Answer these quick questions about your pet's symptoms to determine how urgently they need veterinary care.
Symptom CheckQuestion 1 of 8
🫁 Respiratory
😮💨
Is your pet breathing rapidly, gasping, or struggling for air?
Look for open-mouth breathing in cats, excessive panting at rest in dogs, blue-tinged gums, or visible rib movement with each breath.
🤢 Digestive
🤢
Is your pet retching or attempting to vomit without producing anything?
Non-productive retching can be a sign of bloat (GDV), a life-threatening emergency in dogs. Note if the abdomen appears swollen or tight.
🩸 GI / Internal
🩸
Is there blood in your pet's stool or vomit?
This includes bright red blood, dark tarry stools (digested blood), or coffee-ground-like material in vomit. Even small amounts warrant attention.
🧠 Neurological
⚡
Has your pet collapsed, had a seizure, or become suddenly unable to stand?
Includes falling over, rigid body tremors, loss of consciousness, uncontrollable shaking, paddling legs, or sudden hind-leg weakness or paralysis.
☠️ Toxicology
🧪
Has your pet ingested something potentially toxic or a foreign object?
Common toxins include chocolate, xylitol, grapes, lilies (cats), rat poison, human medications, or antifreeze. Foreign objects include bones, toys, fabric, or string.
🤢 Digestive
💧
Has your pet been vomiting or having diarrhea repeatedly (3+ times in the past 12 hours)?
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea can quickly lead to dangerous dehydration, especially in puppies, kittens, and senior pets.
⚕️ General Health
😿
Has your pet refused all food and water for more than 24 hours, or become extremely lethargic?
Complete appetite loss paired with extreme tiredness, hiding, or unresponsiveness could signal pain, infection, organ failure, or other serious conditions.
🩹 Pain / Injury
🐾
Is your pet crying out in pain, limping severely, or showing visible swelling, wounds, or eye injury?
Includes yelping or hissing when touched, guarding a body part, a swollen abdomen, an open wound, a protruding eye, or sudden inability to bear weight on a limb.
🚨
EMERGENCY — Go to the ER Immediately
Based on your answers, your pet may be experiencing a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Time is critical — do not wait.
⚠️ Symptoms You Flagged:
What to do right now:
✦ Call your nearest emergency vet clinic and let them know you're coming.
✦ Keep your pet calm and restrict movement if possible.
✦ Do not give any food, water, or medication unless directed by a vet.
✦ Do not induce vomiting unless specifically told to by a poison control hotline.
✦ Bring any relevant packaging (if toxin ingestion) or medical records.
⚠️
URGENT — See a Vet Today
Your pet's symptoms suggest a condition that needs prompt veterinary attention — ideally within the next few hours. If symptoms worsen, go to the ER.
⚠️ Symptoms You Flagged:
Recommended next steps:
✦ Call your vet immediately for a same-day appointment.
✦ If your vet is closed, visit an urgent care or emergency animal hospital.
✦ Monitor closely for any worsening — escalate to ER if symptoms intensify.
✦ Keep your pet hydrated with small sips of water if they can hold it down.
✦ Note the timeline — when symptoms started, frequency, and any changes.
✅
MONITOR — Schedule a Vet Visit Soon
Your pet's symptoms don't indicate an immediate emergency, but that doesn't mean everything is fine. Schedule a vet appointment and keep a close eye on any changes.
Recommended next steps:
✦ Schedule a vet appointment within 24–48 hours.
✦ Monitor for any new or worsening symptoms.
✦ Track eating, drinking, urination, and bowel habits.
✦ Note anything unusual — timing, frequency, behavior changes.
✦ Review our Disease Reports for more info on possible conditions.
✦ If ANY emergency symptoms appear, go to the ER immediately.
⚠️ This tool is for educational guidance only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital. If your pet shows signs of distress, seizures, collapse, or ingestion of toxins, go to the ER immediately regardless of this tool's output.
