10 Signs Your Pet Needs to See a Vet Today

Animals hide illness. By the time a pet looks obviously unwell, it has often been unwell for a while. These are the signs where waiting is the wrong choice.

Go now

Difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing in a cat. Repeated unproductive retching with a swollen abdomen. Inability to pass urine, especially in male cats. Seizures. Pale white or blue gums. Collapse. Suspected poisoning. Bleeding that does not stop. A pregnant animal straining without producing a pup or kitten. Severe sudden pain.

Two that are missed most often

A male cat straining in the litter tray is often mistaken for constipation. It is frequently a urinary blockage, which is fatal within about 48 hours. And a deep-chested dog retching without bringing anything up may have a twisted stomach — hours matter.

Before you call

Note when it started, what the pet ate, and any medicine given. If something toxic was swallowed, carry the packet. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.