When your pet has a medical emergency, every minute feels overwhelming. One of the most important things you can do is get them safely to the veterinary emergency hospital. Before rushing out the door, a few simple steps can help stabilize your pet, reduce stress, and make transport safer.

General Tips Before Transport

• Stay calm – Your pet can sense your stress, and sudden movements may make injuries worse.

• Call ahead – If possible, call the ER to let them know you’re coming. This helps the team prepare for your arrival.

• Keep your pet warm and secure – Use blankets or towels to prevent heat loss and keep them comfortable.

• Minimize movement – Gently place your pet in a crate, on a blanket, or on a flat surface to avoid further injury.

If Your Pet Has Trauma (like being hit by a car or a large fall from a height)

• Control bleeding – Apply firm, gentle pressure with a clean towel or bandage.

• Limit movement – Avoid letting your pet walk, even if they seem able to. Carry them if you can.

• Support fractures or spine injuries – Place them on a firm surface (like a board, baking sheet, or large piece of cardboard) so they don’t bend or twist during transport.

• Breathing trouble – If your pet is struggling to breathe, try to keep them upright or in a position that makes breathing easiest. Don’t place anything tight around the chest.

If Your Pet is Having Seizures

• Do not put your hands near their mouth – Pets may bite unintentionally while seizing.

• Keep them safe – Move furniture or objects away so they can’t hurt themselves.

• Time the seizure – Seizures that last longer than 5 minutes, or multiple seizures close together, are life-threatening emergencies.

• After the seizure – Your pet may be disoriented, blind, or anxious. Keep the environment quiet, dark, and calm.

In Case of Foreign Body or Toxin Ingestion:

• Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home

• Call the clinic or register online, and enquire if you should call the ASPCA Poison hotline - our team may not require this step for many common toxicants

• If instructed, please call ASPCA Poison Hotline and follow their instructions. Once you have completed your consultation with them, they will provide you with a case number. Please bring this case number with you to the ER so your veterinarian can consult with the toxicologist.

Final Thoughts

In an emergency, your job is not to fix the problem—that’s the ER team’s role. Your most important job is to keep your pet safe, minimize stress and movement, and get them to the hospital as quickly as possible.

If you’re ever unsure, call the ER on your way—they can walk you through the safest steps for your pet’s situation.