Pet Emergency Care in Tucson AZ

Pet Emergency? Call Adobe Veterinary Center Immediately

(520) 546-8387

Adobe Veterinary Center provides pet emergency care for dogs and cats in Tucson during our regular business hours. If your pet needs emergency veterinary care after hours, call us and our phone system will connect you directly with Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center.

The following are some of the most common pet emergencies and warning signs that require immediate veterinary care.

Difficulty Breathing

Breathing problems should always be treated as an emergency.

Signs may include:

• Open-mouth breathing in cats
• Labored or rapid breathing
• Blue, gray, or pale gums
• Choking or gasping for air

What to Do Immediately

• Keep your pet as calm and quiet as possible.
• Avoid unnecessary activity or exercise.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.

Collapse or Unresponsiveness

If your dog or cat suddenly collapses, faints, or becomes unresponsive, seek veterinary care immediately.

Signs may include:

• Inability to stand
• Fainting
• Unresponsiveness or difficulty waking
• Sudden weakness or collapse

What to Do Immediately

• Keep your pet warm and as still as possible.
• Do not offer food or water unless instructed by a veterinarian.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital immediately.

Severe Bleeding

Heavy bleeding can quickly become life-threatening.

Signs may include:

• Bleeding that does not stop after several minutes of firm pressure
• Large or deep wounds
• Blood coming from the nose, mouth, rectum, or in the urine

What to Do Immediately

• Apply gentle, firm pressure with a clean towel or bandage.
• If blood soaks through, place another bandage over the first rather than removing it.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Hit by a Car or Other Serious Injury

Even if your pet appears normal after an accident, internal injuries may not be immediately visible. Prompt veterinary evaluation is essential.

Examples include:

• Being hit by a vehicle
• Falling from a significant height
• Being attacked by another animal
• Gunshot wounds
• Deep puncture wounds

What to Do Immediately

• Keep your pet as still as possible.
• If your pet cannot walk, carefully move them using a blanket, board, or other firm surface.
• Do not attempt to treat serious wounds yourself.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital immediately.

Seizures

Not every seizure is an emergency, but some require immediate veterinary care.

Emergency evaluation is recommended if:

• A seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
• Multiple seizures occur within a 24-hour period.
• Your pet does not recover normally after a seizure.
• It is your pet’s first seizure.

What to Do Immediately

• Keep your pet away from stairs, furniture, and other hazards.
• Do not place your hands near your pet’s mouth, as pets may bite unintentionally during or immediately after a seizure.
• Time the seizure if possible.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as it is safe to do so.

Poisoning

If you think your dog or cat has eaten something poisonous, contact Adobe Veterinary Center immediately. Many foods, medications, chemicals, and plants can become life-threatening very quickly.

Common toxins include:

• Chocolate
• Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butter)
• Grapes or raisins
• Onions or garlic
• Human medications
• Rodenticides
• Antifreeze
• Household cleaners
• Toxic plants
• Marijuana or other recreational drugs

What to Do Immediately

• Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian or an animal poison control center.
• If possible, bring the product packaging or container with you.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Difficulty Urinating

A cat that is straining to urinate or producing little or no urine may have a life-threatening urinary blockage. Although urinary blockages are most common in male cats, dogs can also experience urinary emergencies.

Signs may include:

• Frequent trips to the litter box or repeated attempts to urinate
• Straining to urinate
• Crying or vocalizing while trying to urinate
• Producing little or no urine

What to Do Immediately

• Do not wait to see if your pet improves.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital immediately.

Vomiting or Diarrhea

Occasional vomiting or diarrhea is not always an emergency, but some situations require immediate veterinary care.

Seek immediate care if your pet:

• Cannot keep water down
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhea
• Has blood in the vomit or stool
• Appears weak or dehydrated
• Is a puppy, kitten, senior pet, or has an underlying medical condition

What to Do Immediately

• Offer small amounts of fresh water unless your pet continues to vomit.
• Do not give human medications unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately for guidance.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital if advised or if symptoms become severe.

Abdominal Bloating (Bloat)

A swollen stomach combined with repeated attempts to vomit without bringing anything up may indicate gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly called bloat. This life-threatening condition most often affects large- and deep-chested dogs and requires emergency surgery.

