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. [...]

Urinary blockages are one of the most urgent and dangerous medical emergencies in male cats. Without immediate care, a blocked urethra can lead to kidney failure or bladder rupture within just 24 to 48 hours. In cats with recurring obstructions, Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) surgery can be a life-saving procedure that provides long-term relief and restores [...]

It usually starts with something small. A sneeze that won’t stop. A sudden head shake. A paw obsessively scratching at the ear. It might look like a minor irritation—but for many dogs during the dry season, these signs point to something much more serious: a foxtail. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern [...]

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects a cat's lower airways, triggering symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Early recognition of these symptoms is crucial, as unmanaged feline asthma can lead to life-threatening respiratory distress. At Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ, we aim to educate [...]