Emergency Veterinary Care For Your Pet

We are equipped to manage a wide range of emergency cases for pets — including poisoning, bites, falls, cuts, fractures, breathing difficulties, inability to eat, seizures, and emergency C-sections.

At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery in Yishun and Thomson, our experienced veterinarians and nurses provide critical emergency vet services for a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more.

Pet emergencies can arise at any time, so we offer extended operating hours to accommodate urgent situations, ensuring reliable emergency vet care in Singapore. In Upper Thomson, we are open from 10am to 5pm and 8pm to 11pm on weekdays, and from 7pm to 11pm on weekends. In Yishun, our vet clinic is open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Kindly note that additional charges apply for after-hours consultations — i.e. after 9.30pm at Upper Thomson, or after 6pm at Yishun.

Our dedicated veterinary team offers comprehensive and compassionate emergency vet care in Singapore, with advanced diagnostic tools and a fully equipped surgery room to ensure exceptional care for your pet.  

If a patient is hospitalised, overnight or 24-hour monitoring by trained veterinary nurses is available as an option, at an additional charge. Learn more about our in-patient hospitalisation care for pets.

Common Pet Emergencies

Here are some common cases that might constitute emergencies in dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets:

Respiratory issues

Overview

Respiratory problems can arise suddenly, posing a serious risk to your pet’s health. Watch for the following symptoms:

• Choking
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden collapse

What To Do

1. Stay calm and assess the situation.
2. Check for obstructions. Gently remove visible objects if it is safe to do so.
3. Contact a vet immediately. Call us at 88914417 (Upper Thomson) or 88090787 (Yishun), or the nearest emergency vet.
4. Do not force your pet to eat or drink. This could worsen their condition.
5. Prepare for CPR if necessary. Knowing basic pet CPR techniques may be useful until help arrives.

Trauma

Overview

Traumatic injuries in pets can result from:

• Falls, especially falling from height
• Bites, such as from fights
• Severe cuts or wounds
• Hit by a car

What To Do

1. Control bleeding. Apply gentle but firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Avoid putting excessive pressure, especially over any protruding fractures or sharp objects embedded in the wound.
2. Immobilise your pet. Limit movement to prevent further injuries.
3. Call a vet or pet ER immediately to report the situation and get instructions. Call us at 88914417 (Upper Thomson) or 88090787 (Yishun), or the nearest emergency vet.
4. Transport carefully. Use a flat surface or sturdy carrier to minimise movement during transit.

Digestive problems

Severe digestive emergencies can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Look out for the following signs:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhoea
• Inability to eat or drink
• Not eating for 12 hours or more: for rabbits and guinea pigs
• Straining to defecate
• Bloat (gastric dilation-volvulus): primarily occurs in dogs
• Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis: common in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas
• Pseudocolic impaction: common in rabbits

What To Do

1. Monitor symptoms. Note down the frequency and severity of vomiting or diarrhoea, as well as the colour, consistency, and any presence of blood.
2. Restrict food intake. Allow your pet’s stomach to settle, but provide fresh water to prevent dehydration.
3. Contact a vet. Severe cases such as bloat in dogs require urgent care at a veterinary emergency facility.
4. Avoid home remedies. Over-the-counter medications for humans and other home remedies can worsen the condition without proper diagnosis.

Learn more about gastrointestinal issues.

Poisoning

Overview

In pets, a poisoning emergency can result from:

• Ingesting substances toxic to pets, such as chocolate, human medicines, etc.
• Ingesting toxic plants such as lilies, peony, aloe vera, philodendron, etc.
• Rodenticide poisoning: ingesting rat poison
• Exposure to fertiliser or pesticide

Common signs of poisoning include:

• Vomiting or drooling
• Tremors or seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale or blue gums
• Lethargy

What To Do

1. Identify the toxin. Check for signs of ingestion, such as chewed packaging, spilled substances, or nearby plants.
2. Do not induce vomiting. Without veterinary guidance, this could cause more harm.
3. Call a vet immediately. Share details about the substance ingested, such as the substance name, amount ingested, and time of ingestion. Call us at 88914417 (Upper Thomson) or 88090787 (Yishun), or the nearest emergency vet.
4. Transport safely. Bring the packaging of the toxin or a sample of the substance (safely stored) to help the emergency vet clinic with faster diagnosis and treatment.

Urinary issues

Urinary problems can develop rapidly and pose serious risks to your pet’s life.

Male cats are prone to urinary blockages. Female cats and female dogs can also experience severe urinary issues like infections or bladder stones.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Blood in urine
• Straining to urine
• Sudden frequent trips to the litter box
• Crying while peeing
• Licking the genital area excessively

What To Do

1. Monitor behaviour. Note any changes in urination patterns or discomfort.
2. Prevent further stress. Keep your pet calm and in a quiet area.
3. Call a vet. Blockages, particularly in male cats, can be life-threatening and require immediate care at an emergency vet in Singapore. Call us at 88914417 (Upper Thomson) or 88090787 (Yishun), or the nearest pet ER if we are not immediately reachable.
4. Offer fresh water. Provide hydration until veterinary care is available (unless vomiting is present).
5. Avoid delays. Timely intervention is crucial to prevent kidney damage, ruptured bladders, and other serious conditions.

Neurological issues

Overview

Neurological problems such as brain injury, spinal cord injuries, strokes, epilepsy, nerve disorders, or exposure to toxins can have a severe impact on your pet’s health.

