As many of you know from reading the petblog Scratchings and Sniffings, I have spent my fair amount of time at the veterinarian's. Mostly, I don't mind because the visits are for routine things - yearly exam, vaccinations, maybe because my cat or dog is acting a bit "off." The "off" visits usually turn out to be simple fixes, change in diet for awhile, or just giving my pets a little more attention.

However, when you have to take your dog or cat to the vet's office for an emergency - or a scary "I can't figure out what's wrong and it looks serious" kind of thing, your heart begins to beat hard, you get a little shakey and sweaty, and your imagination runs wild.

Right?

Well, you can be pro-active about emergency issues. If you learn to identify the issues that might require emergency care -- apart from the emergency of car accidents or swallowing something or dog/cat fights -- you can be patient and assured when you bundle your precious up and drive him or her to the vet. Of course, pet health insurance gives you a sense of calm, also. But, what are the conditons or issues that bring on the "we better get her to the vet"?

In no particular order, and with no assurance that this is a complete list, here are a few things to be on the lookout for:

Insect bites. Yes, even cats and dogs can be allergic to bees or other biting insects. And, even if not allergic, if they get bitten on the paw, inflammation and soreness can cause a lot of pain and trouble. Call you vet and see if the vet tech can advise you on how to treat this problem. Be aware of Lyme Disease, something we've discussed before.

Torn nail: My daughter's previous dog, Reznor, had this problem more than once. His issue was a torn dewclaw, but dogs and cats can tear any one of their nails. Again, this requires vet intervention. Calling first may help calm you.

Stomach problems: Carmie had stomach problems that turned out bad. But, her issue was Bloat, and that is very serious. Most stomach problems are minor - like the stomach aches we get, they come from eating something one shouldn't (if your dog or cat goes outdoors, he or she may eat a dead animal, or even ingest a foreign object if it smells tasty). If this goes on for more than one day, you should try to save the vomit - I know it sounds icky, but it helps the vet determine what the problem is - and get your pet and the stomach contents to the vet.

In the end, going to the vet is always the best choice. Don't trust nature to fix things. Nature has no investment in your precious dog or cat. Your vet is there to treat even minor injuries and issues. Again, a phone call may be all you need...but, never hesitate to take the dog or cat in...and, if you have pet health insurance, be fully aware of what's covered, and what isn't.

Your pet's health is in your hands. Their unconditional love will endure for many years, if you are proactive with their health.