Puppy emergencies
Puppies have almost no reserves: low blood sugar, dehydration and infection can become life-threatening in hours rather than days. An unvaccinated puppy with vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or sudden lethargy is an emergency until a vet says otherwise. The guides below cover the puppy crises that most often turn serious and how to respond.
Guides in this section
When any of these is a go-now emergency
Treat collapse, non-stop vomiting or retching, a swollen hard belly, suspected poisoning, trouble breathing, a seizure lasting more than a few minutes, or heavy bleeding as a call-the-vet-now situation. When in doubt, phone an emergency animal hospital and describe the signs — they will tell you whether to come straight in.
Sources & standards
Emergency guidance follows AVMA, Merck Veterinary Manual, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, and small-animal emergency-medicine standards, reviewed by our veterinary advisory board.