Pet health guide
What may be affecting your pet?
Short, reviewable answers: signs to watch, how urgent it may be and what to do now.
Emergency signsIf you see a potentially life-threatening sign, do not wait to read the guide. Contact a veterinary clinic now.Urethral obstruction in cats
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to urinate, especially in a male cat, may mean the urethra is blocked. Without prompt care, the condition can become life-threatening, so going to a veterinary clinic should not be delayed.
EmergencyChronic kidney disease
Increased thirst and urination, gradual loss of weight or muscle, appetite change or nausea may accompany chronic kidney disease. It often begins quietly, so assessment should not be delayed, especially in an older pet.
Veterinary assessment neededRabies and possible exposure
If a suspect, unknown or wild animal bites or scratches a person or pet, or saliva reaches broken skin, the eyes, mouth or nose, do not wait for symptoms. Wash the wound immediately and contact the appropriate medical and veterinary services.
EmergencyHeatstroke
Heavy panting, drooling, confusion, loss of coordination or collapse in a hot environment may indicate heatstroke. It can rapidly damage organs and become fatal, so begin safe cooling and travel to a veterinary clinic immediately.
EmergencySuspected poisoning
If a pet may have swallowed, inhaled or contacted a toxic substance, do not wait for signs. Some toxins can rapidly and silently injure the nervous system, heart, liver or kidneys, and delay may become life-threatening.
EmergencySeizure
During a seizure a pet may fall, stiffen, paddle the limbs or lose awareness. A seizure lasting five minutes or repeated seizures without full recovery between them are life-threatening emergencies.
EmergencyDifficulty breathing
Effortful, noisy or open-mouth breathing, an extended neck, inability to lie down, or blue-grey gums may signal inadequate oxygen. Respiratory distress can worsen within hours or faster and become life-threatening.
EmergencyGastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
Unproductive retching, a rapidly enlarging or painful abdomen, drooling and restlessness in a dog may indicate gastric dilatation-volvulus. GDV rapidly compromises circulation and breathing and is life-threatening without immediate treatment.
EmergencyPyometra
Lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, marked thirst, abdominal enlargement or vaginal discharge in an unspayed female dog or cat may indicate pyometra. Infection can rapidly progress to sepsis and shock and become life-threatening.
EmergencyVomiting and diarrhea
One mild vomit or soft stool is not always an emergency, but repeated vomiting, frequent watery diarrhea, blood, marked pain, weakness or inability to keep water down needs prompt assessment. Puppies, kittens, older pets and those with chronic disease dehydrate faster.
Veterinary assessment neededEye injury or sudden eye pain
Squinting, rubbing, sudden redness, cloudiness, heavy tearing or visible damage signals eye pain and needs same-day assessment. Trauma, a bulging eye, an embedded object or sudden vision change is an emergency.
EmergencyTrauma and bleeding
After a major impact, fall, road accident, bite or uncontrolled bleeding, apparently minor external injury can conceal internal bleeding or organ damage. Deterioration to shock can be rapid and life-threatening.
EmergencyAcute allergic reaction
Rapid facial or lip swelling accompanied by vomiting, breathing difficulty, profound weakness or collapse may indicate anaphylaxis. A severe reaction can develop within minutes, compromise breathing or circulation, and become life-threatening.
EmergencyFeline diabetes
Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, or a flat-footed hind-limb stance may indicate diabetes. In a diabetic cat, refusal of food, vomiting, profound weakness, tremors or a seizure is an emergency.
Veterinary assessment neededFeline hyperthyroidism
Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite, restlessness, a rapid heart rate, increased thirst, vomiting or an unkempt coat in an older cat may indicate hyperthyroidism. Untreated disease can damage the heart, blood pressure and other organs.
Veterinary assessment neededHeart failure warning signs
Rapid or effortful breathing at rest, inability to lie down, blue-grey gums, profound weakness or collapse may signal acute worsening of heart failure. Oxygen deprivation can quickly become life-threatening.
EmergencyCanine parvovirus
Lethargy, poor appetite, repeated vomiting and severe, sometimes bloody diarrhea in a puppy or unvaccinated dog may indicate parvovirus. Disease often progresses quickly to dehydration, sepsis and shock and is life-threatening without treatment.
EmergencyFeline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus)
Marked lethargy, refusal of food or water, vomiting or diarrhea in a kitten or unvaccinated cat may indicate panleukopenia. Disease can worsen within hours and become life-threatening without prompt care.
