Is This Something I Need to Call the Vets About?

One of the most common questions our team hears is:

“I’m not sure if this is something I need to bring my pet in for.”

Sometimes the answer is obvious. If your dog has collapsed, your cat is struggling to breathe or your pet has been seriously injured, they need veterinary attention promptly.

But what about the things that aren’t quite so clear?

Your pet has started licking their paw. Your cat has vomited once but is now happily eating. You’ve noticed a small lump that wasn’t there before. Your dog seems a little quieter than normal, but is still eating and going for walks.

These are the sorts of situations where it can be difficult to know what to do next.

You know your pet better than anyone

One of the most useful things you can tell our vets is what has changed.

You don’t need to be able to identify what is wrong. That’s our job.

Instead, think about what is different from your pet’s normal behaviour.

Are they:

• eating or drinking differently?
• going to the toilet more or less often?
• sleeping more?
• reluctant to jump, climb stairs or go for a walk?
• licking or scratching somewhere repeatedly?
• coughing, sneezing or breathing differently?
• vomiting or having diarrhoea?
• hiding more than usual?
• behaving differently towards you or other pets?

Sometimes the change is subtle, particularly with cats.

A cat that is sleeping a little more, grooming less or becoming quieter may not look obviously ill. But these small changes can be useful clues for our vets.

What if you’re not sure whether it’s worth making an appointment?

This is where getting in touch with our team can be useful.

For non-urgent or time-dependent queries, you can contact Milton Keynes Veterinary Group through PetsApp.

You can tell us what you’ve noticed, and where appropriate, include photographs or videos. A photograph of a skin problem, a video of an unusual movement or a picture of a lump can give our team useful information before your pet is seen.

It doesn’t mean that a photograph or message can replace an examination. There are plenty of things our vets need to see and feel in person.

But having some background information can help our team understand the problem and work out the next step.

Sometimes a video can tell us more than a description

Imagine your dog has started doing something strange when walking.

Trying to describe it can be surprisingly difficult.

“His back legs sort of wobble.”

“He seems stiff but only when he first gets up.”

If you have been able to safely record the behaviour, a short video can be extremely helpful.

The same applies to things such as coughing, unusual breathing, episodes of weakness or changes in the way your pet moves.

Our vets may still need to examine your pet, but seeing the behaviour can provide another piece of the puzzle.

What about repeat prescriptions?

PetsApp can also be used for repeat prescription requests, making it easier to contact our team without needing to phone the practice.

It’s particularly useful if you realise you are getting towards the end of your pet’s medication and need to arrange a repeat.

Remember that prescription requests still need to be reviewed and authorised appropriately, so don’t leave medication until the last minute.

When shouldn’t you use PetsApp?

PetsApp is intended for non-urgent queries.

If your pet is having difficulty breathing, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has suffered a significant injury or you are concerned that they are seriously unwell, don’t wait for a response through an app.

Call the practice so that our team can advise you appropriately.

You don’t need to know what’s wrong

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to diagnose your pet before contacting us.

If something doesn’t seem right, tell us what you’ve noticed.

Our vets and veterinary nurses are there to help work out whether your pet needs an appointment, whether something can be monitored at home or whether further investigation is needed.

And if you’re unsure, that’s exactly what we’re here for.

Have you got PetsApp?

For non-urgent or time-dependent queries, you can contact the Milton Keynes Veterinary Group team through PetsApp. You can also use the app to request appointments, order repeat prescriptions and share photographs or videos with our team.

If you haven’t registered yet, it’s worth setting it up before you need it — particularly if you have a question about your pet outside of a routine appointment.