Dog symptom guides: ER now, vet within 24 hours, or watch at home?

Each guide answers one question owners search at night — how urgent is this? — with the signs that mean the ER now, the ones that can wait for your vet, and what to watch for. Urgency only, never a diagnosis. Start with the 10 red flags if you are unsure.

Dog throwing up yellow
Yellow vomit is usually bile. One episode in a bright dog can often be watched; vomiting more than once in 24 h means a vet the same day.
Dog pale gums
Healthy dog gums are bubblegum pink and refill in under 2 seconds. Pale, white, gray or blue gums mean a vet today or the ER now — how to check.
Dog bloat signs: swollen belly and retching
Retching with nothing coming up plus a swollen belly is an ER-now sign. Shock can follow within 1–2 hours. Signs, high-risk breeds, what to do.
Lethargic dog
Adult dogs rest 12–14 h a day. Lethargy that lasts over 24 h needs a vet; can't stand, pale gums or breathing over 30/min asleep mean the ER.
Dog ate chocolate
Dark chocolate has ~2.5× the stimulants of milk chocolate; 20 mg/kg can cause signs. When to call poison control, the vet, or go to the ER.