When Should You Take Your Pet to a Vet?

One of the most common questions we receive from pet owners in Nairobi is: "Is this serious enough to bring my pet in?" Pets can't tell you when something is wrong, and their instincts often lead them to hide pain or discomfort. This guide helps you identify what needs emergency care right now — and what can wait for a routine appointment.

🚨 Symptoms That Require Emergency Vet Care — Call Immediately

If you see any of the following, call Westlands Paws on 0700 762 529 — our emergency line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Difficulty breathing, gasping, or open-mouth breathing in cats
• Collapse or sudden inability to stand or walk
• Seizures or uncontrolled tremors
• Suspected poisoning — rat poison, chocolate, medication, plants
• Pale, white, blue, or yellow gums
• Bloated, hard, or distended abdomen — especially in large breeds
• Severe bleeding that won't stop within 5 minutes
• Unconsciousness or extreme unresponsiveness
• Straining to urinate with no output — especially in male cats (urinary blockage)
• Road accident or trauma — even if the pet appears uninjured initially
• Severe, continuous vomiting or diarrhoea with blood
• Eye injuries or sudden vision loss

⚠️ Symptoms That Need a Vet Within 24 Hours

These are not emergencies in the same way, but should be seen by a vet the same day or the following morning:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea more than twice in 24 hours
• Not eating for more than 24 hours (12 hours for puppies or kittens)
• Limping or reluctance to bear weight on a limb
• Significant swelling anywhere on the body
• Discharge from eyes or ears
• Persistent scratching, hair loss, or skin lesions
• Excessive thirst and urination (can indicate diabetes or kidney disease)
• Notable change in behaviour — hiding, aggression, or unusual lethargy

📅 When to Book a Routine Appointment

• Annual wellness checks and vaccinations — every 12 months minimum
• Weight concerns — over or underweight
• Bad breath or changes in eating habits
• Gradual coat changes or mild dandruff
• Occasional mild vomiting (once, no blood, and the pet is otherwise normal)
• Before travelling internationally with your pet
• Before getting a second pet — health check to protect your existing animals

The Rule of Thumb: When in Doubt, Call

If you are ever uncertain, our veterinary team at Westlands Paws is just a phone call or WhatsApp away. We would rather reassure you that something is fine than have an animal come in too late. Early intervention is almost always less expensive and more likely to succeed than waiting.

Emergency line (24/7): 0700 762 529
WhatsApp: Message us now
Location: 09 Mayfair Maisonattes B2, Mpaka Road, Westlands, Nairobi

Need a Vet in Westlands, Nairobi?

Book an appointment at Westlands Paws — expert, compassionate care for your pet.