Signs may include:

• A swollen or distended abdomen
• Repeated attempts to vomit with little or no production
• Restlessness or pacing
• Signs of abdominal pain
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

What to Do Immediately

• Do not offer food or water.
• Keep your pet as calm and still as possible.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital without delay.

Eye Injuries

Eye injuries should never be ignored because delays in treatment can sometimes result in permanent vision loss.

Signs may include:

• A bulging eye
• Trauma to the eye
• Severe squinting or obvious eye pain
• Blood in or around the eye
• Sudden blindness or vision changes

What to Do Immediately

• Prevent your pet from rubbing or pawing at the affected eye if possible.
• Do not apply ointments or medications unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke, also called overheating, is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate treatment. Arizona temperatures can become dangerous very quickly, especially during the summer months.

Signs may include:

• Excessive panting
• Bright red gums
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Confusion or disorientation
• Collapse
• Seizures

What to Do Immediately

• Move your pet to a cool, shaded area immediately.
• Begin cooling with cool (not ice-cold) water.
• Offer small amounts of cool water only if your pet is alert and able to drink. Never force your pet to drink.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Continue cooling your pet while transporting them to the veterinary hospital.

Colorado River (Sonoran Desert) Toad Poisoning

Licking or mouthing a Colorado River (Sonoran Desert) toad can cause life-threatening poisoning in dogs and cats. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary care.

Signs may include:

• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Bright red gums
• Pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Crying or vocalizing
• Disorientation or stumbling
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

What to Do Immediately

• Rinse your pet’s mouth with a gentle stream of cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Keep your pet’s head pointed downward so they do not swallow the water.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately while rinsing your pet’s mouth.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Colorado River (Sonoran Desert) toad poisoning can become life-threatening within minutes. Prompt first aid and immediate veterinary treatment offer the best chance for a successful outcome.

Snake Bite Emergencies

Snake bites are a medical emergency, even if the bite appears minor. If you saw the snake and can safely identify it or already have a photograph, that information may be helpful. However, do not delay veterinary care to identify or capture the snake.

Signs may include:

• Sudden pain or yelping
• Rapid swelling around the bite
• One or more puncture wounds
• Bleeding
• Weakness or collapse
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Lethargy

What to Do Immediately

• Keep your pet as calm and still as possible.
• Carry your pet if it is safe to do so rather than allowing them to walk.
• Do not attempt to capture or handle the snake.
• If you already have a photograph or can safely take one from a distance, it may help with identification. Do not delay transporting your pet to emergency veterinary care to do so.
• Do not apply a tourniquet.
• Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom.
• Do not apply ice or give medications unless instructed by a veterinarian.
• Call Adobe Veterinary Center immediately.
• Transport your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Preparing to Transport Your Pet

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, these steps can help you safely prepare for transportation to the veterinary hospital.

• Call Adobe Veterinary Center before leaving if it is safe to do so.
• If possible, have another person drive so you can monitor your pet during transport.
• Keep dogs on a leash and transport cats in a secure carrier.
• Use a blanket, board, or other firm surface to move pets that cannot walk.
• Even gentle pets may bite when they are frightened or in pain.
• Bring any medications your pet takes, packaging from any suspected toxin, or other helpful information if it is readily available.
• Do not give human medications unless specifically directed by a veterinarian.

Common Emergencies We Treat

During our regular business hours, our veterinary team evaluates and treats many common pet emergencies, including:

• Allergic reactions (severe)
• Bite wounds
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Colorado River (Sonoran Desert) toad poisoning
• Difficulty breathing
• Eye injuries
• Foreign body ingestion
• Heatstroke
• Lacerations
• Poisoning
• Seizures
• Snake bites
• Trauma (hit by a car, fall, or other serious injury)
• Urinary blockages
• Vomiting or diarrhea (severe or persistent)
• Wounds and abscesses

When in Doubt, Call

Not every pet emergency is obvious. Pets often hide pain and illness, making it difficult to know when they need immediate veterinary care. If you are unsure whether your pet is experiencing an emergency, call Adobe Veterinary Center. We are here to help pets and their families throughout Tucson during our regular business hours.

Call Adobe Veterinary Center at (520) 546-8387. During our regular business hours, our team evaluates and treats many emergency conditions. If you call Adobe Veterinary Center after hours, press 1 to be connected directly with Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center for immediate assistance.