Sometimes, it can be hard to tell when you should call your veterinarian or when you should wait and see. One of the key aspects of pet ownership is understanding when our beloved furry friends need professional medical attention. Not every sneeze or scratch necessitates a trip to the vet, but recognizing when something is amiss and seeking timely veterinary care is crucial. The following information is a general guideline, but if you are at all concerned about your pet, you should always call your veterinarian!
Illness for veterinarian visit:
Lethargy (tiredness)
If your pet has non-specific lethargy and is not showing any signs of pain and seems to be acting fine otherwise (i.e. still eating, drinking, going to the bathroom normally), you can usually wait 24 hours. Make sure your pet has nice pink gums. If their gums are pale or white/grey in appearance, then do not wait and call your veterinarian right away.
Vomiting
If your pet vomits one time but is acting fine otherwise, this is usually not cause for concern. If your pet vomits and has diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, or has gotten into something and/or is just not acting like themselves, you should call your veterinarian. If your pet vomits more than once in a 24-hour period, you should call your veterinarian right away. (Dog owners, be sure to educate yourself on bloat.) The exception to this is if you have a cat that is bringing up a hairball. They will often vomit up more than one hairball in a 24-hour period.
Diarrhea
If your pet has one episode of diarrhea in a 24-hour period and is acting fine otherwise, you can usually sit and wait. If your pet has more than one episode of diarrhea in a 24-hour period, you should call your veterinarian. If you see blood in diarrhea or the diarrhea is black in color, call your veterinarian right away. If your pet has diarrhea and is vomiting, lethargic, has a decreased appetite, has gotten into something, or is just not acting like himself, call your veterinarian.
Decreased Appetite or Anorexia
If your pet has decreased appetite for less than 24 hours and is acting fine otherwise, you can usually wait 24 hours. If your pet is not eating at all, do not wait and call your veterinarian right away. If your pet is acting abnormally and has a decreased appetite, call your veterinarian. If your pet has a decreased appetite or has not eaten for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. A decreased appetite or lack of appetite is very serious in cats since they can decline quickly.
Increased Frequency of Urination
If you notice your pet in the litterbox more frequently, asking to go out to potty more frequently, or seeing them urinating more frequently, you should call your vet. If you notice blood in the urine, call your veterinarian. It is also helpful to bring a freshly collected urine sample with you to your appointment. Make sure your pet is producing urine, especially in cats.
Decreased Urine Volume
If you notice your pet trying to urinate more frequently and very little urine is coming out, call your vet. If you notice no urine, call your vet immediately. This is especially true in cats. If you notice a few drops of urine or no urine production, call your veterinarian immediately because your pet could have a urinary obstruction which is a life-threatening emergency.
Increased Appetite
If you notice your pet has an increased appetite, especially in cats, this can be a sign of an underlying problem. If your pet has an increased appetite for more than a few days and it is not due to increased activity, call your veterinarian.
Changes in Weight
If you notice that your pet is losing or gaining weight without any changes in activity or diet, you should take your pet in for a physical exam. There are many conditions that cause weight loss that can become life-threatening if not diagnosed and managed properly. There are also medical conditions that cause weight gain that may need to be managed.
Our pets bring a lot of joy to our lives. They are also very good at hiding illness, pain, etc. If you are at all concerned about the health of your pet, contact your veterinarian. One of the biggest mistakes in animal care that pet owners make is taking a sit-and-wait attitude when it is really something that should have been seen days or weeks before. Cats, in particular, are great pretenders. They often don’t show how ill they are until they are in dire straits.
If you are ever on the fence about whether or not you should call your veterinarian, trust your gut and call!
FAQs
Severe pain – This is always an emergency. If your pet is vocalising, panting, limping badly or exhibiting other signs of severe pain, do not delay- get to a vet immediately. Gastrointestinal Signs – Restlessness, unsuccessful attempts at vomiting and abdominal distension are all symptoms of severe gastric pain.
