What to Do in a Pet Emergency Over the Holiday Period

Admin Team
Owner comforting their pet during a veterinary emergency.

The festive season is full of excitement, family gatherings, and delicious food, but it can also bring unexpected risks for our furry family members. With many local vet clinics closed or operating on limited hours over Christmas and New Year, knowing what to do in a pet emergency can make all the difference.

 

Here’s your step-by-step guide to staying calm, acting quickly, and ensuring your pet gets the care they need over the holidays.

 

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Emergencies are stressful, but your pet will take cues from your behaviour. Staying calm helps you think clearly and respond safely.


Start by assessing the situation:

Check breathing and consciousness — is your pet alert or responsive?

Look for visible injuries — bleeding, swelling, or limping.

Notice changes in behaviour — panting, hiding, whining, or aggression can signal pain.

 

If your pet appears stable, keep them still and quiet while you call a vet for advice. Avoid giving food, water, or medication unless instructed. For severe bleeding, poisoning, collapse, or seizures, move to your nearest emergency vet immediately.

 

Contact Your Nearest Emergency Vet

If your pet is in distress, don’t wait, contact your closest 24-hour emergency vet. Even during public holidays, emergency hospitals are open around the clock to provide critical care.

 

Tip: Save your nearest emergency clinic’s phone number in your phone now, so you’re not searching online in a panic later.

 

When you call, describe your pet’s symptoms as clearly as possible. The emergency team can guide you through what to do next and prepare for your arrival if urgent treatment is needed.

 

Keep Your Pet Safe During Transport

Transporting an injured or unwell pet can be tricky, so take care to keep them secure and comfortable.

 

Use a towel or blanket to lift small animals or support injuries.

Place cats in a sturdy carrier.

Keep dogs restrained safely in your car with minimal movement.

 

Avoid loud noises or sudden motions. Calm driving helps reduce your pet’s anxiety and risk of further injury.

 

Common Holiday Pet Emergencies

Christmas can be a dangerous time for pets, with plenty of tempting treats and festive hazards around the home. Some of the most common emergencies we see include:


Toxic foods: Chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, and xylitol (sugar-free sweetner) can all be poisonous.
Cooked bones and fatty leftovers: These can cause choking, blockages, or pancreatitis.
Poisonous plants: Lilies and poinsettias are unsafe if ingested.
Stress and noise: Guests, fireworks, and travel can cause anxiety, escape attempts, or accidents. It is important to make sure you have your pets microchip details up to date in case this happens.

 

Keep decorations, food, and chemicals out of reach, and provide a quiet retreat for your pet away from the noise and commotion.

 

Plan Ahead Before the Holidays

Preparation is the best way to prevent panic in an emergency. Before the festivities begin:

Save your local emergency vet’s number and address in your phone.

Note your regular clinic’s holiday hours.

Keep a basic pet first aid kit handy with bandages, saline, and gauze.

Have a record of your pet’s medications and medical history accessible.

 

If you’re travelling with your pet, research emergency vet clinics near your destination and pack extra medication in case of delays.

 

FAQs: Pet Emergencies Over Christmas

1. What are the signs of a pet emergency?
Difficulty breathing, collapse, continuous vomiting, seizures, or sudden changes in behaviour all require urgent veterinary attention.


2. Can I give my pet human medicine to help?
No. Many human medications are toxic to pets. Never give pain relief or other treatments unless directed by a vet.

 

3. What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?
Call your nearest emergency vet immediately. If possible, take the packaging or a photo of what they ate to help the vet identify the toxin.

 

4. Should I wait and see if my pet gets better?
In most cases, it’s safer to seek advice right away. Early treatment often leads to better outcomes.

 

We’re Here to Help

At Yass Valley Veterinary, your pet’s safety is always our priority. While our team takes a short break over the holiday period, we want you to feel confident knowing help is always available.

 

Stay calm, act quickly, and remember that emergency vets are available 24/7 to help your pet when they need it most.

 

From all of us at Yass Valley Veterinary, we wish you and your furry family a safe and joyful Christmas season.

Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.
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