You love your dog, but are you willing to spend the kids’ college fund on vet bills? To keep sticker shock in check, discuss costs with your veterinarian before any procedures are performed, and consider a medical policy from an outfit like Veterinary Pet Insurance (www.petinsurance.com).

Keep a folder with lab test results, vet receipts, and vaccination records. You’ll need these if you change vets or if your animal got its shots at the Humane Society. (If you can’t prove your pet has been vaccinated, your vet or an animal hospital can refuse treatment.) Also bring a list of medications or herbal remedies your pet is taking.

Ask about health problems associated with your dog’s breed, such as heart ailments in Great Danes, so you can be on the lookout. And if your pet has a recurring health problem that seems complex, ask your vet if you should see a specialist. “You can get more in-depth treatment from a dermatologist or an oncologist,” says Karen Oberthaler, a resident at the Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.