Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival Episode III: The Mysterious Case of Claude the Chihuahua

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival Episode III: The Mysterious Case of Claude the Chihuahua

The Case: Claude, one-year-old Chihuahua, brought to AERC’s Emergency Service in the middle of the night. His mom reports he was squatting to urinate, only producing a few drops or no urine at all, and then he would cry out in pain. (CLUE ONE) Claude’s Treatment During his initial exam, our team immediately noticed Clause […]

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7 Reasons to Immediately Bring Your Cat to the ER

7 Reasons to Immediately Bring Your Cat to the ER

There are many reasons to consider scheduling a visit with your family veterinarian. Maybe your pet is losing weight for no obvious reason, their appetite has grown picky, or they’re due for an annual exam and bloodwork. These are all important reasons to see your family veterinarian, but they don’t necessarily warrant a trip to […]

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Should My Cat Wear A Collar?

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 […]

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5 Tips to Pet-Proof Your Home

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 […]

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Summer Heat Risks for Pets

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 […]

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Fur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode II: Puppy Survives an Accidental Shooting

Fur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode II: Puppy Survives an Accidental Shooting

Meet Riley, a four-month-old mixed-breed dog. Her owners were away at work, and a brother-in-law who lived with them was at home, performing maintenance on a firearm.  The gun accidentally discharged, hitting Riley in the chest. Without delay, the brother-in-law brought her to AERC, and her owners left work to be with Riley at our […]

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What to Do If Your Pet Is Overheated

What to Do If Your Pet Is Overheated

Heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, is a common pet emergency during these warmer months.  Dogs are not able to cool themselves by sweating the way people do.  Instead, they primarily cool themselves by panting. They only sweat a small amount from their paw pads.  This makes them more sensitive to heat stress. If a dog […]

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Fur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode I: Needle Fight Club

Fur-tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode I: Needle Fight Club

Scooter, a one-year-old kitten, was playing with a sewing needle and thread. Before her owner could take it away from her, Scooter suddenly appeared to become startled and ran off. Had Scooter possibly swallowed the needle or poked herself with it?  In an attempt to discover the answer, Scooter was brought to AERC’s Emergency Service. […]

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Why is My Cat Peeing Outside of the Litter Box? Is this an Emergency?

Why is My Cat Peeing Outside of the Litter Box? Is this an Emergency?

If your cat is peeing outside of the litter box, he may be trying to tell you something. Some cat owners understandably feel angry when their litter-box-trained cat is urinating outside the box. This can be very frustrating and can affect your relationship with your feline family member. While there are many behavioral reasons for […]

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Tips for Transporting Pets to the Animal Emergency Hospital

Tips for Transporting Pets to the Animal Emergency Hospital

A pet’s sudden injury, illness, or dietary indiscretion can be a stressful event for any pet owner. Unfortunately, most pet owners will experience some sort of emergency during their pet’s lifetime. While you can’t predict when an emergency will occur, there are steps you can take to make a future emergency situation go as smoothly […]

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