South Metro Animal Emergency Care

04/20/2026

Toby the yellow lab came to visit us after getting into a few things he shouldn't have 🐾🗑️

His owners noticed he was acting not quite like himself. He was wobbly on his feet, extra sensitive to touch, vocalizing, and had a few other concerning signs like urinary dribbling and very dilated pupils. After a bit of detective work, we discovered Toby may have helped himself to some homemade THC gummies.

While Toby might have thought he found a jackpot, ma*****na products can cause significant symptoms in our pets. Common signs include:
• Wobbly gait (ataxia)
• Urinary dribbling
• Disorientation or unusual vocalization
• Dilated pupils
• Heightened sensitivity to sound or touch

The good news? Toby received supportive care, including anti-nausea medication and fluids, and was sent home with instructions for close monitoring. Most pets recover well with prompt treatment, but it can be a scary experience for both pets and their people.

Friendly reminder: Keep all cannabis products securely stored and well out of paw’s reach.

Toby is feeling much more like himself now—but we think he’d prefer to skip that particular “treat” next time 😅💛

04/19/2026

Celebrating CSR & Technician Assistant Appreciation Week at South Metro! 🎉 Our CSRs and TAs are the heart of our hospital — we couldn’t do it without them. Let’s give a big thank you to these dedicated team members! 🙌🐾

04/18/2026

At South Metro, we're dedicated to caring for your family and pets. 🐾 We know emergencies can be stressful, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Trust us to provide the prompt, compassionate care your pet needs in urgent situations.

04/17/2026

Foreign Body Friday 🔍🐾

Time for another round of Guess the Foreign Body!

Take a close look at the X-ray and drop your guess in the comments! What do you think this curious canine swallowed?

💡 Hint: This patient took "spring cleaning" a little too literally...

⬇️ Comment your guesses below! We’ll reveal the answer next week.

04/16/2026

Over the last few months, the community has helped us collect over 700 cans/bags of dog and cat food/treats, along with dog diapers, potty pads, toys, beds, bowls, and brushes for Vinny's Angels Pet Resources. Thank you so much if you were one of the many individuals that donated! 💖

Vinny's Angels is a free mobile pet shelf for pet owners in need; they have pop-up pantries at various locations across the St. Paul area. Pictured below is Angel, a co-owner of the rescue, who was very helpful in unloading the donations 🐾

Thank you to White Bear Animal Hospital, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Cannon Valley Vet Clinic & Retail Store for joining us in the effort and for your contributions to the cause!

04/14/2026

🐾Foreign Body Friday: Answer Reveal!🐾

Did you guess it? Last week's mystery object was...a TV remote📺😅

Meet Estelle, a 1-year-old Golden Retriever with a curious streak and a talent for snacking on things that are definitely not snacks. Her owners caught her chewing up a remote and brought her in to be safe.

On her radiograph, you can spot the telltale metal spring from inside the remote (the part that holds the batteries in place). While the good news was that both batteries were not ingested and were not punctured, we still needed to act quickly to prevent the sharp metal from moving further down Estelle's digestive tract.

We induced vomiting, and Estelle successfully brought up the metal spring and a surprising number of still-intact remote buttons - impressive, but not recommended.

She's now back home, feeling much better, and hopefully sticking to dog approved treats only 🦴

Moral of the story: if your pet gets into something questionable, it's always better to check sooner rather than later! We are here for you 24/7 if your pet ever decides to take Estelle's snacking advice (which we strongly do not recommend).

Stay tuned for our next Foreign Body Friday!

04/11/2026

Happy National Pet Day! 🐾

Pets bring so much joy and love into our lives.

How are you celebrating your special companion today? Share your favorite moments or photos below! 💙

04/10/2026

Foreign Body Friday 🔍🐾

Time for another round of Guess the Foreign Body! This one is a bit more difficult.

Take a close look at the X-ray and drop your guess in the comments! What do you think this curious canine swallowed?

💡 Hint: It has buttons, but it's not a toy👀

⬇️ Comment your guesses below! We’ll reveal the answer (and the culprit🐾) next week.

04/09/2026

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month! 🩹🏥

Spring and summer bring increased outdoor activity, which can inevitably lead to injuries. If your pet sustains an injury, quick, calm actions can make a big difference.

Have you ever had a pet emergency on a trip, hike, or day out? What happened and what did you wish you had on hand?

Keep our contact saved in your phone for emergencies. It can save precious time in urgent situations.

Save us under ➡️ South Metro Animal Emergency Care #952-953-3737. 🐾

04/07/2026

Meet Champagne (AKA Shampoo, Shamu, or Chartreuse), our April Staff Pet of the Month! 🐾

Champagne is a playful 1-year-old kitty. Her favorite things? Hanging out in the sink, trying new fur colors, and chewing on Legos.

Her perfect day? Causing chaos with her cat sibling, Wi******er, and playing with her dog siblings, Bear and Rico. 🐱✨

04/06/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest Emergency Veterinarian, Dr. Alexis O’Connell, to South Metro Animal Emergency Care!

Dr. O’Connell was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University. She went on to earn her DVM from the University of Minnesota, followed by a one-year small-animal rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Medical Center.

After completing her internship, Dr. O’Connell returned to Minnesota and has been dedicated to emergency medicine ever since. We’re excited to have her expertise and compassionate care as part of our ER team. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading.

Welcome to the team, Dr. O’Connell!

South Metro Animal Emergency Care: Your pet hospital for expert, compassionate care. Call 952-953-3737 to book today!

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from Finn and all of us at South Metro Animal Emergency Care! 🐣🐾

We’re here for you and your pets 24/7 today. Celebrate and share your Easter moments with your furry friends—drop a photo in the comments!

Wishing you a joyful and safe holiday season. 🌸✨