If you think your pet is in danger right now, the first thing to do is call. In Cantabria you have a 24-hour veterinary emergency service in Somo, very close to Santander, where a team is ready to help you at any time of the day or night. The emergency phone number is 722 61 44 10: keep it within reach and use it whenever you are unsure, because in an emergency every minute counts and a call lets us prepare to receive your animal.
This guide is meant for those uncertain moments when you cannot tell whether what is happening to your dog or cat is truly serious. Here you will learn to recognise an emergency, what to do at home while you head to the clinic, what to avoid and how to get there as fast as possible. It does not replace a professional assessment: when in the slightest doubt, call.
When is it a veterinary emergency?
An emergency is any situation in which your pet's life is at risk or in which a delay in care can have serious, irreversible consequences. It is not always obvious: some conditions appear suddenly and are unmistakable, such as a road accident or a seizure, while others show up more subtly and worsen within hours.
As a general rule, if you notice a sudden change in your dog's or cat's behaviour or physical state, if it has difficulty breathing, intense pain or does not respond as usual, treat it as an emergency and get in touch straight away. It is far better to call and be reassured than to wait and regret it. Cats, in particular, tend to hide discomfort, so any visible sign in a cat usually means the problem has already been developing for some time.
Warning signs you should not ignore
Some signs alone justify an immediate call. The following table summarises common situations and helps you judge whether you should go to the emergency service. Remember it is a general guide and the final decision should always rest on a professional assessment.
| Sign or situation | Emergency? |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing, choking or bluish/very pale gums | Yes, immediate |
| Seizures or loss of consciousness | Yes, immediate |
| Severe trauma (road accident, fall, bite) | Yes, immediate |
| Suspected poisoning or swallowing a foreign object | Yes, immediate |
| Swollen, hard belly with unproductive attempts to vomit | Yes, immediate |
| Male cat straining to urinate without success | Yes, immediate |
| Heavy bleeding that does not stop | Yes, immediate |
| Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, marked lethargy | Yes, assess soon |
| Mild limping with no other signs, normal appetite | Usually can wait for an appointment |
Other warning signs include sudden abdominal bloating (especially in large-breed dogs), extreme weakness, very pale or yellowish mucous membranes, heatstroke after being left in a hot place, or pain so intense that your pet complains when touched. If you are unsure about the severity, our article on veterinary emergency warning signs has more detail, but in any of these cases the sensible thing is to call first.
What to do on the way to the clinic
Once you have decided to go to the emergency service, your goal is to keep your pet as stable and comfortable as possible while you travel. First aid should be simple and cautious: your job is not to treat the cause, but to keep the situation from getting worse on the way.
Before setting off, call 722 61 44 10 and describe what is happening. We will tell you what to do in your specific case and get ready to receive you. In the meantime, these general guidelines may help:
| Situation | What to do on the way |
|---|---|
| Visible bleeding | Apply gentle, steady pressure with a clean cloth over the wound. |
| Possible fracture or trauma | Move the animal as little as possible; carry it on a rigid surface if you can. |
| Heatstroke | Take it to a cool, ventilated place; offer water if it is conscious and not choking. |
| Suspected poisoning | Bring the container or a photo of the product swallowed; do not wait for symptoms. |
| Seizure | Remove dangerous objects nearby, dim the lights and avoid holding its head. |
Transport your pet carefully: cats and small dogs in a carrier; large dogs with another person's help if possible. Stay calm, because your animal senses your nervousness, and drive carefully. Arriving safely matters more than saving a few seconds.
How to act in a veterinary emergency, step by step
- Stay calm and assess your pet. Check whether it is conscious, breathing normally and if there is visible bleeding. Do not move it abruptly if you suspect a fracture.
- Call the emergency vet. Contact Clínica Veterinaria Somo on 722 61 44 10, available 24 hours, 365 days a year in Somo (Cantabria).
- Describe the symptoms precisely. Say when they started, whether it has eaten anything strange, whether it has had a trauma and what medication it takes.
- Transport the animal safely. Use a carrier if possible; for an open wound, cover it with a clean cloth and avoid excessive movement.
