Ask a vet online......

Do you want to ask a vet a question about your puppy or dog`s health, but aren`t sure if you need to make the 30 minute (or an hour!) round trip and spend $50 or more to get the answer?

Is the problem a non-urgent one, not an emergency and not about a serious illness or injury that could pose a real threat to your pup`s life?

If so, this page will help you get the help you  need, with a couple of clicks of your mouse!

When & Why Using An Online Vet Service Makes Sense

Keeping your puppy healthy and happy is one of the most importanttasks new owners face, and if you`re new at this puppy-parentingbusiness, it can be a bit of a challenge!

Although veterinarians rarely over-charge for a consult orprocedure, their high overheads and the rising costs of medications andtechnology mean that even a routine visit can be costly.

For most of us, there will be always be those niggling questionsthat crop up from time to time. The ones that worry us just enough tolook for advice, but not enough to send us rushing to the veterinarian`soffice with Fido tucked under our arm.

THESE are the times when using an online veterinary advice service can make life easier - for everyone.

Here is what a couple of happy `Ask A Vet` customers have said about this online option......

Ask Your Online Vet Question Here.....

It`s so easy to get the help you need! All you need to do is enter your question/concern into the box below and hit `Get An Answer`.

An online veterinarian will get back to you (often within an hour) and for a lot less than it would cost you for an actual appointment.

BUT, please remember, this type of online vet service is NOT appropriate for a puppy or dog who is really sick, injured or showing signs of serious distress!

If you are in doubt as to whether or not the situation is anemergency... then I`d strongly recommend assuming that it IS, andgetting your pet to a veterinarian`s (24 hour clinic if necessary) rightaway.

Although veterinary care isn`t cheap, in some cases it`s absolutely essential and I always suggest that you err on the side of caution, and get hands-on help if you`re worried.

For first time puppy, or dog, owners (and even sometimes for experienced ones) it can be tricky to tell if your pup is in real trouble or not - and whether you need to ask a vet for an appointment, or get there right away!

To help you make that call, I`ve put together a list of some of the dog health symptoms that you should never ignore, and which demand a real-life veterinary evaluation asap....

When To Take Your Puppy To A Vet

• Watery or bloody diarrhea - Repeated diarrhea, especially if it`s very watery or contains blood, can be a symptom of several serious dog illnesses. It could be caused by eating something he shouldn`t or a minor tummy upset, but never take a chance.You can find more information on this subject on my Puppy Diarrheapage, BUT if your pup or dog (particularly young, unvaccinated puppies)has diarrhea like this don`t waste any time, get him to yourveterinarian right away.


• Repeated vomiting - As with the diarrhea above,repeated vomiting (to the point where your pet can`t hold down food orwater, or won`t eat or drink) needs immediate, professional evaluation.It can also be a sign of serious illness, and even if this is not thecase, dehydration can result quite quickly and cause problems all byitself.Again, you can find more information about this problem on my Puppy Vomiting page, but it`s important to get vet help right away if you find yourself in this situation.


• Distended belly and dry `heaving` - `Bloat` or`Torsion` is a condition where your dog`s stomach basically `flips over`causing a total obstruction in the digestive system. It`s most commonin large and giant breeds, particularly those with deep chests such asGreat Danes, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds and similar breeds. But, itcan occur in any breed, of any size and conformation.

  Symptoms are distended belly, often accompanied by gagging ordry-heaving, unsuccessful straining to poop, and serious distressindicated by panting, pacing, whining.. eventually followed by collapseand death (if not treated quickly). Any symptoms like this should betreated as a life-or-death situation and emergency veterinary care isneeded.You can learn more about this condition on this webpage... Canine Bloat.



• Other Assorted Symptoms - There are too manypossibilities for me to mention all of them here, but a few othersymptoms that really need you to ask a vet for help face to face,include......

• Difficulty breathing
• Discharge from the nose with sneezing/coughing
• Swelling of the face/head
• Collapse or extreme dizziness, disorientation or loss of balance/co-ordination
• Total refusal to eat/drink for 12 hours or more (if there are other symptoms of illness, don`t wait 12 hours, get your pup/dog to a vet immediately)
• Severe lethargy or weakness

In short - if you`re in doubt about whether or not it could be serious,err on the side of caution. Go ahead and get your pet a hands-onexamination and ask your vet for a diagnosis and treatment options.

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