Collapse

There are a wide variety of illnesses that may cause a pet to collapse. Collapse, particularly if it includes weakness, trouble walking, difficulty breathing, pale gums, or cough is always an emergency. Many causes of collapse are life-threatening and need prompt medical or surgical care as soon as possible.

Collapse that follows coughing and/or trouble breathing is likely due to heart or lung disease. In these cases, pets may not only collapse, they may also have a blue color to their gums or tongue. A pet with these signs needs oxygen and proper medical attention immediately.

Collapse in a pet that has been exposed to rat bait is due to blood loss into the chest and abdominal cavity. These pets usually have pale whitish gums and trouble breathing. Affected animals can be successfully treated with Vitamin K and blood transfusions. Seeking veterinary care promptly is key to their survival.

Collapse associated with a distended belly can be due to bleeding into the abdomen from an tumor, heart failure that is causing fluid to accumulate in the abdomen, or a twisted/bloated stomach. These problems are life threatening but in many cases they can be managed with aggressive medical care.

Collapse in which the pet completely loses consciousness may be due to a heart arrhythmia. These pets require an ECG and potentially an echocardiogram to evaluate the health of their heart. A pet with an arrhythmia is at risk for dying with little or no warning, therefore proper cardiac evaluation and monitoring is essential.