When you suspect something is wrong with your pet, the obvious move is to take it to the vet. But there are times when that's not as simple as it sounds.

Perhaps it's the middle of the night and you aren't sure the situation warrants a visit to the pet emergency room. Or maybe the nearest vet is too far away, such as on the island of Molokai, where there are no full-time veterinarians and the Humane Society has had to learn to handle as many types of animal issues as possible. Even if you have a terrific vet right down the road from you, what if something happens when he's out of town? Or what if you're traveling with your pet?

The bottom line is that a responsible pet owner should have some basic knowledge when it comes to pet health. Understanding what signs to look for when you think your pet might be injured or sick, knowing what his vitals should be, and being aware of the information your vet needs in order to treat your pet are all important, and we've got two books that will help you learn it.

Veterinary Guide for Animal Owners, Second Edition
This 400-plus page reference, by Dr. C.E. Spaulding and Jackie Clay, is a comprehensive manual for identifying and handling a wide variety of medical issues affecting cats, dogs, cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and rabbits. For each type of animal, the book covers everything from birth to diseases to first aid, giving helpful tips on managing problems until your vet can step in. 

We focused on the cat and dog sections, and though a good portion of the information is stuff a seasoned pet owner should know, there was still plenty for us to learn, including solid information on caring for orphaned puppies and kittens and the recommendation that, more often than not, you shouldn't bandage your pet's wounds.

Bonus: The book is written in plain language that nonveterinary professionals can understand, and the glossary will give you the precise language and definitions you need.


The Safe Dog Handbook 
Rather than being written from the perspective of a veterinarian, this guide by Melanie Monteiro comes from a woman who had a puppy that encountered every type of problem imaginable. The book is her way of helping other dog owners, especially first-timers, avoid potential problems and emergencies.

"The Safe Dog Handbook" covers just about every dog-related topic you can think of: Puppy proofing, feeding, travel, little-known poisons and other threats and common health issues. The last chapter focuses on emergency first aid with 39 pages of instruction and illustrations. There are two appendices that provide invaluable information, including a list of toxic plants, unsafe foods for your dog and resources for everything from first-aid supplies to food, pet-safe products, animal-related organizations and more.

Bonus: The images are just too cute. The book is filled with adorable pictures of playful puppies and happy dogs. Plus, the instructions for CPR on small and large dogs are super helpful. If you still need more, Monteiro has lots of videos showing safety tips on YouTube.

If you want more hands-own experience and guidance in pet care, consider taking a Red Cross Pet First Aid class. They are taught all over the country.