First, how urgent is this?
Go now
- Sudden collapse, unable to stand, or no response when called.
- Pale or white gums.
- A seizure, or unable to eat or drink before fully conscious.
- Energy drops suddenly after heat, a car or a closed space.
- No urine at all, or straining in the litter box.
Contact your vet today
- Barely getting up all day, and not interested in food.
- Not eating, not drinking, or not urinating at the same time.
- A pet with known heart, kidney or diabetic disease, clearly flatter than usual.
- On medication, with the change matching the dosing times.
Record and observe
- Tired after a trip out, a change of place or hot weather, recovering with rest and water.
- Flatter for a day or two after a vaccine or worming, then improving.
- Already under vet care: record energy, appetite and drinking each day, and bring it to the next visit.
Before you set off
- When the pet last ate, drank and urinated normally.
- When the low energy started, and whether it was sudden or gradual.
- A short daily record of energy and appetite, and the most recent weight.
- A list of medicines and supplements, with the time of the last dose.
- Any chance it ate medicine, a plant, human food or something from the bin.
- Do not give human medicine or energy drinks, and do not force-feed a flat pet.
What your vet may ask and do
- Ask: when the energy dropped, and whether it was sudden or gradual.
- Ask: any change in appetite, drinking, urination or stool.
- Ask: any chance of a toxin, a swallowed object or a head injury.
- Do: temperature, hydration and circulation assessment.
- Do: blood tests (glucose, electrolytes, liver and kidney values, thyroid).
- Do: X-rays or ultrasound where needed.
- Do: fluids and admission for severe cases.
Where to go in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong 24-hour vet list
- 24-hour emergency, Hong Kong Island
- 24-hour emergency, Kowloon
- 24-hour emergency, New Territories
- Clinics with ultrasound
- Clinics with inpatient care
- What emergency and test fees look like
Call the clinic before you drive over, to confirm tonight's arrangements and the location.