- Arrive with the animal's documents. If you have the vaccination record or medical history to hand, bring them: they speed up diagnosis and save time in an emergency.
In an emergency, the most useful thing you can do is call before leaving: we get ready to receive your pet and you set off knowing exactly what to do on the way.
“In an emergency, minutes count. When in doubt, call: we'd rather reassure you than regret waiting too long.”
What NOT to do
In an emergency, some well-meant reactions can make things worse. It helps to be clear about what to avoid:
Do not give human medicines or leftovers from previous treatments on your own. Many human drugs, such as certain painkillers and anti-inflammatories, are toxic to dogs and cats even in small amounts. Do not improvise doses either: the correct regimen depends on the species, weight and condition of the animal, and only a vet should prescribe it.
Do not induce vomiting if you suspect poisoning unless a professional tells you to expressly: with some substances doing so is dangerous. Do not give food or water if your pet is very weak, is vomiting or might need sedation or surgery. And do not waste time searching for answers online when the signs are serious: that call you are putting off is exactly what helps your animal most.
How to reach emergency care in Cantabria (Somo, near Santander)
The 24-hour veterinary emergency service is in Somo, at the veterinary clinic in Cantabria just a few minutes from Santander. To get there as soon as possible, call 722 61 44 10 before you leave: we will confirm that the team is waiting for you and give you final instructions based on your pet's condition.
If you can, travel with company: one person drives and another looks after the animal during the journey. Bring any information you have to hand (health record, current treatments, the product container if there was poisoning) and, if you can, a blanket or carrier to move it safely. You can check the location and access directions on our contact page.
When it is NOT an emergency
Not every health problem calls for a middle-of-the-night visit. Mild limping with no other signs, occasional itching, a pending vaccine or a small superficial wound that is not bleeding heavily can usually wait for a scheduled appointment during regular hours. Handling these cases at an ordinary visit allows a calmer, more thorough assessment. If you are torn between waiting or not, call: we will help you decide.
A note on the cost of emergencies
It is natural to wonder how much an emergency costs. As a general industry reference, out-of-hours emergency consultations usually carry an availability surcharge that varies from clinic to clinic; we tell you the cost during the call. In that moment our priority is your pet's health: being transparent about the price is part of the call itself, so you need not worry about surprises.
Discuss each specific case with your vet; the right treatment depends on the age, weight, health status and history of each animal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the veterinary emergency phone number in Cantabria?
The emergency number is 722 61 44 10, available 24 hours. Calling before you leave for the clinic gives us time to prepare care and to give you instructions for the journey. If you are unsure whether the situation is serious, call anyway: we will help you decide whether you should come straight away.
How do I know if my pet's problem is a real emergency?
Treat as an emergency any difficulty breathing, seizure, severe trauma, suspected poisoning, heavy bleeding, a swollen and hard belly, or a cat straining to urinate without success. Also extreme weakness or sudden intense pain. When your dog or cat shows a sudden change in condition, the sensible thing is to call and check.
What can I do at home while I get to the emergency service?
Stay calm, call 722 61 44 10 and follow our instructions. In general: apply gentle pressure to bleeding, move an animal that might have a fracture as little as possible, take it to a cool place in case of heatstroke and keep the product container if you suspect poisoning. Do not give human medicines or induce vomiting on your own.
Do emergencies cost more than a normal consultation?
Out-of-hours emergency consultations usually carry an availability surcharge that varies from clinic to clinic; we tell you the cost during the call. That way you know what to expect before coming and can focus on what matters, which is your pet's health.
Where can I find veterinary emergencies in Cantabria?
In Somo (Ribamontán al Mar), a few minutes from Santander: Clínica Veterinaria Somo handles veterinary emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for dogs and cats. Call ahead on 722 61 44 10 so we can prepare care and give you directions for the journey.
24-hour emergencies at Clínica Veterinaria Somo
At Clínica Veterinaria Somo, in Cantabria and very close to Santander, we handle veterinary emergencies 24 hours a day for dogs and cats. If you think your pet needs immediate care, do not wait: call 722 61 44 10. And if you simply want to arrange a consultation or clear up a non-urgent question, write to us from our contact page. We are here to care for your best friend when it needs it most.
