Dogs and cats are more like humans than you think. Like their human owners, they suffer from dental problems, can suffer from depression and get afflicted with diseases of old age like heart disease and arthritis. If you have a pet at home, scheduling routine visits to your local animal hospital is a good idea. Qualified vets can diagnose diseases and life-threatening conditions at the onset.  By treating any condition early on, the pet owner can save the considerable expenses for treatment if the condition worsens.