Henri & Mizzy Sign in

Senior care

When to call the vet

Emergencies and same-day calls, in one place.

Go to the vet or ER now

  • Trouble breathing, or gums that look pale, white or blue1,2,3
  • Sudden collapse, weakness, or can’t use the back legs or stand1,2
  • A seizure — especially a first one, a cluster, or one lasting over 5 minutes1,3
  • A swollen belly with retching that brings nothing up1,2
  • Straining to pee, or no urine1
  • Head tilt, falling over, or rapid flicking eye movements2
  • Not eating or drinking and painful or lethargic2
  • A squinting, red or suddenly cloudy eye — glaucoma can cause blindness quickly1,4
  • Repeated vomiting or diarrhea within a day, especially with blood, lethargy or refusal to eat1
  • Progressive weakness, or unusual bleeding or bruising2
  • Heatstroke1

Call the vet today

  • A cough (especially at night) or more effort breathing at rest3,2
  • Collapsing during exercise2
  • Drinking and peeing much more than usual2
  • Sudden weight loss5

When in doubt, call. Your emergency hospital’s number lives in the care team list.

Sources

  1. When to Go to the ER — Aly Cohen, DVM — Cornell Riney Canine Health Center
  2. Your Senior Pet From Head to Toe (client handout) — American Animal Hospital Association
  3. Common Emergencies in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
  4. Glaucoma in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
  5. Senior Pets (client brochure, 2023) — American Veterinary Medical Association

Sources checked September 2026. This guide is general education, not veterinary advice for a specific dog.