g., fall from height/traffic accident)
Eye Injuries
Symptoms of Heatstroke (e.g., panting, disorientation, drooling)

This list will be elaborated in the next section, but is not exhaustive. If you’re ever unsure, always contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore and they can advise whether the situation warrants immediate care.

A Guide to Common Emergencies in Cats and Dogs and When to Contact an Emergency Vet Clinic in Singapore

One of the most important things you can do during a pet emergency is to respond appropriately and calmly. Taking the right actions early can increase the chances of your pet’s recovery before you reach an emergency vet clinic in Singapore.

Here are essential steps to follow when facing a pet emergency:

Stay Calm

Panic can cloud your judgment. While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, remaining calm allows you to:

Assess the situation more clearly
Handle your pet gently without worsening injuries
Communicate effectively with emergency veterinary staff

Assess the Area for Hazards

Quickly ensure your surroundings are hazard free:

Remove any immediate dangers, like electrical wires, sharp objects, traffic, etc.
Move your pet to a safer area if necessary

Alert the Vet

Contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately. Vets for Life is fully equipped to offer emergency and critical care services. Our pet clinic in Katong has an overnight team for 24/7 care for critical patients.
Keep emergency clinic numbers saved in your phone for quick access.
Always call ahead. Even if a clinic accepts walk-ins, calling first allows the vet team to prepare equipment, assign staff, and guide you on first-aid measures while you’re on the way.

Now, let’s look at the most common pet emergencies in Singapore and how to respond. To save time, one person should call the vet while another person gives the pet first aid. Even if your pet appears better after first aid, always get a vet to check them afterwards.

Foreign Object Ingestion (e.g., toxic substances, indigestible objects)

Many household items are toxic to pets, such as pesticides, poisonous plants (e.g. lilies, tulips), and human foods that are poisonous to pets (e.g. chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts). Toxic substances can cause multiple organ failure.
Indigestible objects can get stuck in your pet’s intestines (e.g. socks, toys, needles). They can obstruct or rupture your pet’s gut and cause a life-threatening infection (sepsis).
Warning signs: repeated vomiting, inability to keep food/water down, abdominal pain, seizures, not eating, lethargy, drooling, and loss of coordination.
What to do:
- Contact a vet immediately, even if your pet looks normal.
- In some cases, a vet may safely induce vomiting, but never try this at home without veterinary advice.

Seizures

Seizures are uncontrolled movement caused by abnormal brain activity. They may be triggered by poisoning, organ issues, or neurological conditions.
Seizures reduce oxygen supply to the organs and raise the pet’s temperature, causing multiple organ damage. The longer and more frequent the seizures, the more dangerous it is for your pet.
Seizures can be localized to one body part or generalized to the entire body.
Warning signs: full-body jerking, paddling, frothing, or loss of awareness.
What to do:
- Call an emergency vet clinic right away. Recording the episode can help vets determine if it’s a seizure or something else (e.g. collapse).
- If prescribed, administer seizure medication as instructed by the vet: place your pet on a soft surface, dim the lights, switch on the fans, and use pillows to protect their head.
- Never put anything in your pet’s mouth or try to restrain them. Don’t move your pet unless they are about to fall from a height.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is common in Singapore’s climate, occurring when the body overheats to dangerously high temperatures. This can cause seizures and multiple organ failure.
Greater risk for older pets, flat-faced breeds (e.g., bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats), overweight animals, and animals with underlying health conditions (especially heart/ lung conditions).
Minimize risk with good ventilation (e.g. fans) and free water access. Avoid walking your pets in hot weather.
Warning signs: heavy panting, drooling, incoordination, bluish/purple gums, vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse.
What to do:
- Move your pet to a shaded, cool area.
- Use fans or air-conditioning and pour cool (not cold) water over them. Offer water if they are able to drink.
- Never use an ice bath, as it constricts the blood vessels and worsens the condition.
- Contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately if symptoms persist.

Collapse

Collapse may or may not come with fainting. It may occur due to cardiac, respiratory, or neurological issues.
What to do:
- If your pet is unconscious, call them or stroke their back leg.
- If there’s no response, check their airway, breathing, and pulse carefully.
- Call your vet immediately. Clinic staff can guide you through emergency checks or CPR if necessary.

Uncontrollable Bleeding

Heavy or continuous bleeding can result from deep cuts, accidents, or internal injuries, and may quickly lead to shock if not addressed.
What to do: Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Maintain pressure until you reach a vet clinic in Singapore.

Physical Trauma

Physical trauma can occur due to accidents such as being hit by a car, falling from a height, or getting into fights with other animals.
Even with no visible injuries, there can be internal bleeding, fractures, or organ damage and can quickly become life-threatening.
Warning signs: limping, whining or crying in pain, visible wounds, difficulty breathing, weakness, or collapse.
What to do:
- Keep your pet calm and restrict movement to avoid worsening injuries.
- Do not try to reset broken bones or treat deep wounds at home.
- Carefully transport your pet to the nearest emergency vet clinic in Singapore for immediate evaluation and treatment.

Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Common causes include scratches from other animals, accidents, or foreign objects stuck in the eye.
What to do:

- Place a cone on your pet, as your pet will try to bother their eyes.
- If an eyeball has popped out (prolapsed), moisten it with sterile saline.
- Do not try to replace prolapsed eyeballs or remove embedded objects in the eye.
- Contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately.

Choking

Choking is often caused by food, toys, or small objects lodged in the throat, blocking airflow.
Choking pets struggle to inhale, unlike coughing which is forceful and noisy.
What to do:
- Immediately call an emergency vet clinic in Singapore.
- Ask the staff for guidance on performing finger sweeps or abdominal thrusts.

Sudden Mobility Loss

Sudden loss of mobility can result from fractures, spinal injuries, or neurological conditions.
What to do:
- Keep your pet calm and limit movement.
- Avoid touching broken limbs or painful areas, as your pet may lash out in pain and worsen the fracture.
- Transport them carefully to a vet clinic.

No Urination for Over 24 Hours

Lack of urination causes certain toxins usually excreted by the kidneys to build up in the body and can cause vomiting or collapse.
Inability to urinate may indicate urinary obstruction. Bladders can rupture if urine builds up, causing sepsis.
What to do: Contact a vet clinic in Singapore, even if there’s still urine production and your pet seems fine otherwise.

Conclusion

Pet emergencies are distressing, but with the right knowledge and quick action, you can improve your pet’s chances of survival and recovery. Emergency vet clinics in Singapore, such as Vets for Life, are equipped with advanced facilities, 24/7 support, and experienced teams to handle critical cases.

Check out our suite of services and save our clinic numbers below for quick access!