Keeping Pets Safe Around Water: Drowning Risks, Algae, and Other Hidden Hazards In Northern Arizona, lakes, rivers, and backyard pools are part of everyday adventures for pets. But fun days by the water can turn frightening in seconds. As a 24/7 specialty and emergency hospital, we see firsthand the dangers pets face around water, from [...]

Is Your Dog Seizing? A Vet's Guide to Canine Epilepsy Watching your dog experience a seizure is one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. It's scary, confusing, and often leaves you with a dozen unanswered questions. At the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, we know just how [...]

From Surgery to Prevention: Helping Pets Overcome Bladder Stones Safely Finding out that a dog or cat has bladder stones can feel overwhelming. One day there might be a small accident in the house, and the next, there’s a trip to the emergency hospital to discuss urinary obstructions or possible surgery. At the Veterinary Emergency [...]

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 [...]