Sometimes all dogs get sick. Their tummies hurt, they get colds, eat bad food or street treats (often found during walks).

When I get stomach oogies sometimes go potty in the house. I’ve learned to use my Wee Wee Pads at night so I don’t have to wake my daddies. This works out well for all of us.

How do you know when it’s time to call the vet?

My daddy will call the vet when he’s really concerned about me. If I act sick and lethargic for more than a day. Or if I have two seizures in a row.

Also if I don’t eat for more than a day, then he’s worried enough to call for advice. I almost never turn down food.

Usually it is recommended you bring your dog in. I hate this and try to avoid the vet whenever possible.

Here’s a list of pet emergencies. I found them at PetPlace.

• Seizures, especially if more than one in a row, or lasting a long time
• Difficulty breathing
• Non-responsive or comatose (very scary)
• Uncontrollable bleeding (messy and scary)
• Extreme pain
• Continued vomiting, especially with blood (yucky and scary)
• If your pet was struck by a car or some other vehicle (freaky time)
• Ingesting poisonous material or improper medication (keep an eye on what your dog is getting into)
• Bloody stools
• Collapse (in a heap)

Keep your vet’s phone number handy. Also the nearest emergency vet. My daddies have had to visit an emergency vet on nights and weekends when their regular vet was unavailable. This is expensive and unpleasant for all concerned.

Let’s hope you never have to visit a vet in an emergency. I know I want to avoid it if at all possible.