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Pets cannot tell us where it hurts, and instinct makes many of them hide illness. Learning which signs mean you should act now, rather than wait and see, is one of the most useful things an owner can do. This guide groups the main red flags by body system and explains why each one matters.
Breathing and gum colour
Difficulty breathing is always an emergency.
Look for fast breathing while resting, breathing with the belly heaving, an open mouth in a cat, noisy or wheezing breaths, or an extended neck. Healthy gums are usually pink and moist; very pale, white, blue, grey or bright red gums can signal shock, poor oxygen or overheating.
A quick way to learn what is normal is to look at your pet's resting breathing and gum colour on a calm day. Counting breaths while your pet sleeps gives you a personal baseline you can compare against if you ever worry.
Collapse, seizures and neurological signs
Sudden collapse, loss of balance, a head tilt that appears suddenly, circling, disorientation, repeated seizures or a seizure lasting more than a few minutes all need urgent care.
So does a sudden change in behaviour, such as unusual aggression or confusion, particularly in an older pet.
These signs have many possible causes, from poisoning to infections and problems in the brain or heart. Only a vet can tell them apart, which is why waiting at home is rarely helpful.
Vomiting, diarrhoea and refusing food
One episode of vomiting in an otherwise bright animal is not usually an emergency, but repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, black tarry stool, a swollen abdomen, or vomiting combined with weakness is. Puppies, kittens, small breeds and seniors can become dehydrated within hours, so they need to be seen sooner.
A cat that has not eaten for a day or more deserves a call to the vet, because cats can develop serious liver problems when they stop eating. A dog that refuses food and water and seems quiet or in pain should also be checked the same day.
Straining to urinate or defecate
Repeated trips to the litter tray or garden with little or no urine, crying while trying to pass urine, or licking the genital area constantly can mean a urinary blockage.
This is a true emergency, especially in male cats, where a blockage can become fatal in a day or two.
Do not assume constipation or a mild bladder infection without a vet's opinion. The sooner a blockage is treated, the better the outcome.
A swollen belly and unproductive retching
In large, deep-chested dogs, a swollen, tight abdomen together with repeated attempts to vomit that bring nothing up, drooling and restlessness can signal gastric dilatation and volvulus, often called bloat or GDV. It is a rapidly fatal emergency that requires surgery. Go to an emergency vet immediately.
Known toxins and other urgent situations
If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, xylitol, grapes or raisins, lilies (for cats), antifreeze, rodent poison or human medicines, contact a vet before symptoms start.
Other emergencies include major trauma such as a fall or road accident even if the animal looks fine, eye injuries, heatstroke, a difficult or prolonged labour, and any wound that bleeds heavily.
Extreme lethargy, a pet that will not stand, severe pain when touched, or a sudden dramatic change from normal are all reasons to call. Trust your instinct: you know your pet best.