10 Signs a Dog Is Sick & Needs To Go to the Emergency Vet
Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Your Rover dog is known for clearing the room with his farts and running around in circles. But suddenly he’s drinking water as though he’s lost in the desert and promptly throws up in the living room.
Although as a sitter you know every dog is different and their care will vary, it’s important to recognize the little signs that can make a big difference in the health and safety of a pet, and when to take them seriously.
When you’re caring for someone else’s dog, it can be hard to know whether a symptom is a minor upset or a true emergency. To help you feel more prepared, we’ve rounded up 10 important symptoms that warrant a call to the owner—and in some cases, a trip to the emergency vet.
1. Difficulty Breathing
If your Rover dog seems like they’re working hard just to breathe, don’t wait to see if it gets better. Breathing problems can become serious very quickly.
While it’s normal for dogs to pant after a walk or a game of fetch, if they are gasping for air, wheezing, or struggling to catch their breath, it’s a serious signs that something is wrong.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Heavy panting that doesn’t improve with rest
- Gasping, wheezing, or struggling to catch their breath
- Coughing or choking
- Blue, gray, or pale gums or tongue
- Loud, raspy breathing sounds
- Excessive chest or belly movement while breathing
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
2. Continuous Vomiting or Diarrhea
Most dogs experience an upset stomach at some point. But if your Rover dog can’t seem to keep anything down, is having repeated vomiting episodes, or starts showing other signs of illness, it’s time to take things more seriously.
Ongoing vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration quickly and may point to a more serious underlying health issue.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Multiple episodes within a few hours
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Inability to keep water down
- Severe lethargy or weakness
- Repeated dry heaving or attempted vomiting without anything coming up
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry gums or sunken eyes
- Vomiting combined with a swollen abdomen
3. Difficulty Urinating
Does your Rover dog keep asking to go outside but can’t seem to pee or only produces a few drops at a time? Difficulty urinating can be a sign of a urinary blockage or other serious medical issue.
Because toxins can build up in the body when urine can’t pass normally, this situation can become life-threatening very quickly.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Repeated attempts to urinate with little or no urine produced
- Straining, crying, or showing signs of pain while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Vomiting or sudden lethargy
4. A Swollen or Bloated Abdomen
If your Rover dog’s belly suddenly looks larger than normal or feels unusually tight, it can indicate a life-threatening condition called bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), internal bleeding, or other serious medical issues.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Sudden abdominal enlargement
- Unsuccessful attempts to vomit (dry heaving), sometimes resulting in white froth
- Restlessness or pacing
- Excessive drooling
- Signs of pain when touching the belly
- Pale gums
- Weakness or collapse
Large, deep-chested breeds are more prone to bloat, such as:
- Great Danes
- Standard Poodles
- German Shepherds
- Weimaraners
- Irish Setters
- Saint Bernards
- Doberman Pinschers
- Bloodhounds
- Boxers
- Irish Wolfhounds
5. Sudden Collapse or Weakness
Seeing a dog collapse can be frightening, especially when you’re responsible for their care. Sudden weakness, fainting, or being unable to stand is never something to ignore and should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to stand or walk
- Falling to the ground
- Severe weakness or limp body
- Disorientation or confusion
- Pale or white gums
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
6. Major Trauma or Injury
Sometimes the most serious injuries are the ones you can’t see. If a dog in your care has been struck by a vehicle, taken a hard fall, attacked by another animal, or suffered another significant injury, don’t assume they’re in the clear just because they’re still walking around. They should still be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Hit by a vehicle
- Falls from significant heights
- Deep cuts or wounds
- Heavy bleeding
- Suspected broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Bite wounds
- Difficulty walking
- Signs of pain, shock, or distress
7. Possible Poisoning
If there’s one thing most dogs have in common, it’s a talent for eating things they shouldn’t. From medications and cleaning products to chocolate, gum (which contains xylitol), and certain plants, many everyday items can be toxic to dogs.
If you know or even suspect that a dog has ingested something poisonous, take them to the emergency vet right away.
In some cases, prompt treatment within the first few hours can make a big difference. Your veterinarian may be able to induce vomiting to help reduce the amount of the toxic substance absorbed by the body.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Known or suspected ingestion of a toxic substance
- Vomiting or diarrhea after exposure
- Tremors or shaking
- Excessive drooling
- Hyperactivity
- Sudden lethargy or collapse
- Pale gums or abnormal breathing
8. Suspected Foreign Object Ingestion
Dogs have a knack for turning everyday objects into snacks or chew toys. Toys, socks, bones, corn cobs, and even pieces of clothing can become lodged in the digestive tract, causing a potentially life-threatening blockage. If you saw the dog swallow a non-food item—or suspect they did—it’s best to take them to the emergency vet.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Repeated vomiting
- Loss of appetite or refusing to eat
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Straining to pass stool
- Sudden lethargy
9. Seizures
Seeing a dog have a seizure can be scary, especially if you’ve never seen one before. Some dogs may fall over, paddle their legs, stiffen their body, drool, or make involuntary chewing motions. Others may appear disoriented, stare into space, or seem temporarily unaware of their surroundings.
While some dogs have a known history of seizures, a first-time seizure, a seizure lasting more than a few minutes, or multiple seizures in a short period of time should be treated as an emergency.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Collapsing
- Rigidity followed by paddling their legs (may look like they’re “swimming”)
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- First-time seizure
- Seizure lasting more than five minutes
- Multiple seizures within a few hours
- Loss of consciousness
10. Heatstroke
Heatstroke can sneak up on a dog faster than most people expect, especially on hot days, during walks or trips to the dog park, or if they’re stuck in a poorly ventilated space. What might start as heavy panting can quickly turn into a true emergency if the dog can’t cool down.
Signs to seek emergency care:
- Excessive panting that doesn’t improve
- Bright red gums
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weakness, stumbling, or disorientation
- Collapse
- Body temperature above 105°F, if known
Communication & Support
When something feels “off” with a dog in your care, don’t second-guess yourself or try to handle it alone. The first step is always to check in with the dog’s owner and clearly describe what you’re seeing, whether that’s vomiting, unusual behavior, breathing changes, or anything else that doesn’t seem normal for the dog.
Sometimes owners can confirm whether a symptom is normal, but if anything feels urgent or severe, don’t wait for a response before acting.
It’s also a good idea to have an emergency plan in place before any booking starts. Ideally, each client should provide their preferred emergency vet location ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to find that information in a stressful moment.
If the client doesn’t provide any emergency info—or if symptoms are escalating quickly—head to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic and contact the owner as soon as possible.
If you’re unsure what to do or need immediate guidance, Rover Support is available 24/7 at 888-727-1140 to help connect you with resources and walk you through next steps. In a true emergency, trust what you’re seeing, act quickly, and reach out for support right away.
