Common puppy emergencies and what to do when they happen

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time. But, if you’re a first-time dog owner, it can also be worrying if your new furry friend finds themselves in trouble.

We spoke to SASH Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian, Dr Tim Hopkins, about the most common puppy emergencies he sees and what you should do in any of these situations.

“Puppies are coming to terms with their new world, and like human babies and toddlers they tend to do this with their mouths,” explains Dr Hopkins. According to the Animal Poisons Helpline, some of the most common toxins they are contacted about are rat bait, garden fertiliser, chocolate, grapes, herbicides and detergents.¹

Intestinal parasites can become a serious problem for pups from as early as 2 weeks of age. Some are transmitted across the placenta or in milk and most parasites will cause vomiting, diarrhoea and a loss of appetite. For young dogs this can be a serious emergency.

“Puppies have a very high surface area to body weight ratio, which means they’re predisposed to dehydration and hypothermia,” Dr Hopkins explains. “Symptoms that wouldn’t pose a risk to an adult dog can be very scary in puppies. For example, if your pup is vomiting, it will take far fewer vomits to make them dehydrated and hypoglycaemic.”

Similarly, diarrhoea can pose a big problem for puppies as it can quickly lead to life-threatening dehydration.

“If your pup has diarrhoea for a prolonged period, they are at risk of developing an intussusception, where one part of the bowel swallows the adjacent segment like a telescope collapsing. This is a surgical emergency.”

A prolapsed rectum, where the last part of the intestine pops outside of the body, is also not uncommon because of severe or prolonged diarrhoea, say Dr Hopkins. “This needs to be quickly addressed with a visit to the vet.”

Electrocution is a fairly common cause for puppies to present to emergency, says Dr Hopkins.

“The damage can be more severe than just oral burns. Fluid on the chest can appear hours later and warrants a stay in emergency. Keep power cords out of reach of sharp little canine teeth.”

As Dr Hopkins mentioned, puppies learn about the world using their mouths and sometimes they find it hard to tell what’s food and what’s not.

Whether they’ve found a household item on the ground and swallowed it or chewed parts off a toy and ingested them, take them to the emergency vet immediately. While some small foreign objects may pass harmlessly through the bowel, the danger of a blockage is very real.

We do everything we can to keep our furry friends safe, but sometimes injuries happen. Taking a tumble down a set of stairs, getting caught in the bars of a crate, or being attacked by another animal are all relatively common. While puppies can usually overcome these sorts of injuries easily, it’s important to take them to the vet to give them the best chance of healing.

Even if you’re unsure if your puppy is having an emergency, it’s best to call your vet for advice. Some of the reasons you might bring your pet to a 24-hour vet emergency department include:

• changes to breathing (faster breathing, breathing harder, panting excessively)
• snake bites
• paralysis ticks
• overheating
• excessive coughing
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• straining to urinate or defecate
• collapsing or severe weakness/fatigue
• paralysis or the inability to move normally
• ingesting poisons
• trauma (such as being hit by a car, falling off a balcony or dog or cat fights)
• vomiting blood
• abdominal bloating or swelling
• distress or drooling after eating a bone or other object
• eating anything not meant to be ingested
• any condition causing excessive or prolonged pain
• eye inflammation or injury
• uncontrolled bleeding
• dilated pupils
• seizures
• inability to walk or loss of balance
• broken bones and open wounds
• blood in stool
• unconsciousness.

For more information about these signs and what to do, visit SASH Vets Emergency Vet Hospital.

If your puppy is unwell or in distress, or you see them eating something they shouldn’t, it’s vital that you seek expert help.

“Dog owners should be vigilant for changes in their puppy’s behaviour and habits. If your pet is looking dull or listless, especially in combination with any vomiting or diarrhoea, they may be dehydrated and require intravenous fluids,” explains Dr Hopkins.