Emergency — phone the vet now Within 1 hour for stabilisation

Recognising and managing shock in dogs and cats

Shock is a circulatory collapse that kills — pale gums, weak pulse, fast breathing, cold extremities; keep warm, lay flat, head slightly low, and drive to the vet now.

Dog Cat

Recognise the signs

Pale, white, or muddy gums
Capillary refill time slow (over 2 seconds)
Weak, fast pulse
Cold paws, ears, and tail
Fast, shallow breathing
Weakness, wobbliness, collapse
Glassy, distant stare
Dilated pupils
Reduced or absent urine output

First aid steps

Phone the emergency vet immediately.
Lay the pet flat on its side on a firm surface.
If there is no head or chest injury suspected, raise the back end slightly (folded towel under the rump) to encourage blood flow back to the heart.
Cover with a blanket — keep warm, but do not overheat or use direct hot water bottles.
Control any external bleeding with firm pressure on a clean cloth or gauze.
Do not give food or water.
Carry rather than walk the pet to the car.

Do NOT

Do not warm aggressively with hot water bottles — risk of burns and rewarming shock.
Do not give food, water, or any oral medication.
Do not waste time at home looking for causes — get to the vet.
Do not assume an alert-looking pet with pale gums is fine — shock can compensate briefly before crashing.
Do not raise the head end — keep the head level or slightly low to maintain brain perfusion.

While transporting to the vet

Keep wrapped, lying flat, head slightly lower than body if conscious and not vomiting.
Continue pressure on any bleeding.
Phone ahead — IV fluids, oxygen, and emergency drugs prepared.
Have a passenger monitor breathing and pulse if at all possible.

When to phone the vet immediately

Any pet with pale gums, weak pulse, and cold extremities
Collapse or unresponsiveness
Suspected internal bleeding (e.g. distended belly after trauma, in older large-breed dogs)
Anaphylaxis or sepsis suspected
Capillary refill time over 2 seconds

Common causes

Severe blood loss — trauma, internal bleeding from splenic mass, rodenticide poisoning
Severe dehydration — vomiting, diarrhoea, heat stroke
Sepsis — overwhelming infection (pyometra, peritonitis, severe pneumonia)
Anaphylaxis
Severe heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia
Severe burns
Bloat / GDV (dogs)
Saddle thrombus (cats)

What the vet will need to know

Suspected cause if known (trauma, recent illness, possible toxin)
Time signs started
Gum colour and capillary refill if you have checked
Breathing rate and effort
Any bleeding noted
Recent medical history and medications
Time of last food and water

Aftercare

Treatment includes IV fluids (often warmed), oxygen, blood transfusion if needed, and treatment of the underlying cause.
Hospitalisation typically 24–72 hours minimum.
Repeat bloodwork and vitals over the next 1–2 weeks.
Recovery depends entirely on the underlying cause — early presentation dramatically improves outcomes.

Prevention

Treat any sudden severe illness — repeated vomiting, severe diarrhoea, trauma — as urgent rather than wait-and-see.
Manage chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, Addison's) consistently.
Microchip and ID tag — lost pets in shock are often found late.
Keep emergency vet number saved and route mapped.
Take a Pet First Aid course — recognising shock early genuinely saves lives.

Breed-specific notes

Splenic mass rupture: large/giant breed older dogs (German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador).
Cardiac collapse: Cavalier, Doberman, Boxer, large/giant breeds.
Saddle thrombus: cats with cardiomyopathy, especially Maine Coon and Ragdoll.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check my pet's capillary refill time at home?

Yes — press a fingertip on the gum just above an upper canine tooth, release, and count how long the colour takes to return. Under 2 seconds is normal; over 2 seconds suggests poor circulation. Practice on a healthy day so you know what normal looks like.

Why raise the back end and not the head?

Raising the head reduces blood flow to the brain. Slightly raising the back end (the 'shock position') encourages blood to return to the heart and brain. Avoid this if there is any suspected head or chest injury, in which case keep the pet flat.

How long does shock take to kill?

It depends on the cause and the pet's reserves — minutes for severe haemorrhage or anaphylaxis, hours for sepsis or untreated dehydration. The earlier shock is recognised and treated, the better the outcome.