Is Your Pet Having Trouble Breathing? Act Now.
Labored breathing in a dog or cat is never something to wait out. Respiratory distress can become life-threatening within minutes — and it’s one of the clearest signals that your pet needs emergency veterinary attention right away. At Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital, our team is available 24/7 to evaluate and treat pets in respiratory distress. Call us now so we can prepare for your arrival.
Emergency respiratory care available 24/7
Advanced diagnostics to identify the cause fast
Honest guidance to help you act quickly and confidently
Compassionate support for pets and their families
Immediate Stabilization
Oxygen supplementation and airway support from the moment your pet arrives.
Onsite Diagnostics
Chest X-rays, bloodwork, and imaging to find the cause fast.
Expert Emergency Team
Emergency professionals trained for critical respiratory cases.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Having Trouble Breathing
Stay as calm as possible — stress and agitation can worsen breathing in a pet that’s already struggling. Do not attempt home remedies. Breathing emergencies require veterinary equipment and expertise, not waiting or repositioning.
Minimize handling during transport. Keep your pet as still and comfortable as possible on the way in — excess movement increases oxygen demand. Call ahead at (423) 581-9492 if you can so our team can prepare, but if you can’t call, just come. We’re located at 2040 W Hwy 11E Suite B, New Market, TN, and we’re open every hour of every day. Even if your pet’s breathing seems to have improved, an emergency exam is still critical — respiratory conditions can deteriorate rapidly without warning.
Get Help Now
If your pet is struggling to breathe, call us immediately. Our team can guide you through what to do and will be ready when you arrive. Do not wait to see if it improves on its own — with breathing emergencies, time is the most critical factor.
24/7 emergency respiratory care
Experienced, calm professionals
Support for pets and their families throughout the process
Trusted Emergency Care When It Matters Most
Pet families across New Market and Jefferson County trust Five Rivers for fast response, honest communication, and compassionate care during their most stressful moments.
Got Questions?
My pet seems to be breathing okay now — do I still need to come in?
Yes. Respiratory conditions can stabilize briefly before worsening again. If your pet had any breathing difficulty, a full emergency exam is always the right call — many underlying causes, including heart disease, fluid buildup, and airway obstruction, won’t resolve on their own.
What does respiratory distress look like in dogs and cats?
Signs include rapid or labored breathing, open-mouth breathing (especially in cats), noisy or raspy breathing, extended neck or elbows pointed outward, blue or pale gums, excessive coughing, restlessness, and collapse. Cats often hide discomfort — even subtle changes in breathing rate or energy level are worth a call to our team.
What causes difficulty breathing in pets?
Common causes include asthma, pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), pneumonia, heart disease or congestive heart failure, chest trauma, airway obstruction, tracheal collapse, allergic reactions, tumors, and bloat (GDV). Many of these escalate quickly and require very different treatments — accurate diagnosis fast is essential.
Are you open 24/7 for breathing emergencies?
Yes. Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at (423) 581-9492 any time — day or night — and our emergency team will be ready to help.
Breathing Problems Don't Wait. Neither Should You.
If your pet is struggling to breathe, every minute matters. Our emergency team is ready around the clock to stabilize, diagnose, and treat — so your pet has the best possible chance at a full recovery.
