As a pet owner...

 You must communicate your pet's health to your veterinarian through your awareness of small changes in your pet's behavior or habits.

  Before bringing a pet into your home, prepare a special place for it to eat and sleep. Obtain any necessary accessories (such as collar and tag, leash, scratching post, litter box, bird cage, etc.) before you bring your pet home. Pet-proof your home to avoid accidents.

  When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.

  In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address and phone number), your pet's collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally.

  Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, unusual lumps, limping, loss of appetite, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.