By animal

Cats

Dogs

Cats and dogs

Body system · Accidents, poisons and emergencies

My dog has heatstroke — what now?

Heatstroke is an emergency, and short-muzzled breeds are at higher risk. Do not wait for the dog to "rest it off".

My cat has touched a lily — what now?

The poison is in the flowers, leaves, pollen and the vase water, and a cat that licks pollen off its coat has had enough. There is no observation period on this page: any suspected exposure goes to a vet now.

My cat fell from a height — what now?

Injuries from a fall are not always visible at once. A cat that walks away can still have bruised lungs, a collapsed lung, or a fractured pelvis or jaw, and only an examination finds them.

My dog ate something toxic — what now?

One rule for any swallowed poison: do not wait for signs. Call the vet or the emergency hospital, and say exactly what was eaten, how much, and when.

My pet was stung by a bee — what now?

Most stings are local swelling and pain. A sting on the face, mouth or throat, or trouble breathing, generalised swelling or weakness, is an emergency.

My dog was hit by a car, or fell — what now?

Injuries from an impact often appear late. A dog that gets up and walks can still have internal bleeding, a collapsed lung or a fracture, and only an examination finds them.

Body system · Digestion

My cat is vomiting — what now?

A single vomit is usually not serious. Repeated vomiting, blood, or a cat that will not eat afterwards needs handling today. Work out which one you are looking at.

My dog is vomiting — what now?

Vomiting in dogs is common, but blood, coffee-ground material, or repeated retching that brings nothing up are all situations that cannot wait.

My cat is constipated — what now?

Separate two things: straining and producing nothing, versus no urge at all. The first can be constipation, but it can also be a urinary problem, and those are handled differently.

My cat has diarrhoea — what now?

Most cat diarrhoea settles within a few days, but kittens, senior cats, and stool with blood or black stool cannot wait. Start with the colour and the shape.

My dog has diarrhoea — what now?

Diarrhoea in dogs is common, and puppies and older dogs dehydrate faster. Check for blood, the colour, and how the dog is in itself, then decide whether it needs a vet today.

Body system · Urinary tract

Blood in my cat's urine — what now?

Blood in a cat's urine can be simple bladder inflammation, or the warning before a complete blockage. A male cat that cannot pass urine is an emergency; do not wait until morning.

Body system · Breathing and heart

My cat is breathing fast — what now?

Open-mouth breathing is never normal in a cat. Judge it by how much effort you can see, and count the breaths while the cat is completely still or asleep.

My dog is coughing — what now?

A cough is not a diagnosis. What matters is how much effort breathing takes, how hard the coughing fits are, and what else is happening at the same time.

My cat is sneezing — what now?

The occasional sneeze is harmless. Three things decide the answer: whether the discharge is clear or yellow-green, whether the eyes are affected too, and whether breathing has become an effort.

My dog has a nosebleed — what now?

A small nosebleed that stops is usually fine. Bleeding that keeps going, bleeding from both nostrils, or pale gums means go now.

Body system · Skin and coat

My cat is losing hair, or the skin is red — what now?

Some hair loss is normal. Red, itchy, broken skin is not. First work out whether the loss is symmetrical, or patches of red skin with hair missing.

Body system · Eyes, ears, mouth and nose

My cat has eye discharge — what now?

Eye discharge can be mild irritation, or a corneal ulcer, or raised pressure inside the eye. The key is whether the eye itself has gone cloudy or white, and whether the cat can open it.

My dog's ears smell — what now?

A smelly ear usually means inflammation or infection in the ear canal, not just dirt. Cleaning only reaches the surface; an infection needs a sample and the right medicine.

My dog has bad breath — what now?

Bad breath usually comes from periodontal disease, but it can also signal a mouth tumour, kidney disease or diabetes. Check the teeth and gums before buying dental chews.

Body system · Nervous system

My pet is having a seizure — what now?

Protect the pet from injury and start timing. The longer it lasts, the more it needs a vet now, not later.

Body system · Bones, joints and movement

My dog is limping — what now?

Lameness runs from a cut pad to a slipped disc. First check whether the dog can take weight on the leg, and whether it came on suddenly or has been building.