Symptom checker
Pick the signs you're seeing. We'll highlight conditions to discuss with your vet, with urgency triage. This is not a diagnosis — only your vet can diagnose.
Or tap where the problem is
Tap a body region — we'll jump to the matching sign chips below.
Common owner questions
When is my dog's condition a true emergency?
Take your dog to a vet immediately if you see: difficulty breathing, collapse, seizure lasting more than 3 minutes, unproductive retching with a distended abdomen (bloat / GDV), suspected poisoning, heavy uncontrolled bleeding, heatstroke, snake bite, or major trauma. See the Emergency & first aid chapter for full triage.
Should I induce vomiting if I think my dog ate something toxic?
Not without vet guidance. Never induce vomiting for caustic substances, petroleum products, sharp objects, unconscious dogs, or when more than 2 hours have passed. Call the nearest vet immediately with the toxin details.
Is my dog's cough a real emergency?
Persistent cough plus difficulty breathing, blue gums, collapse, or fluid discharge is an emergency. Occasional coughing without other signs may point to kennel cough, chronic bronchitis, or cardiac disease — see a vet within 24 hours to identify the cause.
My dog is scratching a lot — what should I check?
Fleas (check hindquarters + tail base), sarcoptic or demodectic mange (localised or generalised hair loss), atopic dermatitis (chronic itch in some breeds), or food allergy. Any persistent scratch with self-trauma or skin lesions warrants a vet visit.
My puppy has bloody diarrhoea — is it parvovirus?
Bloody diarrhoea in an unvaccinated or partly-vaccinated puppy is a true emergency. Parvovirus is endemic in many regions and rapidly fatal without aggressive supportive care. Go to a vet immediately.
How urgent is a snake bite?
Immediate emergency. Many regions have medically-significant venomous snakes whose bite can be fatal within hours. Keep your dog calm, immobilise the bitten limb, and rush to any vet or human hospital with antivenom — and learn which venomous species occur where you live.