New Delhi, May 27 -- Recently, I got a message from a worried dog owner. Their Labrador had vomited twice after dinner and now looked "sad". It was 10pm, and the family was unsure whether to rush to the vet or wait till morning. While we were discussing it, another family was driving in with their dog, who had been unsuccessfully trying to vomit for hours. That dog had gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat, a life-threatening condition where every minute matters.

Many emergencies start subtly. Others look dramatic but are less urgent than they seem. In some situations, knowing the difference can save a life.

One of the quickest ways to judge urgency is breathing. A pet struggling to breathe is an emergency. Signs include exaggerated che...