Health & symptoms
This is a conservative signposting aid, not a diagnosis, clinical triage service or a guarantee that waiting is safe. It cannot examine your dog. If unsure or worried, phone a vet.
Veterinary help in your selected country
Phone your usual vet; their recorded message should explain out-of-hours arrangements. If unavailable, contact a local emergency veterinary hospital. Confirm that it can receive your dog before travelling if possible; do not delay urgent care. Human emergency numbers are not veterinary helplines.
Open country-specific veterinary contactsBrowse by symptom
Breathing difficulty
Emergency — call now
Collapse / unconsciousness
Emergency — call now
Seizure / shaking episode
Emergency — call now
Repeated retching / swollen abdomen
Emergency — call now
Unable to urinate / straining
Emergency — call now
Heavy bleeding
Emergency — call now
Serious injury / road accident
Emergency — call now
Eye injury / sudden sight change
Emergency — call now
Overheating / heat exposure with illness
Emergency — call now
Possible poisoning / swallowed object
Emergency — call now
Vomiting
Urgent — contact your vet today
Diarrhoea / loose stool
Urgent — contact your vet today
Reduced appetite / unusual tiredness
Urgent — contact your vet today
Limping / stiffness
Urgent — contact your vet today
Itching / skin or ear concern
Urgent — contact your vet today
Changed thirst / urination
Urgent — contact your vet today
Cough / new breathing noise
Urgent — contact your vet today
Other symptom / uncertain
Urgent — contact your vet today
Medicines safety
Do not give human medicines, leftover prescriptions or another animal’s treatment. Do not change prescribed treatment without veterinary advice. Do not force food or water into a distressed dog.
Sources and review
- PDSA: first aid
- PDSA: vomiting
- PDSA: diarrhoea
- PDSA: unable to urinate
- PDSA: seizures
- PDSA: harmful ingestion
Editorial review: 20 September 2026. Sources checked for the stated guidance; no veterinary certification of this tool.