This article exists because of a Tuesday night in Bengaluru when Leo got bit, no vet answered, and we had nothing — no contacts, no first-aid kit, no plan. Every Indian pet parent will face this moment. Here's how to survive it.
Step 1: Assess — is this a true emergency?
Rush NOW if: Uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, collapse/unresponsiveness, seizure lasting >5 minutes, suspected poisoning, visible bone fracture, bloated abdomen with retching.
Can wait until morning if: Minor limping without visible injury, single episode of vomiting (no blood), small cuts that stop bleeding with pressure, mild diarrhoea without blood or lethargy.
When in doubt, treat it as an emergency. Better a false alarm than a dead dog.
Step 2: Stabilise
Apply the same principles from our 5-minute emergency guide: keep them breathing, stop active damage, prepare for transport. Don't try to diagnose — stabilise.
Step 3: Call — the 24×7 vet contacts
| City | Clinic | 24×7 Number |
|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | CUPA Trauma Centre | +91 80 4111 1111 |
| Bangalore | Cessna Lifeline | +91 80 6700 6700 |
| Mumbai | Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital | +91 22 2380 2647 |
| Delhi | Friendicoes SECA | +91 11 2431 3215 |
| Chennai | Blue Cross of India | +91 44 2235 4959 |
| Hyderabad | Blue Cross Hyderabad | +91 40 2354 0832 |
Save these now. Not when you need them. Now.
Step 4: Transport safely
- Support the spine — one hand under chest, one under hips
- Use a flat surface (board, large tray) for suspected spinal injuries
- Muzzle if in pain — injured dogs bite, even yours
- Drive smoothly. Speed kills — on the road and in the car
- Call ahead so they're ready when you arrive
Step 5: Document for the vet
While someone else drives, write down: Time of incident. What happened (detail). Current symptoms. Any medication given. Weight. Last meal time. Vaccination status. This saves 15 minutes of questions at the clinic.
The night kit — build it today
Same kit as our emergency guide: gauze, Betadine, saline, thermometer, muzzle, emergency card. Total cost: under ₹1,500. Keep it by the door. Check it every 6 months.
Why Mitra AI works at 3 AM
Mitra AI doesn't sleep. At 3 AM, it can assess symptoms from a photo, tell you if it's a rush-to-vet or wait-until-morning situation, and give you the nearest 24×7 vet's number based on your location. That's the product Leo needed that Tuesday night. — Ranjiesh, Leo's dad.
The one thing to do today
Save two numbers: your primary vet and the nearest 24×7 emergency clinic. Label them "VET" and "VET EMERGENCY" in your phone. Teach your family to use them. Five minutes of preparation today saves your dog's life at 11 PM.
Your pet deserves better than scattered records
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Reserve your founding spot →Sources & further reading
- CUPA Bangalore — Emergency protocols and 24×7 contacts. cupabangalore.org
- AVMA — Emergency first aid for pets. www.avma.org
- Merck Vet Manual — Triage assessment in companion animals. www.merckvetmanual.com
- Blue Cross of India — Emergency helplines. www.bluecrossofindia.org
- Cessna Lifeline — Emergency vet services Bangalore. cessnalifeline.com