Tularemia is a bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis. Who is susceptible? How can you or your pet get this infection? Tularemia is a zoonotic disease, so humans can get infected via an infected animal, including your pet. Where is this bacteria located? What time of year are you and your animal most at risk? What are signs of illness in pets? At AERC, we see this infection occur
read moreComposting is an eco-friendly way to reduce household waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden. However, while it’s great for the planet, compost can be surprisingly dangerous for curious pets. The smell of decomposing food may attract dogs or other animals, and eating compost can also lead to serious health problems. It’s important to understand what’s in your compost and how it could harm your pet. Here are
read morePuppies seem sent from heaven above, don’t they? With their round puppy bellies, big sad eyes, and delicious puppy breath, they bring happiness to everyone they meet. Until they don’t! Those sharp puppy teeth, in fact, are the opposite of heavenly. Our family recently acquired a Chihuahua puppy named Chip, and when he starts playing, he starts biting. As a result, he has a whole host of nicknames: Land
read moreIn May, we spoke with Dr. Briana Keller, board-certified veterinary oncologist, in a discussion about pet cancer treatment options. If you are currently facing this dilemma with your pet, you can catch the replay here or read the summary below! Cancer treatment options can vary greatly based on where your pet’s cancer is, what kind of cancer it is, what your goals for your pet are. In general, however,
read moreIf your pet collapses, is unable to walk or get up, or experiences severe trauma, 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! Basel the three-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog just wasn’t feeling like himself. He’d pooped in the kitchen –
read moreIn April 2025, Dr. Schader, one of our emergency veterinarians, joined us on Facebook Live to bust some common myths about the animal ER! Missed it? No worries—check out a quick summary of the myths and Dr. Schader’s expert answers below. Dr. Schader has been a valued member of the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota team since 2011 and has spent the past seven years working as
read moreWhen you bring your pet to Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, whether it is to visit one of our specialty departments or our emergency service, you will work closely with your pet’s veterinarian to determine the best plan for their care. Depending on your pet’s condition, stability, and diagnostic results, hospitalization for stabilization and supportive care may be recommended to help manage an illness or injury. Your
read moreAs pet owners, our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our pets. Unfortunately, pets can sometimes fall ill with infectious diseases that can spread from animal to animal. These diseases, known as infectious diseases, are different from zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. Not all infectious diseases are zoonotic. When a pet arrives at our ER with a suspected infectious disease, we
read moreDisclaimer: The TTouch Method is not a replacement for veterinary care but serves as an invaluable complementary tool. In April 2025, we had the incredible honor of hosting a Facebook Live session with Linda Tellington-Jones, the visionary behind the Tellington TTouch Method, alongside her student and Twin Cities practitioner, Julia Habermass (Better Together Pets). Linda is a widely recognized figure in veterinary medicine, known for her groundbreaking communication method
read moreIf you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ingested anything 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 veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital
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