Ryan Makes Early Morning Dash To Animal Emergency Room When Dog Falls ill

Julianne Hough and her pet

Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough had to make an emergency dash to the vets after her pet pooch fell ill over the weekend.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Lexi, took a turn for the worse on Saturday, and the couple launched themselves out of bed and into the car in record speed.

Taking to Twitter, Seacrest told his fans, 'One of the dogs is sick... so much so we are waking up to drive to emergency animal hospital in pj's.'

And it was a good job that the Idol host was on hand to wipe Julianne's anxious tears away.

Taking to Twitter, she wrote, 'First time I legitimately [bawled] my eyes out in years. Being a helpless parent is the worst thing in the world!'

It is thought that the illness was brought on by a stomach bug, but Seacrest posted a photo of himself on Twitter resting on what appeared to be a receptionist's desk as he waited for the diagnosis.

'Turns out it was a bad stomach bug, all will be fine,' he wrote, and Hough added, 'All is well in Lexi land! Thanks for all of your sweet messages! It means the world! Xoxo,' and later shared a picture of a relaxed-looking Lexi, and wrote, 'My Sunday date night company..... Nothing better! :)'