Signs of Pet Emergency

  • Cat with open-mouth breathing
  • Blue, purple, yellow, or pale gums and tongue
  • Trouble breathing and/or severe coughing
  • Severe bleeding
  • Small pin point or large bruising
  • Ingestion of a foreign body
  • Trauma (car accident, fall, attack, etc.)
  • Deep cuts

  • Signs of extreme discomfort
  • Acute lameness
  • Eye trauma or acute blindness
  • Inability to move legs or weakness of limbs
  • Bloated or painful abdomen
  • Distended or painful abdomen
  • Difficulty urinating or urinating blood
  • Severe vomiting, diarrhea, or unproductive vomiting

  • Seizures or tremors
  • Unusual and erratic behavior
  • Sudden collapse
  • Diabetic emergencies
  • Uncontrollable itching, hives, and/or allergic reactions
  • Neonatal emergencies
  • Suspect poisoning or toxicities (rat bait, anti-freeze, medication, etc.) ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
  • Difficulty delivering puppies or kittens

  • Cat with open-mouth breathing
  • Blue, purple, yellow, or pale gums and tongue
  • Trouble breathing and/or severe coughing
  • Severe bleeding
  • Small pin point or large bruising
  • Ingestion of a foreign body
  • Trauma (car accident, fall, attack, etc.)
  • Deep cuts
  • Signs of extreme discomfort
  • Acute lameness
  • Eye trauma or acute blindness
  • Inability to move legs or weakness of limbs
  • Bloated or painful abdomen
  • Distended or painful abdomen
  • Difficulty urinating or urinating blood
  • Severe vomiting, diarrhea, or unproductive vomiting
  • Seizures or tremors
  • Unusual and erratic behavior
  • Sudden collapse
  • Diabetic emergencies
  • Uncontrollable itching, hives, and/or allergic reactions
  • Neonatal emergencies
  • Suspect poisoning or toxicities (rat bait, anti-freeze, medication, etc.) ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
  • Difficulty delivering puppies or kittens

Our Triage Rule

Our veterinary emergency center treats the most critically ill or seriously injured patients first. Upon arrival at SAVS, all pets are triaged by our experienced medical staff. Pets with emergencies are seen as they arrive at SAVS and served based on the severity of the condition or injury. If your pet has life-threatening needs, they will be seen immediately.

Priority One

May survive with immediate life-saving measures

  • Seizure
  • Allergic reaction
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Heat stroke
  • Open fracture
  • Paralysis
  • Poisoning

Priority Two

Likely to survive with appropriate care within hours of incident

  • Vomiting
  • Chronic coughing
  • Urinary Tract problems
  • Birthing difficulties
  • Closed fracture
  • Bowel obstruction

Priority Three

Non-life-threatening conditions

  • Abscess
  • Chronic diseases
  • Lameness
  • Minor wounds
  • Skin conditions
  • Sore eye/ears
  • Sneezing
  • Lumps
  • Hair loss

At Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center we are happy to provide a wide range of veterinary specialty and emergency services. We understand that pet emergencies are stressful and worrisome for families. That’s why our team aims to make things as simple as possible. For more information, get in touch with one of our experts today at 520-888-3177.