A vet has outlined the six symptoms in dogs that require immediate attention.

Bringing a dog into your home can be an incredibly rewarding experience, with these loyal and joyful creatures quickly becoming integral members of the family.

However, owning a dog is not without its stresses, as they are susceptible to a range of health issues. According to The Kennel Club, some of the most common problems include ear infections, gum disease, obesity, overgrown nails and anal sac impaction.

It's crucial for pet owners to distinguish between emergencies requiring immediate attention and less urgent issues. To help clarify this, the team at Nithsdale Vets, a veterinary practice with locations in Dumfries and Thornhill and Dumfries and Galloway, created a humorous TikTok video.

The clip features a black Labrador sitting centre frame as symptoms appear on screen, categorised as either "emergency" or "not an emergency."

The dog then moves to the left or right hand side of the screen to illustrate which symptoms fall into either category. Captioning the sweet clip, Nithsdale Vets penned: "Recognising symptoms when your pet is unwell it's very important. Please enjoy this little video to help have a better understanding of when to recognise an emergency and seek veterinary care for your furry friend."

Emergency symptoms

The following symptoms were listed as emergencies which require attention in dogs, as well as two symptoms to be mindful of in cats:

• Toxic ingestion
• Collapsing
• Heat stroke
• Female dog unwell after having puppies
• Cats with laboured breathing
• Male cat struggling/unable to urinate

Non-emergency symptoms

The below symptoms were included as concerns many dog owners often raise with their vet, but they're not classed as emergencies and don't require urgent veterinary attention:

• Sore skin
• Anal glands need to be emptied
• Claws need clipping
• Lameness
• Diarrhoea with no other "severe" symptoms
• Vaccinations

The video racked up thousands of views and likes, with people expressing their gratitude in the comments section.

Before getting a dog or another pet, it's important to do your research and prepare. It's also worth bearing in mind that training is essential, and not all dogs or other pets are suitable for first time owners.

If you're looking to welcome a dog into your home, consider the benefits of adopting a puppy or dog from a charity or local shelter instead of shopping from a breeder.