In the last 24 hours, our 14-year-old cat has started breathing very heavily. He is clearly in some distress. Our vet is away on a holiday break, and it is Sunday so we are not sure of what we can do.

Our pets rely on us to take care of them when they’re sick or injured. But if we’re not prepared, panic and confusion can hinder our ability to act appropriately when they need us most. The best way ...