Ottawa summers are genuinely wonderful. They’re also, predictably, when our busiest stretch of the year happens. From late May through September, we see the same wave of emergencies every year — some dramatic, some that snuck up on owners who didn’t see it coming.
Here are the ten we see most often, and what to do if you’re facing any of them.
1. Tick bites and tick-borne disease
Gatineau Park, the Rideau Trail, the Greenbelt — all stunning, all increasingly good habitat for blacklegged ticks. After every trail outing, check your dog thoroughly: ears, between toes, groin, armpits, around the collar, base of the tail. A tick check takes two minutes and can prevent weeks of treatment. Come in if you found an engorged tick, couldn’t remove it cleanly, or your dog developed fever or shifting lameness in the weeks after.
2. Toxin ingestion
More time outdoors means more exposure to things that shouldn’t be eaten. In Ottawa specifically, that includes wild mushrooms after rain along the Greenbelt trails, slug bait in gardens, lilies (fatal to cats), grape and raisin products, onions, corn cobs, and whatever’s on the neighbor’s BBQ. With toxins, earlier treatment means more options. Don’t wait for your pet to seem sick before coming in.
3. Bee stings and allergic reactions
Most bee stings cause localized pain and a bit of swelling — unpleasant but manageable. Some pets have severe allergic reactions that develop within minutes. Facial swelling, hives across the body, vomiting, sudden weakness, or difficulty breathing after outdoor exposure means they should be seen immediately.
4. Water-related emergencies
Ottawa’s rivers, canals, and local lakes are a huge draw in summer for dogs and owners alike. Water-related emergencies include aspiration of water, ear infections, and in rare but serious cases, blue-green algae toxicity from stagnant water bodies. Check Ottawa Public Health advisories before letting your dog swim anywhere that looks murky or still.
5. Porcupine encounters
Dogs almost always start it. Porcupines almost always win. If your dog comes back from an off-leash area looking like a pincushion, don’t try to remove the quills yourself — they’re barbed, and pulling at them incorrectly drives them deeper. Keep your dog as calm as possible to slow the swallowing of any quills near the mouth, and come in. Sedation is usually needed for proper removal.
6. Lacerations and paw injuries
More outdoor time means more chances to cut a paw on broken glass, a sharp rock, or a rough trail edge. Paw pad injuries bleed heavily and reopen easily with walking. If bleeding doesn’t slow with firm pressure within ten minutes, or the wound looks deep or gaping, come in for proper cleaning and closure.
7. Dehydration
Cats in particular are prone to dehydration in summer, often because they simply don’t drink enough even when water is available. Signs to look for: sunken eyes, dry or sticky gums, lethargy, and skin that doesn’t spring back when gently pinched. Mild dehydration responds to pushing fluids. Severe dehydration needs IV support — which we can provide.
8. Swimming-related ear infections
Dogs who swim frequently — especially those with long, floppy ears like Spaniels and Retrievers — are very prone to bacterial and yeast ear infections over the summer. The signs are head shaking, scratching at one or both ears, odor, and sometimes discharge. It’s not an emergency in the dramatic sense, but it’s painful, it doesn’t resolve on its own, and it’s worth treating before it gets worse.
9. Heatstroke
Dogs overheat faster than most owners expect, and the early signs like heavy panting, restlessness, and seeking shade are easy to attribute to just being a hot dog on a hot day. By the time gums turn red or pale, or a dog starts staggering, it’s already an emergency. Move to shade or AC, apply cool water to the armpits, neck, and groin, and get to us. Don’t use ice or ice water! It can actually slow core cooling by constricting surface blood vessels.
10. Hot pavement burns
The air temperature and the pavement temperature are two very different numbers on a sunny Ottawa afternoon. Asphalt can reach 60 to 70 degrees Celsius in direct sunlight. Paw pads blister in under a minute at those temperatures. The five-second test: put your own bare hand flat on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there comfortably, don’t walk your dog on it.
FAQ
How do I know if my pet needs urgent care tonight or can wait until morning?
The short version: if your pet is struggling to breathe, has pale or blue gums, is unresponsive, or is in obvious severe distress — don’t wait. If they’re uncomfortable but stable, a same-evening urgent care visit is the right call. And if you’re unsure enough to be searching at 10 p.m., that’s usually reason enough to come in.
Is blue-green algae actually a risk in Ottawa waterways?
Yes. Cyanobacteria blooms occur in slow-moving or stagnant water during warm months, and even a small amount can be rapidly toxic to dogs. Check Ottawa Public Health’s current advisories before letting your dog swim in lakes or ponds, and never let them drink from water that looks discolored or has a surface scum.
Can cats get heatstroke?
Yes, though they’re generally better than dogs at finding cool spots and avoiding overexertion. They’re still vulnerable in enclosed hot spaces: a parked car, a sunroom, a bedroom with the door closed. Open-mouth breathing in a cat is always a sign that something is wrong.
Dealing with a pet emergency in Ottawa?
Walk in to Galaxy Vets Urgent Care & Walk-In : Ottawa at 21 Jamie Avenue. Open daily noon to midnight.