The Complete Pet Emergency Checklist — From Dogwood’s 24/7 Emergency Team

Emergencies don’t announce themselves. The difference between a good outcome and a tragic one often comes down to how quickly and confidently you act. This checklist helps you prepare before an emergency strikes.

Know Your Emergency Vet Before You Need One

☑  Save Dogwood’s number in your phone right now: (404) 609-1234

☑  Know the address: 1234 Powers Ferry Common SE, Marietta, GA 30067

☑  Know the hours: Open 24/7, every day of the year — walk-ins always welcome

☑  Map the fastest route from your home to Dogwood — now, not during a crisis

Know When to Come In Immediately

Go directly to an emergency vet — do not wait — for any of these:

☑  Difficulty breathing, gasping, or choking

☑  Collapse, unresponsiveness, or extreme sudden weakness

☑  Suspected poisoning: grapes, chocolate, xylitol, medications, household chemicals

☑  Seizures — especially lasting more than 2–3 minutes or multiple in one day

☑  Severe trauma: hit by car, fall from height, animal attack

☑  Uncontrolled or severe bleeding

☑  Suspected broken bones or complete inability to bear weight

☑  Eye injuries or sudden vision loss

☑  Suspected urinary blockage — straining with no urine (especially male cats)

☑  Pale, white, or blue gums

☑  Bloated, distended abdomen with distress (possible GDV — life-threatening)

☑  Resting breathing above 30 breaths/minute in a known heart patient

Build a Pet First Aid Kit

☑  Gauze pads and rolls

☑  Self-adhesive bandage wrap (e.g., Vetrap)

☑  Medical tape and blunt-tipped scissors

☑  Sterile saline solution for wound rinsing

☑  Disposable gloves

☑  Digital thermometer (normal: 100–102.5°F for dogs and cats)

☑  Tweezers and a muzzle in your dog’s size

☑  Towel or blanket (warmth + makeshift stretcher)

☑  ASPCA Poison Control saved: (888) 426-4435

Keep Your Pet’s Medical Records Accessible

☑  Current medication list with doses and schedules

☑  Vaccination records (especially rabies certificate)

☑  Primary vet name and phone number

☑  Known allergies or adverse drug reactions

☑  Recent bloodwork or imaging reports

💡  Take photos of your pet’s records and store them in your phone’s photos or a cloud folder — available anywhere, anytime.

During Transport to the ER

☑  Stay calm — your pet picks up on your anxiety

☑  Keep your pet as still as possible; support the spine if trauma is suspected

☑  Apply gentle pressure to bleeding wounds; do NOT give human pain medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are all toxic to pets)

☑  If poisoning: bring the packaging or note the substance, amount, and time of ingestion

☑  Call ahead if possible: (404) 609-1234 — our team can prepare for your arrival

Dogwood is open 24/7, 365 days a year.  No appointment needed for emergencies. 1234 Powers Ferry Common SE, Marietta, GA 30067.