I need to take my dog to the vet.
'Veterinario' = veh-teh-ree-NA-ryo. Four syllables. Often shortened to 'vet' even in Italian colloquial speech.
When your dog is unwell and you are explaining to someone that you are taking them to the vet.
'Devo portare' (I need to take) uses the modal 'dovere' + infinitive 'portare'. 'Dal veterinario' uses 'da' + definite article + noun — 'to the vet's'. In Italy, veterinary care is provided by private clinics (cliniche veterinarie) and, in some regions, by ASL veterinary services for public health matters. Pet insurance is becoming more popular in Italy but remains less common than in the UK.
Il gatto non sta bene da due giorni.
The cat has been unwell for two days.
Describing duration — essential for the vet's diagnosis.
Il cane ha vomitato tre volte stanotte.
The dog has vomited three times overnight.
Specific symptom report — note frequency and timing.
Devo prenotare una visita urgente.
I need to book an urgent appointment.
'Visita urgente' = urgent appointment — most vets in Italy have emergency slots.
In Italy, all dogs must be microchipped (microchip identificativo) and registered in the Anagrafe Canina (national dog register) within 30 days of birth or acquisition. Cats are recommended but not universally required to be chipped. Failure to register a dog is subject to fines. The veterinarian registers the microchip data at the time of implantation.