We love our pets, so when something isn't right, we want answers fast. But heading to the veterinarian can be expensive — especially if your fluffer is sick in the wee hours of the night. Pearl.com [1] is an online collection of thousands of professionals, from lawyers to veterinarians, available when needed. And they offer a pet-friendly "peace of mind" package [2] for $59, which provides pet owners with the ability to ask three online questions.

The Question

Sounds awesome, but does it deliver? Pearl.com gave us a free pass to ask questions of vets, so we decided to put them to the test. First up? A fellow editor's pup recently caught her tail in a door, resulting in a tucked tail and a sad puppy mama. We sent a question asking how to care for the dog's tail as well as if it may be broken at 9:30 am on a Tuesday morning. Ten minutes later, an online veterinarian shot back an answer, along with lots of positive reinforcement. Here's what Dr. Bruce had to say:

"Could the tail be broken? It definitely could. If it is, there isn't anything to do specifically for it but rest and time to let it heal. Tail fractures aren't splinted or repaired. They are left to heal on their own. In all reality, her keeping her tail tucked is your dog keeping it in a position where it is most comfortable."

Thanks, Dr. Bruce!

The Late-Night Drama

What about that late-night situation when you wake up to the sound of your pet throwing up or making an unusual noise? You know something isn't right but are leery of running to after-hour emergency care. At 9:30 pm on a Friday night, we asked what we should do after our dog noshed on some onion-filled fajitas that had been left unattended. Dr. Whitehead sent a reply within 15 minutes:

"Onions are bad for dogs [3], but it takes a very large amount to cause problems. A small amount may just cause an upset tummy, so watch him for any vomiting or diarrhea. If it lasts for more than 24 hours, he should be seen. You can give him Pepto-Bismol at a dose of one teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight every eight hours to settle down his tummy if he seems agitated. Otherwise, just watch him closely, and you will most likely not have any problems."

Final Thoughts

Pearl.com is perfect for pet owners that need some hand-holding — especially new pet parents. The responses were quick, and the veterinarians were caring and thorough with answers. And the price is very reasonable in comparison to heading to your vet.