Allergic Reactions in Pets: Spot the Warning Signs and Act Fast in Flagstaff Flagstaff’s crisp mountain air invites outdoor adventures, yet those same breezes can usher in pollen clouds, stinging insects, and other irritants that turn a quiet afternoon into a rush to the veterinary emergency room. Knowing how swiftly a mild itch can become [...]

Keeping Cool: Guide to Heat Stroke for Flagstaff Pet Owners When the Arizona summer hits full force, most of us know how to stay cool: drink more water, wear light clothes, and avoid the midday sun. But our pets? They depend on us to make the right calls. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center [...]

FLUTD in Cats: Recognizing Painful Urinary Symptoms and What to Do Next Few things worry a cat owner more than hearing strained cries from the litter box or discovering accidents outside it. Changes in a cat’s urinary habits can be stressful, confusing, and sometimes urgent. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona [...]

Is Your Dog Skipping Steps? Understanding Luxating Patella and When to Seek Emergency Care A dog that suddenly skips, hops, or limps during normal activity can raise concern quickly. While some limping resolves with rest, recurring or intermittent lameness—especially when it looks like skipping—is often a sign of an orthopedic condition known as luxating [...]

Sneezing fits. Runny eyes. Sudden congestion. If your cat suddenly seems under the weather, it might not be just a “cold.” Upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats are common—and in some cases, they can escalate quickly without veterinary care. At Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, we often see cats brought in for [...]

When a pet is facing a serious illness or recovering from surgery, nutritional intake can become a challenge—and in some cases, a critical concern. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, we regularly use esophagostomy tubes (E-tubes) to support dogs and cats that are unable to eat on their own. In this [...]

In northern Arizona, rattlesnakes are part of everyday life—from hiking trails to backyards. While these snakes play an important role in the ecosystem, they also pose a serious medical risk to pets. At VESCONA, we see firsthand how quickly a rattlesnake bite can turn into a life-threatening emergency. This guide is here to help you [...]

As loving pet owners, we cherish the playful moments we share with our dogs—from hiking in the beautiful wilderness of Flagstaff to a simple game of fetch in the backyard. Yet, it's distressing when our pets suddenly limp or yelp in pain. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, we understand how [...]

When your dog isn’t acting like themselves—sluggish, not eating, maybe vomiting—it’s easy to assume it’s just a stomach bug or stress. But sometimes, the signs point to something much more serious: Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, we often see dogs with Addison’s that go [...]

From Itch to Infection: Identifying and Treating Skin Problems in Dogs Expert Care from the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona Why Your Dog’s Skin Health Matters Your dog’s skin is their largest organ—and one of the most important indicators of overall health. Yet, skin infections in dogs are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. [...]