Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona

04/21/2026

🌿🍇 Attention pet owners: grapevines can be harmful to your dogs!

😔 These vines are known to cause kidney failure in dogs if ingested. But there's a simple solution to keep your yard looking beautiful while protecting your furry friend.

👀 Try trimming off the budding grapes before they become fruit, preserving the aesthetic value of the vines while keeping your dog safe.

🐾 Stay vigilant and keep your pets safe by being aware of potential hazards and taking preventive measures.

04/16/2026

Teaching your dog to bark on command might seem like the opposite of what you want, but it can be a helpful step in training them to be quiet.

Let it out — First, find a stimulus that makes your dog bark naturally. It could be a knock on the door, a doorbell sound, or someone saying “Speak.” When your dog barks, reward them with praise and a treat.

Hold it in — Next, wait for a pause in the barking, say “Quiet” or another cue you choose, and offer a treat when your dog stops barking. Gradually increase the amount of time between barks before you give the “Quiet” cue.

Put it all together — Finally, practice the “Speak” and “Quiet” cues together until your dog can bark and then stop on command. This will give you more control over your dog’s barking and help them understand when it’s appropriate to bark and when they should be quiet.

04/14/2026

Not all behavior issues in pets are as easy to identify as we think!

🐾 Separation anxiety can be hard to differentiate from other behaviors, making early identification crucial.

💪 Watch out for signs like vocalizing, panting in dogs, and pacing/restlessness before you leave home. If your pet is showing these signs, it's important to seek professional help for effective treatment. 🐶🐱

04/09/2026

Neurologic symptoms in pets often start with subtle changes: a head tilt, weakness, confusion, circling, or seizures that seem to come out of nowhere. These signs can mimic other conditions, which is why advanced diagnostic imaging is so important for an accurate diagnosis. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, we provide expert emergency care and advanced diagnostics for neurologic problems. Call any time if your pet is showing neurological changes.

Neurological Conditions in Dogs and Cats: Signs, Causes, and When to Seek Emergency Care One day your dog seems a little wobbly getting up. The next morning, they can't quite find their footing at all. Or maybe your cat has started missing jumps they used to nail without thinking, or staring blankly...

04/09/2026

🐶🐱 Want to know if your furry friend is at a healthy weight? Here are some key points to keep in mind:

🐾 You should be able to feel their ribs under a slight fat covering.

🐾 Your pet should have a visible waistline when viewed from above.

🐾 Your pet should have an abdominal tuck.

🐾 If you can see your pet’s ribs and spine, they are too thin.

🐾 On the other hand, if your pet has no discernible waistline and their belly sags, they’re too heavy.

Ask our team for more information about your pet's body condition.

04/07/2026

🍴🐾 After your pet is spayed or neutered, you may need to make slight adjustments to their diet.

👉 But with the appropriate diet and exercise, spaying or neutering your pet will not affect their weight.

📞Call 928-779-5522 to talk to your veterinarian about your pet's diet and exercise needs.

04/02/2026

🔬 Antibiotics are effective at clearing Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the causative agent of Lyme disease, but may not completely eliminate clinical signs.

Lyme disease-induced organ or joint damage (e.g., arthritis, stiffness) may persist and require additional therapy or care. If Lyme disease progresses undetected or untreated, neurologic signs, including seizures, are common, as well as kidney failure, which is often fatal.

Prevent this debilitating condition by contacting us at 928-779-5522 and asking about year-round tick prevention measures. Your furry friend will thank you! 🦟

03/31/2026

👨‍⚕️🐱 Spaying or neutering your pet is a simple and safe procedure that can prevent unwanted behaviors such as aggression and urine-marking.

💓 Your pet will still be the same lovable, mischievous, devoted companion, but without the desire to search for a mate.

📞Call 928-779-5522 to talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet.

03/28/2026

A dog who is retching without bringing anything up, pacing, and has a suddenly swollen belly is not having an upset stomach. That is GDV, and it can kill a dog in a matter of hours. We put together everything you need to know about bloat: what causes it, which dogs are most at risk, what the warning signs actually look like at home, and what happens when you get to us. If you have a large or deep-chested breed, this one is worth reading before you need it.

Bloat (GDV) in Dogs: A Deadly Condition Every Pet Owner Should Know About Your dog ate dinner an hour ago and seemed fine. Now their belly looks swollen, they're pacing and can't seem to get comfortable, and they keep retching without producing anything. Drool is stringing from their mouth. Somethin...

03/28/2026

Bleeding that doesn’t slow down can go from concerning to dangerous faster than most people expect. A few simple steps can help in the moment, but knowing when to seek care is just as important. Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona is here for both.

My Pet's Wound Won't Stop Bleeding: When to Treat at Home and When to Come In A bleeding wound has a way of making everything feel urgent at once. You are trying to stay calm, your pet is stressed, and you are not sure whether this is something you can

03/26/2026

Separation anxiety is a progressive condition that won't just go away with time or ignoring your pet. It can cause other anxiety disorders and even lead to unnecessary suffering for your furry friend. As pet owners, it's our responsibility to provide love, patience, and the right treatment for our pets. Seek professional help if your pet is showing signs of separation anxiety.

03/24/2026

😺 While cats are atypical hosts for heartworms, they can still cause significant health problems.

Heartworm larvae typically don't mature into adulthood in cats, but the cat's immune system responds by creating a strong inflammatory response. This causes lung disease, called heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which can result in signs including coughing, increased respiratory effort, and vomiting that resemble feline asthma. 🚨

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling 928-779-5522, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.