If your dog ever has a medical issue and you're unsure whether he needs to see the veterinarian, it doesn't hurt to call. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you whether you should come in for an emergency appointment or what you should do to handle the situation yourself.

Get into the habit of observing your dog every day for changes that may signal distress. Look closely at his posture, gait, and coat, and notice any irregularities in his behavior, activity level, eliminations, or appetite. You'll be surprised at the changes you might see from day to day.

This information will enable you to spot a potential health issue in the early stages and to know when it is something serious that needs a veterinarian's attention rather than something you can tend to on your own. In natural medicine, good health begins with prevention and the balance of body systems — mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Anything out of the ordinary is a sign of a bigger problem.

Taking Your Dog's Temperature

Knowing your dog's temperature is the first step in determining if your dog has a serious illness. To take his temperature you'll need a rectal thermometer. Shake it a few times until the reading is below 99°F (approximately 37.3°C); if you have a digital thermometer, you won't need to shake it. Lubricate the bulb end with lubricating jelly and hold your dog's tail while you gently slide the thermometer into your dog's rectum. Remove the thermometer after 1 minute or when the digital thermometer beeps.

Measuring Pain

Unlike people, dogs don't usually moan or complain if they are in pain. They suffer quietly and keep to themselves. In the wild this was necessary to prevent predators from detecting any weakness. Today it's up to you to identify the source of your dog's discomfort. That's why it's so important to notice changes in your dog's behavior, body language, and temperature. These signs may indicate that your dog is in pain:

• Arching the back or holding the front legs out away from the body

• Constantly biting or licking at one place on his body

• Dilated pupils

• Hiding in the yard or a corner of the house

• Limping longer than a day

• No interest in food or water

• Pacing and restlessness

• Panting excessively

• Unwillingness to move or lethargy

• Whimpering or growling

Vomiting and Regurgitating

At some point in your dog's life, he will vomit, regurgitate, gag, or let food and water drop out of his mouth. The first time that any of these occur can be alarming, but once you can tell the difference between a one-time event and a serious problem, you'll be able to treat your dog without panicking.

If you're thinking of contacting your veterinarian, correctly describing your dog's stomach upset symptoms will help her arrive at a diagnosis. Before your dog vomits you may notice drooling and heaving abdominal muscles. When he regurgitates there's no drooling or heaving, but a little chewed up solid food or liquid will bounce back. If he gags or hacks up mucus, fluids, or foamy liquid, it's probably just a cough. Dropping food or water or continually trying to swallow may look like regurgitation, but the dropped food is usually whole pieces. Perhaps he doesn't like what he's eating or his throat, mouth, or teeth are bothering him.

Broken Bones and Limping

If your dog runs into a solid surface, is hit by a car, or falls from a high location, it's possible he has a fracture and needs medical attention. More than likely he won't be able to walk on a broken leg and may yelp if you touch the injured leg. While some fractures are more serious than others, your dog needs to see the veterinarian right away for any broken bone.

Chances are his leg isn't broken when your dog limps. But if he won't let you touch the leg or if the limping persists for most of the day, your dog needs to see a veterinarian. These could be signs of ligament damage or a broken leg.