Question 1

How do I know if my dog's symptoms are an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Seek emergency care immediately for: difficulty breathing, collapse or inability to stand, suspected poisoning, bloated or hard abdomen (especially in large breeds), seizures lasting more than 5 minutes, severe bleeding that won't stop, pale or white gums, or inability to urinate (especially in male cats). Our symptom checker flags EMERGENCY, URGENT, or MONITOR status for each set of symptoms.

Question 2

What symptoms in a cat require immediate vet attention?

Accepted Answer

Take your cat to an emergency vet immediately if you notice: laboured breathing or open-mouth breathing, inability to urinate (especially male cats — this is life-threatening), collapse, seizures, pale or yellow gums, vomiting blood, suspected ingestion of lilies or other toxic plants, or a distended abdomen.

Question 3

Can I check my pet's symptoms online for free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our AI Pet Symptom Checker is free. Describe your pet's symptoms, species, age, and how long they've been present, and the AI provides an instant severity assessment. However, online symptom checkers cannot replace a physical examination. Always follow up with your vet for anything rated URGENT or EMERGENCY.

Question 4

What are the signs of serious illness in dogs?

Accepted Answer

Warning signs requiring prompt veterinary attention include: loss of appetite for more than 24 hours, vomiting or diarrhoea more than twice in 24 hours, lethargy lasting more than a day, excessive thirst or urination, coughing or laboured breathing, sudden behavioural changes, limping that doesn't resolve, or any lump that appears quickly.

Question 5

When should I call an emergency vet?

Accepted Answer

Call an emergency vet immediately for: suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion, trauma (hit by car, fall from height, animal attack), breathing difficulty, collapse, seizures, suspected broken bones, eye injuries, or any symptom your gut tells you is serious. When in doubt, call — emergency vets would rather hear from you than have you wait too long.

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