When to go to the vet

One of the most frustrating aspects of being a pet owner is the inability to properly communicate with our pets. When we sense there is something wrong, we are left helpless, guessing at what the issue may be; your beloved pooch can't open his mouth and tell you he ate half a pound of chocolate. So what do you do when you're not sure if something is medically wrong with your dog? Many websites can help you to decipher your dog's symptoms and form a basic idea of what could be ailing them. However, there are certain times when information just isn't enough. Even a healthy dog may need an emergency veterinarian visit once in a while.

So how do you know if the condition is serious enough to take your pet to the vet? Some owners fear that if they do not take them in, they will be seriously harmed or die. However, other owners fear the sometimes expensive vet bill, even if nothing is wrong with their dog. There are some signs your dog will signal you in case of an emergency or medical issue.

If you notice any of the following, you should call your vet or go to an emergency vet clinic immediately(These are not the only signs! If you witness your pet acting very strangely, call your vet then too!):

• Blue, white or very pale gums
• Labored breathing
• Collapse / loss of consciousness
• Dizziness, imbalance, or circling
• Extremely bloated abdomen
• Seizures
• Signs of acute severe pain (such as crying out excessively)

Sometimes the symptoms may be less severe, but last for a few days. If your pet has any of the following symptoms lasting more than two or three days, contact your vet:

• Poor Appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lameness
• Weakness
• Excessive salivation
• Frequent and/or inappropriate urination
• Constipation
• Excessive scratching or dull, dry, or flaky hair coat
• Wheezing or frequent panting
• Nasal discharge or congestion
• Displays of mild to moderate pain (such as crying when a specific area is touched or action is taken)

As a general rule, you should contact your vet anytime you notice unusual signs for your pet. It is always better to be cautious than to wait too long to provide adequate care for your pet. In my personal pet ownership, I had a cat named Kitty who woke up one morning with a sour attitude. Thinking nothing of it, we let him be and moved on with our day. As the days went by, he kept seeming more and more upset, even moaning from time to time. He wouldn't let any of us touch him or pick him up. Finally, one night the poor dear collapsed near his food bowl and signaled that something was seriously wrong. When we would touch his stomach, he would meow louder but didn't put up much of a fight. At 4 in the morning, we took him to our local vet clinic where they looked him over and told us he needed surgery right away. He had a bladder infection that was near bursting. The lesson of this story is to always take care to notice any signs that may signal your animal is in trouble. If we would have paid more attention to his unusual actions, we would have been able to take him to the vet before he was in so much pain.

Taking an animal to the vet is never fun, but sometimes it is necessary. Don't put off calling for another day; think about how you would feel if your parents would have waited to take you to the doctor until you'd had the flu for a week or more. Love your pets!