EmergencyFeline upper respiratory infection
Sneezing, nose or eye discharge, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, fever and reduced appetite may indicate an upper respiratory infection. Open-mouth or effortful breathing in a cat is an emergency.
Veterinary assessment neededFeline dental disease
Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side or refusing food are signs of oral pain. Cats often continue eating despite pain, so even a small change deserves attention.
Veterinary assessment neededEar infection in dogs
Frequent head shaking, scratching, odour, redness, discharge or pain on touch are signs of ear-canal inflammation. Head tilt, loss of balance, abnormal eye movements or facial weakness may indicate middle or inner ear involvement and needs prompt assessment.
Veterinary assessment neededOverweight and obesity
If the ribs are difficult to feel, the waist has disappeared or movement is harder, a pet may be overweight. Weight loss needs a safe plan.
Veterinary assessment neededDental and gum disease in dogs
Bad breath, plaque, red or bleeding gums, dropped food and difficulty eating may signal oral pain.
Veterinary assessment neededAllergic skin disease and atopic dermatitis
Itching, paw licking, face rubbing and recurrent skin or ear inflammation may be allergy-related.
Veterinary assessment neededOsteoarthritis and chronic joint pain
Difficulty rising, reluctance to use stairs or jump, slower walks and less play may indicate joint pain.
Veterinary assessment neededFleas and flea allergy
Itching, chewing near the tail base, crusts and hair loss may accompany fleas or allergy to flea saliva.
Veterinary assessment neededAnal sac impaction and inflammation
Scooting, licking under the tail, strong odour, pain or swelling may indicate anal sac disease.
Veterinary assessment neededOvergrown or injured claws
Clicking claws, paw licking, lameness, or a broken or embedded claw needs attention.
Veterinary assessment neededConjunctivitis and red eye
Redness, discharge, squinting or rubbing may look like conjunctivitis, but ulcers, glaucoma and other painful disease can appear similar.
Veterinary assessment neededIntestinal parasites
Diarrhea, weight loss, a pot belly, poor coat or a visible worm may indicate intestinal parasites, although infected pets often have no signs.
Veterinary assessment neededFeline lower urinary tract disease and cystitis
Frequent urination, straining, blood in urine or urinating outside the tray are lower urinary tract signs. Producing no urine raises an emergency concern for obstruction.
Veterinary assessment neededSkin lumps and masses
A new lump or a change in size or colour, ulceration, bleeding or pain needs veterinary assessment. Touch alone cannot separate benign from malignant masses.
Veterinary assessment neededLameness and limb pain
Reduced weight-bearing, an unusual gait or reluctance to move or jump may indicate pain.
Veterinary assessment neededHeart murmur
A heart murmur is an extra sound heard with a stethoscope, not a final diagnosis. It may be innocent or indicate heart disease.
Veterinary assessment neededCat bite wounds and abscesses
Painful swelling, fever, lethargy, lameness or a draining wound after a fight may indicate an abscess.
Veterinary assessment neededConstipation and obstipation
Small dry stools, unproductive straining, painful defecation, poor appetite or vomiting may accompany constipation. Do not mistake inability to urinate for constipation.
Veterinary assessment neededFeline ear disease and ear mites
Ear scratching, head shaking, dark or purulent discharge, odour and pain are signs of ear disease.
Veterinary assessment neededCanine infectious respiratory disease
A dry hacking cough, gag-like sound, sneezing or nasal discharge may accompany canine infectious respiratory disease.
Veterinary assessment neededPancreatitis
Vomiting, poor appetite, abdominal pain, weakness and diarrhea may accompany pancreatitis; signs are often subtler in cats.
Veterinary assessment neededUrinary tract infection
Frequent or painful urination, blood in urine, strong odour or incontinence may accompany infection, but other causes are common.
Veterinary assessment neededUrinary incontinence in dogs
Urine leakage during sleep or rest, a wet bed and frequent licking around the genitals may indicate incontinence.
Veterinary assessment neededSpaying and neutering: benefits, risks and timing
Sterilisation prevents unwanted litters and reduces the risk of several serious reproductive diseases. The method and timing are not identical for every animal.
Veterinary assessment neededImportant information
This guide does not diagnose and does not replace veterinary advice.
Do not give human medicines, leftover antibiotics or other treatment unless a veterinarian directs you. If you are unsure how urgent a sign is, contact a veterinary clinic.