Pet Symptom Guide

Forceful expulsion of stomach contents. Occasional vomiting may be normal, but persistent or bloody vomiting requires veterinary attention.

Loose or watery stools. Can range from mild dietary upset to serious gastrointestinal disease.

Favoring one or more limbs, indicating pain or mechanical dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system.

Reduced or absent appetite (anorexia/inappetence). In cats, even 24-48 hours without food can trigger hepatic lipidosis.

Forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. Can indicate respiratory, cardiac, or structural disease.

Persistent itching and scratching beyond normal grooming. Often indicates allergic, parasitic, or infectious skin disease.

Abnormal drowsiness, reduced activity, or unwillingness to engage. A non-specific but important sign of systemic illness.

Labored, rapid, or noisy breathing. This is often an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Increased water consumption (polydipsia) beyond normal levels. Often indicates metabolic or endocrine disease.

Involuntary muscle activity caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. Can range from focal twitching to full-body convulsions.

Abnormal fluid from one or both eyes. Can range from clear tearing to thick green/yellow discharge indicating infection.

Head shaking, ear scratching, discharge, or odor from the ear canal. Common in floppy-eared breeds.

Increased frequency of urination, straining to urinate, or urinating in inappropriate places. Can indicate urinary tract disease.

Unintentional loss of body weight. Often indicates chronic disease, especially if appetite is maintained.

New growths, bumps, or masses on or under the skin. Can be benign (lipomas, cysts) or malignant (mast cell tumors, sarcomas).

Persistent foul odor from the mouth (halitosis). Usually indicates dental disease but can signal systemic illness.

Involuntary shaking or trembling of the body or limbs. Can indicate pain, cold, anxiety, or neurological disease.

Distended or swollen belly. In dogs, can indicate life-threatening gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV/bloat). Always urgent.

Patchy or generalized loss of fur (alopecia). Can be caused by allergies, parasites, hormonal imbalances, or stress.

Infrequent, difficult, or absent bowel movements. More common and potentially serious in cats (megacolon).

Forceful expulsion of air through the nose. Occasional sneezing is normal; persistent sneezing may indicate infection or foreign body.