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Every year Southern Cross Pet Insurance supports tens of thousands of pet parents and their furry friends to ensure they can access the healthcare their pets need to stay fit, well and active.

Kerri Murray, Southern Cross Pet Insurance’s very own expert and former vet nurse says, “there are all sorts of reasons to take your pet to the vet, from regular vaccinations and allergy shots to treatment of traumatic injury and illness. But sometimes in the heat of the moment, particularly if your pet seems very unwell, it helps to know what to do and who you might need to see.

“As with humans, pets need different vets for different reasons – your local vet will generally be able do all sorts of things including some surgeries, a little like an experienced family GP, whereas an emergency vet or specialist vet is advisable for treatment of major illness or trauma or things like knee reconstruction.

“Our friends at the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) are encouraging pet owners to keep emergency veterinary clinics for emergencies only, so that pets that need urgent care can be seen as quickly as possible, and those that can wait a while get to see their usual vet. Your family vet has the advantage of knowing your pet’s health record and how your pet will likely respond to treatment. See NZVA’s Think P.E.T. advice below.

Pause. Think for a moment about whether your pet needs emergency care or could be seen by their vet during normal business hours.

Emergency call. Phone your vet clinic for advice if you think your pet needs emergency care or you’re unsure.

Take. Follow the advice you receive to either take your pet to an emergency service provider, or book an appointment during normal business hours.

By following the P.E.T. steps, you can help keep emergency clinics for emergencies only so that very sick animals can get the treatment they need quickly.

But Murray says if your own vet is not open or available and your pet is showing any of the signs or behaviours below, you should give an emergency vet a call and get their advice on next steps:

• Bleeding: Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop within five minutes. If you have tried to bandage the wound to keep it clean and applied pressure to help stop the bleeding, but there’s no change
• Breathing: Difficulty breathing, especially if your pet has a history of respiratory disease or a heart condition
• Vomiting or diarrhoea: Vomiting or diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, or vomiting blood
• Trauma: Being hit by a vehicle, serious dog fights, bite wounds, falling from a significant height
• Seizures: Seizure activity or twitching
• Collapse: Fainting or collapse, especially if your pet is non-responsive
• Inability to urinate: Straining to urinate or not producing urine
• Foreign object ingestion: Ingested foreign objects (e.g. fish hook, glass or toys)
• Toxin ingestion: Suspected exposure to poison, medication, or toxin
• Abnormal gum colour: Pale or blue gums
• Unusual behaviour: Whining, shaking, or refusing to socialise “When your pet is stressed and unwell, it’s likely you will feel anxious too. But getting on the phone and having a quick conversation with an expert on what you can and should do next, is the best plan.”