If you notice your pet isn't feeling well, but you put off visiting to the veterinarian, you could cause your veterinary bills to escalate.

Treatment of most illnesses will be less costly if caught early. Case in point, a cat with a little sneeze could easily be treated with a 10-day course of antibiotics; however, if left untreated, the cat may develop a full-blown upper respiratory infection and could become dehydrated, requiring around-the-clock observation and intravenous fluids costing over $100 per day.

For dog owners, this is a newer development aside from kennel cough, for which there is a vaccination. Canine influenza has recently surfaced in Connecticut, it is necessary for dog owners to seek medical attention for their pets before it is too late.

According to the Fox Memorial Clinic, most pet fatalities from respiratory disease are caused by obtaining veterinary care too late. Some pet owners have been left with an $800 veterinary bill, but no pet to bring home.

The clinic suggests selecting the right family veterinarian for your pet early on. It is important that you like your veterinarian because people are much less likely to seek advice and treatment for their pet if they do not have positive interactions with their veterinarian.

When to wait and when not to

• If it's 4 p.m. and your pet is vomiting, call your family veterinary office before it closes rather than seeking after-hours care at an emergency clinic, which can cost up to 50 percent more.
• Watch your pet: If they act different or strange, don’t ignore them. If a pet is drinking, urinating or sleeping more or less than usual, call your vet.
If you notice that your pet is especially lethargic, will not eat or is vomiting, waiting a few days to see if "it clears itself up" could put your pet at greater risk and cost more money to cure.
• Take a pet first-aid course. The American Red Cross offers certified pet first-aid classes throughout the country. Not only will this benefit you and your pet in case of an emergency, it will also teach you how to take your pet’s temperature, how to prepare a pet first aid kit and many more helpful tips for pet owners who want to be well-informed.
• Investigate pet insurance: Although it is still not widely used, it is an option for pet owners. There is plenty of information available at your veterinarian’s office and online to make an informed decision.