Our Veterinary Blog | Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota (AERC) Can I Give My Dog and Cat Dairy Products? In many cases, a pet ingesting dairy products does not warrant a visit to the vet – just be prepared for your pet to possibly have gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. That said, your pet may need to be seen if: Your pet begins to have a severe allergic reaction that causes respiratory distress. This is […] Read More Oral Tumors in Pets Learning that your beloved pet has a growth in their mouth is daunting. It’s an experience no pet owner wants to go through. However, early recognition and an accurate diagnosis of the oral mass can result in more treatment options and a better prognosis for your pet. Here is a brief breakdown of what the […] Read More Homemade Slime Toxicity in Pets If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested homemade slime or any of its individual toxic ingredients, this is considered an “ORANGE” – or urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for […] Read More Should My Cat Wear A Collar? Every year, an estimated 10 million pets go missing in the United States. And only a scant 2% of cats who do not have ID tags or microchips will be found by their owners. If your cat is indoor/outdoor (we recommend indoor-only, but that’s beyond the scope of this blog!) then a collar for identification […] Read More Five Swimming Pool Pet Dangers and How to Prevent Them On a hot summer day, one of the best ways to cool off is to jump into your backyard swimming pool! But is it safe to let your dog join you? Well, the short answer is: Yes, with supervision, it is typically safe for a dog to swim in a well-balanced chlorinated or saltwater swimming […] Read More Understanding Water Intoxication in Pets If your pet consumed a large amount of water and is displaying mild signs of intoxication such as lethargy, vomiting, or bloating, these are considered a code “ORANGE” – or urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend having your pet evaluated by your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital within […] Read More The Dos and Don’ts of Raising Monarch Caterpillars About a decade ago, my husband gave up the arduous task of mowing the grass on the steep hill that runs the length of our property. Instead, we killed the grass and planted native prairie. Since then, other flowers and plants have blown in on the wind or were brought in by pollinators. One of […] Read More 5 Tips to Pet-Proof Your Home If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested something toxic, this is considered an “ORANGE” – or urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If […] Read More Pet Fire Safety: Preventing Pets from Causing House Fires Home fires occur all too often, putting our lives and our pet’s lives at risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 40,000 pets die in fires every year and approximately 750 of home fires are started by pets or wild animals. The American Red Cross has found that the majority of the […] Read More Summer Heat Risks for Pets If your pet is experiencing severe heat stress or a heat stroke (symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, difficulty breathing, collapse, or a high rectal temperature) – these are considered “RED” – or true emergencies – on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so […] Read More Older Posts Newer Posts