How the checker decides
Each symptom is sorted into one of four levels, based on standard veterinary triage principles. The most urgent symptom decides the result, and a few combinations raise the urgency — for example, vomiting or diarrhoea in a kitten or puppy is more serious than in an adult, and any urinary straining in a male cat is treated as an emergency.
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Emergency | Call and travel now — every hour matters |
| 🟠 Within 24 hours | Should be seen today or by tomorrow at the latest |
| 🟡 Book soon | Book a visit in the next few days |
| 🟢 Monitor | Watch at home; come in if it gets worse or doesn’t improve in 24–48 hours |
Red flags that are always emergencies
- Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing in a cat, blue or very pale gums
- Collapse, unresponsiveness, or a seizure longer than 5 minutes (or several in a row)
- A male cat straining to urinate with little or nothing coming out
- Suspected poisoning — rat poison, insecticide, paracetamol, lilies (cats), chocolate or xylitol (dogs)
- Swollen, hard belly with retching (bloat)
- Heavy bleeding, deep wounds, road accidents or falls from height
- Straining in labour for over an hour with no kitten or puppy born
- Heatstroke — heavy panting, drooling, collapse in hot weather
If in doubt, call
This checker is a guide, not a diagnosis. You know your pet best: if something feels wrong, call 01783-121256 — the line is answered day and night. For far-away districts, our telemedicine service can help you decide whether to make the trip.