By Gina Spadafori

The signs of illness in cats can be particularly subtle, so much so that owners often don't realize their cats are sick until they're really sick -- and sometimes that's too late.

Q: My vet asked me if I wanted a Wellness Test for my dog when he was last in for his Heartworm Test. What is this, and is it important?

Q: My 11 year old dog had a stroke-like attack last month. He became very dizzy and walking as if he was drunk. I rushed him to the vet right away, of course, since I was frightened it was something awful. My vet told me he had Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome. He seems a lot better now. Can you tell me more about this disease? What causes it?

Q: I would like to get a new cat, but am worried about how my other cat will react. How should I introduce them so that they get along?

Q: I have a cat that never goes outdoors. Does it need to go see a vet?

Q: How do I go about choosing a good dog breeder?

Q: My vet has talked to me about something I find weird but intriguing: oral hygiene for dogs/cats. Do people "really" brush their pets' teeth? I can't imagine many pets would enjoy that. How does that work??

Q. Why don’t veterinarians perform vasectomies on dogs instead of neutering them?

Q. Should I have my 6-month old dog spayed now or should I let her have one heat first? A friend once told me my dog would have a better temperament after raising a litter of puppies. What is your opinion?