If you are like most of us, your pet is a part of your family, so you will want him or her to have as good a life as possible, and to do everything you can to keep them healthy and happy. Prompt treatment of illness is very important: your pet will recover more quickly if you get them treated as soon as possible.

Signs to look out for that might indicate a problem are:

1) Vomiting: your dog or cat might vomit once in a while, but if they vomit more than once or twice within a day, or if they seem very under the weather, it is probably worth getting them checked over.

2) Diarrhoea: this is a common problem in dogs and cats. If diarrhoea persists for more than 48 hours, you should get your pet checked over and treated.

3) Drinking: normally your dog or cat will drink a variable amount depending on age or diet, but if this increases suddenly you should get them checked over.

4) Limping: this can occur due to minor injury, or to more major injury or infection. If lameness seems severe or your pet seems to be in pain, or if mild lameness persists for more than 48 hours, you should bring them in for a check.

5) Eating: lack of appetite (anorexia) can be a symptom of many diseases. If your pet stops eating it is always worth getting them checked out. This of course doesn't include fussy dogs that are just waiting for a treat!

6) Coughing: an occasional cough is nothing to worry about, but any persistent cough should be immediately investigated.

7) Exercise intolerance: as dogs get older they may gradually become less active. However if your dog or cat suddenly seems more tired than they were, or gets easily out of breath during exercise, you should bring them in as soon as possible for a check.

8) Coat and skin: your dog or cat should normally have a full coat, with no thin or bald patches. Skin should be mostly pale and smooth, although areas with darker pigmentation are not necessarily abnormal. Moulting is completely normal throughout the year as long as it doesn't lead to thin or bald patches.

Scaliness, discharge, redness or thickening of the skn almost always indicates a problem and should be investigated.

9) Ears: the ear flaps should have pale, slightly shiny skin on the inside. Very small amounts of wax are normally visible just at the opening of the ear canal but excessive amounts of discharge, redness of thickening of the skin and any irritation (head shaking or scratching) are abnormal and warrant a veterinary check.

10) Eyes: your dog or cat's eyes should be bright; the surface should be completely clear with no marks or cloudiness. If you notice any change to this, or you notice that your pet is closing one or both eyes more than normal, or any increased discharge from the eyes, you should get them checked over.

11) Lumps: any lump which you have not previously noticed, or a vet has not already checked out should always be checked, however small.