Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode X: The Medication Mistake

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode X: The Medication Mistake

If your pet experiences a medication overdose or ingests your other pet’s medications, 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 […]

Read More

How to Know if Your Pet is Experiencing Respiratory Distress

How to Know if Your Pet is Experiencing Respiratory Distress

If your pet is having difficulty breathing, this is considered a “RED” – or true emergency – 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! Remove any neck collars or facial restrictions such as muzzles.   […]

Read More

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode IX | Frank the Pug and the Bladder Stone

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode IX | Frank the Pug and the Bladder Stone

Lethargic, not eating, vomiting, large (and painful!) bladder, straining to urinate. More accurately, no urination at all – since Frank, a three-year-old Pug, hadn’t peed in twenty-four hours. These symptoms, plus Frank’s elevated kidney values on bloodwork led our emergency team to a quick diagnosis of urinary obstruction. But what was the cause of the […]

Read More

How to Tell if Your Pet Has Ingested a Foreign Body

How to Tell if Your Pet Has Ingested a Foreign Body

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 […]

Read More

10 New Year’s Eve Pet Dangers

10 New Year’s Eve Pet Dangers

Whether you’ll be at home curled up on the couch with a movie, hosting a get-together, or going out, it’s important to take a few extra precautions to keep your pets safe this New Year’s Eve. After all, no one wants to ring in the new year with a sick pet. Join us as we count down the ten most common […]

Read More

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VII | The ER Tale of Ed the Rabbit

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VII | The ER Tale of Ed the Rabbit

CHAPTER ONE  Once upon a time, there was a kind-hearted rabbit named Ed. This four-year-old Holland Lop had quite the adventure at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota’s emergency room with an unlikely hero that reminds us all of the magical power of diagnostic testing. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! Young Ed’s tale doesn’t begin in our ER.   One day, Ed’s human noticed he wasn’t his usual, hoppy self. He […]

Read More

Nutmeg Toxicity in Dogs & Cats

Nutmeg Toxicity in Dogs & Cats

If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested nutmeg, 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 veterinary […]

Read More

Food Bloat in Pets

Food Bloat in Pets

You know that feeling of polishing off your third plate at Thanksgiving dinner, when you lean back in your chair, rub your full stomach, and swear you won’t be able to eat again for a week? Well, food bloat in pets is sort of like that — minus the silverware and cornucopia centerpiece — with […]

Read More

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VI: Every Small Dog Owner’s Greatest Fear

Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VI: Every Small Dog Owner’s Greatest Fear

*WARNING: This blog contains graphic images. Please continue at your own discretion.* A larger dog picked up Bentley, an 8-year-old Yorkie, by the neck, and shook him.  If your eyes are wide, chest feels tight, and your pulse is racing after reading that, then you may be a small dog owner! Having your beloved pet attacked […]

Read More

Onions, Garlic, Chives, & Leeks: Allium Poisoning in Pets

Onions, Garlic, Chives, & Leeks: Allium Poisoning in Pets

If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested onions, garlic, chives, or leeks, 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 […]

Read More