Emergency or can it wait?

Correct answer: B. Take him to a vet immediately

In male cats this is often a blocked urethra. Urine cannot leave, potassium and toxins build up in the blood and the heart can stop, sometimes within 1–3 days. Many owners mistake it for constipation. A cat that strains without passing urine is an emergency.

Correct answer: B. Possibly a twisted stomach: it needs emergency care

These are classic signs of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV, or bloat): the stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off its blood supply. A dog can die within hours, and emergency surgery is usually needed. It is most common in large, deep-chested breeds.

Correct answer: B. Cool it with cool (not ice-cold) water and go to a vet immediately

This is heatstroke: body temperature rises to a dangerous level and organs are damaged. Cool water and moving air bring the temperature down safely; ice constricts blood vessels and slows cooling. The dog needs a vet even if it seems to recover. Never leave a pet in a closed car on a warm day, even briefly.

Correct answer: B. It's struggling to breathe: see a vet now

Unlike dogs, healthy cats breathe through the nose. Open-mouth breathing at rest can signal a serious heart, lung or asthma problem. Brief panting after severe stress or hard play should settle quickly. Otherwise see a vet immediately and move the cat with as little stress as possible.

Correct answer: B. Move nearby objects away, time the seizure and keep your hands out of its mouth

Dogs and cats cannot swallow their tongues, but they can bite hard without meaning to. Keep the animal away from stairs and sharp objects, dim the lights and time the seizure. A seizure longer than 5 minutes, or several in a row, is an emergency. Always see a vet after a first seizure.

Correct answer: D. In all three cases

A single episode of vomiting in an otherwise well animal can often be watched at home. Blood in the vomit, repeated vomiting, weakness, a swollen belly, a suspected swallowed object, or a young animal losing fluid fast all need a vet straight away.

Correct answer: B. Shock, blood loss or severe anaemia

Healthy gums are pink and moist, and colour returns within about 2 seconds after you press them. Pale or white gums can point to internal bleeding, shock or anaemia; bluish gums to a lack of oxygen. Some dogs have naturally dark gums, so learn your pet's normal colour in advance.

Correct answer: B. Possibly parvovirus: go to a vet now, kept apart from other dogs

Parvovirus causes severe, often life-threatening enteritis in unvaccinated puppies. The puppy loses fluid fast and needs intensive care. The virus survives a long time in the environment and spreads easily to other dogs, so call the clinic before you go. A full vaccination course is the best protection; until it is complete, keep the puppy away from unknown dogs and the places they use.

Correct answer: B. Yes, internal injuries can show up later

Adrenaline masks pain after an impact. Internal bleeding, lung injury, a ruptured bladder or a diaphragmatic hernia can show up hours or days later. Move the animal carefully and have a vet examine it even if nothing is visible.

Correct answer: B. Contact a vet straight away

Fabric, balls or bones can lodge in the intestine and cause a blockage that needs surgery. Soon after swallowing, the object is often still in the stomach, where a vet can safely induce vomiting or remove it with an endoscope. If thread or string hangs from the mouth or the anus, do not pull it.