Act now
Call your vet or nearest emergency vet straight away, day or night.
- Retching with nothing coming up, swollen bellyPossible bloat, especially in large, deep-chested dogsWhat to do
- Seizure or fitAny first seizure, or one lasting over a few minutesWhat to do
- Ate chocolate, grapes, xylitol or another poisonEven if they seem fine — signs can take hoursWhat to do
- Struggling to breathe, pale or blue gumsOpen-mouth breathing in a cat or rabbit is always urgentWhat to do
- Heavy panting, drooling or stumbling in the heatPossible heatstroke — cool them and goWhat to do
- Collapse or sudden weaknessCan't stand, unresponsive or very wobblyWhat to do
- Heavy bleeding or a serious injuryIncluding a road accident or fall, even if they seem fineWhat to do
Call your vet today
Ring your practice today for advice or a same-day appointment.
- Vomiting more than once, or with bloodCan't keep water down, or seems flat — that's act nowWhat to doRelated: Pancreatitis
- Diarrhoea with blood, or with vomitingPuppies and small dogs dehydrate quicklyWhat to doRelated: Parvovirus
- Limping and won't put weight on a legObvious injury, swelling or severe pain is act nowWhat to do
- Red, painful, cloudy or squinting eyeEye problems can worsen quicklyWhat to do
- Sudden head tilt or loss of balanceEspecially with circling or falling overWhat to do
- Shaking or trembling and seems unwellWith vomiting, wobbliness or a possible poison — act nowWhat to do
- Panting hard at rest in a cool roomWith restlessness or pale gums — act nowWhat to do
- Coughing with laboured breathingCoughing up blood or collapse — act nowWhat to doRelated: Lungworm
Book a visit
Not usually urgent on its own — book a check within the next few days.
- Drinking more than usualA lasting increase over several daysWhat to doRelated: Diabetes in dogs
- Losing weightEven if they're eating normallyWhat to doRelated: Hyperthyroidism in cats
- A new lump or bumpSooner if it's growing, bleeding or appeared quicklyWhat to do
- Bad breathSooner with drooling, swelling or dropping foodWhat to doRelated: Dental disease
- Scratching, licking or hair lossCheck for fleas firstWhat to do
- Head shaking or scratching earsA smell or discharge means book soonWhat to doRelated: Ear infections
- Off their foodMore than a day, or with other signs — call todayWhat to do
- An occasional coughKeep away from other dogs until checkedWhat to doRelated: Kennel cough
- Sticky or coloured eye dischargePainful or cloudy eye — call todayWhat to do