Top 10 Reasons For Veterinary Emergency Room Visits

Top 10 Reasons For Veterinary Emergency Room Visits

Every day, morning or night, the staff at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota see patients for a number of different reasons. Dr. Heidi Fay-Thompson, one of our ER veterinarians, is here with the top 10 reasons why pets come to our emergency clinics: 1. Vomiting and Diarrhea Nothing sends owners into the veterinary hospital faster than having […]

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4 Hazards to Your Pet This Winter

4 Hazards to Your Pet This Winter

If your pet is experiencing respiratory distress or seizures caused by a toxin or persistent non-productive retching, 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 the veterinary team knows to expect you! If […]

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7 Common Holiday Dangers to Cats and Dogs

7 Common Holiday Dangers to Cats and Dogs

The holidays are stressful enough without you having to worry about rushing your dog or cat to Animal Emergency and Referral Center, a 24-7 veterinary hospital on Christmas Eve, right? When it comes to keeping your pet safe this holiday season, read on to find out what holiday dangers pose threats to your pet. Chocolate  The […]

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Unusual GI Foreign Bodies (Or Things That Pets Eat That Amaze Me)

Unusual GI Foreign Bodies (Or Things That Pets Eat That Amaze Me)

If you know or strongly suspect your pet ingested a foreign body that is causing illness, this is considered an “ORANGE” – or urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend having your pet see your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital within the next 12 hours. Please call ahead of […]

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Heat Kills: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

Heat Kills: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

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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Five Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe on Fourth of July

Five Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe on Fourth of July

With each passing day becoming longer, lighter, and warmer, it’s only natural for us Midwesterners to start firing up our grills and inviting friends and family over to enjoy the summer. One of my favorite celebrations of the summer is Independence Day, filled with barbecues and fireworks. As pet owners, however, it is important to […]

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Sharing Your Pet with an Ex: Questions to Discuss Before a Pet Emergency

Sharing Your Pet with an Ex: Questions to Discuss Before a Pet Emergency

Too many times in the emergency department of AERC, we see pets brought in by a divorced pet owner whose ex-partner shares custody of the pet but doesn’t agree with the treatment plan selected and either refuses to provide authorization for care or to share the cost of treatment. Either situation can be scary and […]

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Valentine’s Day Dangers for Pets

Valentine’s Day Dangers for Pets

Difficulty breathing and severe trauma are considered “RED” – or true emergencies– on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you! If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet was exposed to any Valentine’s Day toxins, this […]

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Has Your Cat Been to the Vet Lately?

Has Your Cat Been to the Vet Lately?

August 22nd is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day! A 2011 study showed that 40% of cat owners have not taken their cat to the veterinarian in the last year! Many of these cat owners said they don’t visit the vet more often because there’s “nothing wrong,” or “it’s too much of a hassle.” […]

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Happy State Fair: Fun Animal Facts

Happy State Fair: Fun Animal Facts

It’s State Fair time, starting this Thursday! Did you know that Legendary pacer horse, Dan Patch, set the world record for the mile (one minute, 55 seconds) at our very own Grandstand? That record stood from 1906 until 1938!  The Minnesota State Fair has a lot of great animal exhibits, from the livestock barns, to […]

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