When should you call a vet? ›
Severe pain – This is always an emergency. If your pet is vocalising, panting, limping badly or exhibiting other signs of severe pain, do not delay- get to a vet immediately. Gastrointestinal Signs – Restlessness, unsuccessful attempts at vomiting and abdominal distension are all symptoms of severe gastric pain.
Is it okay to call a vet and ask questions? ›
After Your Pet Gets Care
Your vet will also show you how to give any medications your pal needs. Make sure you return for any recommended follow-up appointments. If you're worried about something, don't be afraid to call and ask. The office staff can either tell you to come back in or give you some peace of mind.
What to say when calling the vet? ›
Script for calling your vet
- Hello my name is ______
- Either “I have *pets name*” if a regular at that clinic, or “I have a *age*, *breed/species* if not a regular at that clinic, or an emergency center.
- If you know the reason for the call, “I need to book an appointment/recheck for *problem*
1) Lead the conversation immediately.
Your greeting should be around 4 seconds. Say this, “Welcome to <Your Veterinary Hospital>. This is <your name>. How may I help your pet today?” Replace the four words of “Thank you for calling…” with “welcome,” which invites callers into conversations.
When to worry about your dog? ›
Pay attention to any changes in your dog's behavior
Seemingly benign symptoms like butt scooting, head shaking, pawing at ears or eyes, drooling and increased water intake, among others, can indicate that there's a medical issue.
When to seek veterinary attention? ›
Signs of an Emergency
There are some problems that require immediate attention. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian as quickly as possible: Open wounds, broken bones, or injury due to trauma. Stopped breathing or unconsciousness.
What not to say to a vet? ›
- I could never do what you do because I love animals too much!
- Why don't you know what is wrong with my pet?
- Then we hear, why isn't my pet better yet?
- Why do I have to bring my dog in again?
- My dog (or cat) would never bite.
What can I expect when I call Vets Now? We'll provide advice over the phone and advise whether your pet needs urgent treatment.
What to do if you think your vet is wrong? ›
To see if your state has a peer review board and to find out how it functions, contact your state veterinary medical association. Lastly, if you continue to have significant concerns, you may submit a complaint to the state veterinary licensing board, which enforces state license laws applicable to veterinarians.
Saying no is fine – so let's work together
So, we should all be working towards better communication. We should always remain open, honest, polite and respectful when having these, often very difficult, conversations about treatment plans.
How do you say thank you to vets? ›
Words are not enough to express the gratitude I hold in my heart for our veterans. Thank you for your service! Thank you for your sacrifices, for your valor, for the things you carry, for protecting us, and for defending our rights.
Can you ask a vet for a quote? ›
(You can always ask your own vet for some price quotes in advance, to get an idea of where on this spectrum they might fall.)
Is just answer vet free? ›
Now, you can see the set monthly membership fees for various types of professionals. As of March 2024, here's how much you can expect to pay per month for JustAnswer depending on the type of professional you need: Veterinarians: $55/month plus $5 join fee. Doctors: $55/month plus $5 join fee.
Can vets talk about their patients? ›
A veterinarian must protect the personal privacy of clients and must not reveal confidences unless required to do so by law or it becomes necessary to protect the health and welfare of other individuals or animals.
When should I be concerned about my dog being sick? ›
It's not always necessary to see your vet the first time your dog throws up, but you'll need to monitor them closely and call your vet for advice if they vomit more than once, seem unwell, or develop any of the symptoms below: Retching (trying to vomit but not bringing anything up) Low energy (lethargy) A bloated tummy.
When should I know to take my dog to the vet? ›
If vomiting is combined with lethargy, poor appetite, and diarrhea, it may be an emergency and requires contacting your veterinarian right away.
How many times should a dog throw up before going to vet? ›
Prompt attention from a veterinarian should be sought if your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day in a row. In addition, you should seek veterinary attention if your dog shows the following symptoms accompanied by vomiting: Loss of appetite. Change in frequency of urination.
Should I contact my vet? ›
The bottom line is this: If you're worried about your animal's health, call your vet. We are here to help you with your pet's care and can identify potential problems. It's always better to report a minor problem than it is to let things escalate to an emergency.
Diarrhea
