Allergies can also warrant a visit to the vet. Among small breeds, they are especially common in the Scottish, West Highland white, cairn, and wire-haired fox terriers, as well as the Lhasa apso and bichon frise. Here are some of the ways you can tell if a dog has allergies:

• Chewing their feet

• Scratching their body

• Rubbing their face on the rug or furniture

• Chronic ear infections

• Hair loss

• Red, raw skin

• Rashes and hives

Skin lesions often result from all that chewing and scratching. Such mutilation can lead to secondary infections that need to be treated with antibiotics. Skin problems and itching are the most common signs of allergies in dogs.

Allergens that cause reactions in our dogs include the following:

• Plants such as grass, weeds, and trees, as well as their pollen

• Household fabrics like wool or nylon

• Rubber and plastics

• Foods, including dog food

• Dust and dust mites

• Flea saliva

• Insect bites

In small dogs, the stings of bees, wasps, and ants can cause a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylactic shock. This is the most urgent allergic reaction a dog can face and requires immediate veterinary intervention. Stings and bites can quickly swell up and the dog may experience trouble breathing. Other allergic reactions include pale gums, a weak pulse, increased heart rate, fever, cold extremities, trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, and collapse.

Accidents and injuries often call for an emergency vet visit. If your little dog is hurt, be careful when approaching it. An animal in pain will bite the hand that tries to help it, even that of its beloved caretaker. You may need to use a muzzle for your dog's safety as well as for your own. If the dog is not moving, something could be fractured, so it is best to slide it onto a rigid board to transport it to the vet.

The most urgent situations — bleeding, difficulty in breathing, inability to stand or walk, or loss of consciousness — call for rapid intervention. Monitor your dog's demeanor following any accident or injury, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. When in doubt about your dog's condition, it's always better to be safe than sorry.