Sick / Illness Exam

Your pet's vomiting may indicate an illness or that they've just eaten something that's upset their tummy. It's important to pay attention tot he color, frequency, and appearance of your pet's vomit.

If your pet only vomits occasionally, this is an issue to bring up with your general practice vet at your next check-up. If the vomiting is increasing in frequency or related to the consumption of an unknown food, an urgent care facility is appropriate.

If your pet consumed a toxic food like grapes or chocolate, or is vomiting frequently with high volumes, please bring them to the urgent care or emergency room!

If your pet has occasional diarrhea, it could be simply due to something they ate, or a lack of fiber in their diet. For these one-off loose bowel movements, you can wait to discuss it with your veterinarian during your pet’s next wellness visit.

Similar to vomiting, if your pet’s diarrhea is frequent and occurring in large quantities, it is a good idea to book a sick appointment with your family vet. 

If your pet seems to have lose control of their bowel movements or the diarrhea is related to a toxic food consumption, please take them to your local emergency pet hospital.   

If you find blood on or around your pet but cannot think of how they may have injured themselves, it could be a source of concern and warrant a trip to your veterinarian. If you only see it once, and the amount of blood found is small, there is probably no need to worry. If you find a large amount or are finding spots of blood regularly then it is important to get your pet fully checked out.

Blood found in your pet’s feces and/or urine should be investigated immediately. Similarly for any signs of damage to the mouth, eyes, or ears

Due to their active lifestyle and time spent outdoors, there could be many factors causing your pet to limp ranging from a thorn in the paw to a broken bone. If you notice your pet limping, it is best to take them to your nearest urgent care facility.  

If your pet is struggling to move at all or is moving in an unusual pattern (like crawling, sliding, swaying, or continuously falling) please take them to your nearest emergency care hospital. 

Although it can look cute when your pet scoots their way across the floor, this behavior is typically a sign of digestive or anal gland problems. One occasional scoot may just mean your dog or cat ate something that didn’t quite agree with them, but persistent scooting should be checked out during a sick appointment with your veterinarian.  

Pets have their own way of communicating with their human families. Whether they are hungry, need the bathroom, or simply want some attention, they may voice this with a whimper, bark, purr, or cry. When you cannot link your pets crying to a specific need, or their noises are accompanied by other symptoms, like lethargy, a visit to the vet is good idea. 

Depending on the type of food your pet eats, their breath could get a little stinky directly after a meal (especially with wet pet foods). However, persistent foul smells from the mouth can be a sign of dental problems or gum disease.

Unusual smell around your pet’s ears is typically a sign of an ear infection and should be treated at your primary care veterinarian or an urgent care facility depending on severity and longevity of the infection. 

Rashes on pets are very common and can have a wide variety of causes ranging from an easily cured flea infestations and seasonal allergies, to more serious cancers and organ malfunctions. If you notice a rash appear on your pet after visiting a new environment or the rash is soothed after a calming wash, there is no need to worry.  

A visit to your primary care veterinarian or urgent care clinic is a good idea if your pet’s rash or lump is growing, spreading, secreting puss and/or blood, or is still present after several days.  

Discharge or puss is a common indication of irritation, allergies, and/or infection. If your pet has the occasional eye goop (rheum) after a good long sleep, there is likely not much to worry about. But if your cat or dog has persistent mucus collecting around their eyes, nose, or ears, they should be checked out by your primary care veterinarian to find and treat the root cause. 

All pets get sleepy after a long day of running, playing, and entertaining their humans. Older pets in particular tend to become more lethargic with age. If your pet is unusually tired, lacking energy after little exercise, or hiding away in quite corners when they are typically very social, it could be a sign that they are sick.

We recommend bring your pet to urgent care if their lethargic symptoms continue for more than 24 hours or if you notice any other signs of illness emerging alongside lethargy.

If your pet collapses, struggles to stand up or walk, or refuses to eat or drink, please take them to your nearest emergency care hospital.

Appetite levels are very closely linked to a pet’s overall health and wellbeing. There is a wide variety of factors that can lead to food avoidance in pets, so it is important to pay attention to any other symptoms they may be displaying to help gauge the urgency of seeking veterinary help.

A sick appointment with your family vet is appropriate if your pet is still eating, just in smaller quantities than usual, and drinking normal amounts of water. It could be something as simple as a dislike for the type of food, or anxiety over changes in their environment. 

Urgent Care is appropriate if your pet’s decrease in appetite is accompanied by occasional vomiting, diarrhea, and/or lethargy. If you pet has not eaten or drank anything for 24 hours, then a trip to an emergency veterinary hospital is a good idea.