Vet Directory & Emergency Contacts
National poison hotlines, 24-hour emergency clinics, and clear guidance on when to act immediately versus monitoring at home.
National Poison Hotlines
Available around the clock. Call before you're in a crisis so you know who to reach.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Consultation fee may apply. The most widely cited animal poison control resource in North America.
Pet Poison Helpline
Per-incident fee. Staffed by board-certified veterinary toxicologists and pharmacists.
AVMA Emergency Resources
American Veterinary Medical Association. Can refer you to local emergency clinics and specialists.
Go now vs. monitor at home
When in doubt, call a hotline first. These are general guidelines โ a vet's guidance always takes priority.
Go to emergency care now
- Seizures, tremors, or muscle twitching
- Difficulty breathing, gasping, or blue gums
- Collapse or sudden inability to stand
- Uncontrolled vomiting or bloody diarrhea
- Suspected ingestion of a known toxic substance (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, etc.)
- Pale, white, or yellow-tinged gums
- Extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
- Swollen or distended abdomen
May be safe to monitor at home
- Single mild vomiting episode with no other symptoms
- Brief, self-resolving diarrhea after a dietary change
- Ate a small amount of a low-risk food (e.g. a bite of plain apple)
- Minor skin irritation without swelling
- Mild lethargy lasting less than an hour after minor stress
Tips for a pet emergency
Small actions taken quickly can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Call first, drive second
Before rushing to the ER, call a poison hotline. Toxicologists can confirm severity, advise on safe home monitoring, and alert the clinic so they're ready when you arrive.
Bring the label or food
If your pet ate a packaged product, bring the wrapper. If it was a plant or human food, take a photo. Exact ingredients help the vet calculate dose and risk faster.
Time matters with toxins
Many toxic compounds are most treatable within the first 1โ2 hours. Don't wait to see if symptoms appear โ proactive treatment is almost always safer.
Never induce vomiting without guidance
Inducing vomiting can worsen some poisonings (e.g. caustics, petroleum products). Always check with a vet or poison control before attempting it.
Finding a local emergency clinic
National directories and large emergency hospital networks open nights, weekends, and holidays.
Find a 24-hour emergency clinic
Search "emergency vet near me" or visit the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society directory at veccs.org to find VECCS-certified emergency facilities in your region.
veccs.orgVCA Emergency Hospitals
VCA operates 24/7 emergency animal hospitals across the US and Canada. Use their hospital locator to find the nearest location.
vcahospitals.comBluePearl Pet Hospital
BluePearl runs specialty and emergency hospitals in major metro areas. Their clinics are open nights, weekends, and holidays.
bluepearlvet.comPrevention is the best protection
Knowing which foods are safe before your pet gets into them is the first line of defense. Browse our full toxicity database, reviewed by veterinary toxicologists.