My dog is ill: what should you do before or during the show?

If he is struggling to breathe, collapses, has convulsions, tries repeatedly to vomit without success or has a swollen belly, contact a vet immediately. Suspected poisoning or an inability to urinate also require urgent care. [1]

Here are nine tips, split into three levels. The levels relate to your preparation, never to the possibility of treating an illness on your own.

Beginner — Making the right decisions

1. Give up on the ring if he is ill

Don't try "just a quick run" before getting advice. If symptoms appear at the show, stop the preparation and tell the organiser.

The official benchmark: dogs that are temporarily ill or have a contagious disease must be excluded from FCI international CACIB shows. [2]

2. Call a vet for guidance

Describe the symptoms and when they appeared. At the venue, ask at reception where the vet service is, if there is one. In an emergency, don't delay treatment in order to sort out formalities.

A useful sentence: "My dog has been vomiting since this morning and seems very down. Where should I take him?" [1]

3. Avoid self-medicating

Don't give a human medicine to help him last until the judging. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, in particular, can poison dogs.

The right reflex: ask a vet for advice before giving anything. [3]

Intermediate — Making care easier

1. Prepare precise observations

Note how often he vomits or has diarrhoea, his appetite, how much water he drinks and his activity level. Mention any medicines already taken and anything suspicious he may have swallowed.

What to avoid: delaying the trip to an urgent consultation in order to finish your notes. [1]

2. Let him rest

Stop rehearsals, trotting and unnecessary demands. Settle him in a quiet, comfortable place while you wait for the vet's instructions.

Careful: rest goes alongside treatment; it is not enough to treat an illness. [1]

3. Limit contact with other dogs

Until the cause is known, keep him away from gatherings and avoid shared bowls. This practical precaution is particularly relevant when an infection is possible.

The reflex at a show: explain the situation to the team so that you can withdraw without unnecessarily crossing busy areas. [1, 2]

Advanced — Preparing for recovery and what comes next

1. Plan the useful contacts before every trip

Save your vet's number and that of an emergency service near the show venue. Keep the information about his treatments easy to reach.

The small but valuable gain: knowing who to call avoids searching for a clinic when your dog is unwell. [1]

2. Ask for clear monitoring instructions

Before going home, have the care, feeding and hydration arrangements spelt out, along with the signs that mean you should call again. If his condition gets worse, contact the vet without waiting for the planned check-up.

Example: persistent vomiting, blood or marked listlessness call for rapid veterinary advice. [1]

3. Plan the return to showing with the vet

Ask when your dog can resume travelling and activity, and whether he is still a contagion risk. Don't treat a temporary improvement as the only proof of recovery.

Your aim: to resume in good conditions, with a dog who has recovered sufficiently and is fit to take part. [1, 2]

Postponing a show is sometimes the best preparation for the next one.

What the rules say

For international shows awarding the FCI CACIB, chapter 4 gives priority to welfare and health. It provides for the exclusion of dogs that are ill, even temporarily, or have a contagious disease. [2]

The medical advice above is meant to guide your first reflexes. Diagnosis and treatment are a matter for the vet.