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 is very active or left in a warm environment, such as a car, they
read moreScooter, 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. Scooter’s Treatment When Scooter arrived, she was swallowing hard and her breathing was not
read moreIf 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 why your cat may be urinating inappropriately, there are also several medical reasons. Some
read moreIf your dog or cat is super itchy during the spring, summer, or fall, it could mean your pet has allergies! It’s very important to pay attention to your pet’s symptoms and discuss your concerns with your family veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Your pet does not need to be itchy and uncomfortable; there are various therapeutic options for managing your pet’s allergies. But before we review those,
read moreDogs need mental stimulation. With many dog owners staying home due to the Shelter-in-Place order, that lack of stimulation may cause dogs to exhibit unwanted behaviors. When our dogs can’t physically exercise the way we prefer, it’s important that they are using their brains- which can be just as exhausting! Here are a few stay-at-home boredom busters for dogs that dog owners can easily do at home to keep
read moreMany rabbit owners are understandingly growing concerned about Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) in the United States. Here are six things rabbit owners need to know about RHDV: 1. What is Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus? There was a recent outbreak in the Southwestern United States of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). RHDV is resistant to disinfection, stays infectious in the environment for months, and survives heat and freezing temperatures well.
read moreKnowing how to count your pet’s breathing rate at home can be a powerful tool for assessing his/her cardiopulmonary health – i.e. are your pet’s heart and lungs working as they should be? One of the heart’s many important jobs is to pump blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. If there is a problem with oxygen exchange in the lungs, as occurs with many diseases (congestive heart failure,
read moreIn Minnesota, while it may feel like we’ve been social distancing for 100 years, it’s been closer to four weeks. Your pet, however, may feel as though it’s always been this way and expect it to continue in this fashion, even after life has gone back to a more “normal” state. After so much time with you, your pet could develop separation anxiety when you return to work. Separation
read moreTake a moment to pause and think about your community. Think about the small businesses that used to be a part of your daily routine. The Mom and Pop coffee shop around the corner, the beauty salon down the road, the bakery with your favorite bread and pastries, the restaurant where your family has “the usual” booth, and the little shops that are your go-to’s for gifts and flowers.
read moreClick here to read Marijuana Poisoning in Pets: Part I by Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT to learn how pets are exposed to marijuana, signs to look for, and what to do if your pet is exposed. When a dog arrives to the clinic with signs of ataxia (stumbling, unsteady walk), sleepy mentation, and exaggerated responses to movement and noises, veterinarians have a good idea that marijuana poisoning
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