Be alert for these signs:

• Seizures
• Sudden paralysis or weakness
• Head tilting
• Disorientation, loss of balance
• Twitching or tremors
• Unusual eye movements
• Confusion or sudden aggression

What To Do

1. Ensure safety. Clear the area of hazards to prevent injury during a seizure. Prevent falls by blocking off staircases or elevated areas.
2. Do not restrain your pet. Let the seizure run its course while keeping them safe.
3. Time the seizure. Seizures lasting over 5 minutes are critical and require immediate veterinary attention. Tracking seizure duration also helps vets diagnose and treat the underlying issue.
4. Minimise movement: In cases of paralysis or suspected spinal injuries, avoid dragging or lifting your pet by their limbs, and restrict activity.
5. Support carefully: If you are transporting your pet, use a rigid, flat surface like a board to gently lift them and keep their spine aligned. Support their entire body evenly.
6. Contact the vet promptly. Seek care at a veterinary emergency facility as soon as possible. Even if a seizure resolves quickly, follow-up care is important to identify potential causes and prevent recurrence.
7. Record a video of the behaviour: Showing the vet a video of the behaviour (such as head tilt or circling) may help with diagnosis.

Heatstroke

Overview

In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, your pet may be prone to overheating due to excessive heat exposure. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and delaying treatment can lead to irreversible organ damage or death.

Signs of heatstroke include:

• Excessive panting or drooling
• Vomiting
• Lethargy or collapse
• Bright red or pale gums

What To Do

1. Move your pet to a cooler area. Provide shade or an air-conditioned space.
2. Offer cool (not ice-cold) water. Encourage small sips to rehydrate. Avoid excessive drinking, which can lead to vomiting.
3. Cool your pet gradually. Use a damp cloth on their paws, belly, and groin, but avoid ice packs. Use a fan to help with the evaporative cooling effect.
4. Call a vet immediately. Heatstroke can lead to organ failure without urgent care at an emergency vet.

Other emergencies

Overview

Some emergencies don’t fit specific categories but are equally critical. Look out for these situations:

• Severe bleeding
• Eye injuries
• Fractures or broken bones
• Emergency C-section: Pregnant pets can experience complications that require immediate medical attention

The list above is by no means exhaustive. Other emergencies can occur. 

If you have concerns about a potential emergency, contact us right away:

• Upper Thomson vet clinic: WhatsApp 8891 4417 or call 6250 3375.
• Yishun vet clinic: WhatsApp 8809 0787 or call 6322 7913.

If we are not responding quickly enough, please reach out to other emergency vet clinics or animal hospitals near you.

What Is The Emergency Process?

Please understand that in the event of multiple emergencies, the most critical cases will be treated first. This is known as triage and is a standard procedure in emergency care for both humans and animals at any clinic or hospital.

Triaging is a system used to determine the order in which patients are treated based on the severity of their condition. In a veterinary emergency, our team will quickly assess your pet’s condition to prioritise care accordingly. This means that pets with life-threatening injuries or illnesses will be seen first. 

We understand that this can be stressful for you and your furry or feathered kid, but rest assured that all patients will receive due attention.

In some cases, due to high patient volume or limited resources, we may need to refer your pet to a specialist or recommend seeking care at another vet clinic or emergency animal hospital that is equipped to handle the patient’s specific needs. This may happen, for example, if we are facing multiple emergencies or happen to be short-staffed that day.

Please feel free to reach out to other animal hospitals or emergency vet clinics near you if we are not responding quickly enough to your calls or WhatsApp messages. We seek your understanding that walk-ins may involve waiting time and that we might unfortunately not be able to take on every walk-in emergency case, especially on exceptionally busy nights.

Our goal is to ensure your pet receives the best possible care. Sometimes, this means collaborating with other veterinary professionals or directing you to a facility that has the capacity to handle the current volume of patients.

24-Hour Monitoring for Hospitalised Patients

Even when it is outside of our clinic’s operating hours, we still offer round-the-clock or overnight monitoring by trained vet nurses for pets who are hospitalised. 

This option is available for pets requiring additional monitoring or those experiencing anxiety during the night. It provides an extra layer of reassurance and ensures your pet receives immediate attention if needed. During this time, a veterinarian will also be on-call.

Emergency and Critical Care

If your pet needs critical care, immediate treatment may be required for a successful recovery. At Paws N’ Claws, we recognise how stressful any kind of emergency can be for both pets and their owners. Our emergency vet clinics in Yishun and Upper Thomson are fully equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, surgical suites, and professionally trained staff—ready to handle any veterinary emergency case that comes our way.

Whether it’s a late-night visit for urgent care or quick intervention during the day, we strive to provide the highest level of support.

As your trusted emergency vet in Singapore, you can count on us to ensure your furry, feathered, or scaled companion receives the care they need when it matters most.

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While we strive to provide the best possible care, preventing emergencies is always best. Regular health checkups, vaccinations, and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected health crises.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or are facing an emergency that requires a visit to a cat or dog hospital near you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, we welcome all animals — including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, birds, and other exotic species. 

Note: We understand that bringing your pet to an emergency vet can be a stressful experience. To ensure that we provide the best veterinary care for all patients, we kindly request that everyone treats our staff with respect. Your cooperation helps us maintain a calm and Fear-Free environment for your pet and all our other patients. Thank you!

Have a question? WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).

Alternatively, please fill in the form below to send us a query.