Symptom checker
Tell it what you are seeing in your dog or cat. It shows which signs mean go now, and what to read about the rest before you call your vet.
Eating and drinking: what are you seeing?
Go to a vet or emergency clinic now if
- A cat that has not eaten for a day or more
- Not eating together with repeated vomiting, or with a swollen belly
- Sudden great thirst with vomiting, weakness or confusion
Tick what fits
Choose an area, tick what you are seeing, and add from other areas if there is more than one thing. You will get what to read and how soon to call.
Always an emergency
Trouble breathing · Collapse, or cannot stand · A seizure that does not stop, or repeated seizures · Cannot pass urine · A swollen, hard belly with retching · May have eaten something poisonous, including human medicine · Heavy bleeding, or hit by a car
This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer
What it does and does not do
This checker does two things. It puts the emergency signs for each part of the body in front of you, so you are not reading an article when you should be in the car. And it takes you to the pages that explain what a symptom can mean in an older dog or cat.
It does not diagnose, and it will never tell you a symptom is nothing. Vomiting, weight loss or a wobble each have a dozen possible causes that look identical at home, and telling them apart takes an examination and often tests.
Older pets hide illness and have little in reserve. If something has changed and it lasts more than a day or two, book a visit, and write down what you ticked here to take with you.
More tools
All tools →- Can my dog or cat eat this?Type a food. See whether it is fine in small amounts, only with care, or a no, and read why.
- Euthanasia and cremation cost estimatorClinic, home or emergency visit, with or without cremation. A typical range before you call for quotes.
- Is it time? A checklist for dogsThe things vets weigh when a dog's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.
- Is it time? A checklist for catsThe things vets weigh when a cat's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.