Symptoms

The most common symptoms and what they usually mean

These are the calls that flood clinic switchboards. Most are minor. A few need same-day care. This is not a diagnosis — it is a triage guide so you know when to open the door.

Vomiting

A single vomit in an otherwise bright animal is usually diet or something they ate outside. Withhold food for 6 to 12 hours, offer small sips of water, reintroduce bland food.

Go to the vet today if vomiting is repeated (more than three times), contains blood, comes with lethargy or abdominal pain, or if a dog is unproductively retching with a swollen belly (possible GDV, emergency).

Diarrhoea

Same rule. One episode with a bright pet is usually not urgent. Blood, black tarry stools, more than 24 hours of loose stool, or any diarrhoea in a puppy or elderly pet warrants a vet visit today, because dehydration comes on fast.

Limping

Rest for 24 to 48 hours and see if it improves. Any limp with visible swelling, an audible click, refusal to bear weight, or trauma history should be seen the same day. Cats hiding a limp are famously stoic — if they are quiet and off food, take it seriously.

Lethargy and off food

Missing one meal is fine. Missing two meals plus low energy is a same-day vet call. Cats that skip food for more than 24 hours can develop hepatic lipidosis, which is dangerous.

Straining to urinate

In male cats especially, an inability to pass urine is a life-threatening blockage. Any straining, frequent tiny pees, or crying in the litter box deserves an emergency vet visit today.