Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona

11/13/2025

🍗🥦 Your pet's diet is crucial to their overall health and well-being. Even though they're not chowing down on junk food like we do, what they eat and how much of it can impact their weight and risk for health problems like diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis. As a pet owner, it's important to ensure that your furry friend is getting the right nutrition.

If you're unsure what the best nutritional plan is for your pet, give us a call at 928-779-5522 today!

11/11/2025

Sepsis in pets is a life threatening emergency. Learn the subtle early warning signs like lethargy, fever, and rapid breathing that demand immediate veterinary care. Quick diagnosis and aggressive treatment are vital for survival. If your dog or cat shows symptoms of a worsening infection, contact the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona right away. Every minute counts in the race against septic shock.

Sepsis in Pets: Recognizing a Life-Threatening Emergency Your dog seems tired and won't eat dinner. By morning, she's barely lifting her head. What started as a small wound, dental infection, or mild illness has spiraled into a medical crisis faster than you imagined. Sepsis doesn't announce itself....

11/11/2025

🚹🐾 Did you know that neutering your male pet can help prevent several serious health issues?

👍 Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular tumors and decreases their risk for prostate problems, perianal tumors, and hernias.

🏃‍♂️ Plus, neutered males are less likely to roam and get into accidents or fights.

11/06/2025

😺💉 Protect your kitty from feline distemper (panleukopenia) caused by the feline parvovirus. Kittens are the most vulnerable. Contact with an infected cat's urine, f***s, or nasal secretions can cause this disease. Call to learn how to safeguard your cat's health.

11/04/2025

Don't neglect your pet's dental health! Oral infections can cause major health problems in pets, but proper dental care is the key to prevention. Join us at in promoting pet dental health! Call us, today, to book a dental check-up for your pet!

10/30/2025

Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose in pets, as their signs are often vague and nonspecific. Unlike humans, pets do not develop the classic bullseye rash associated with the disease.

We advise Lyme disease testing (i.e., a blood test) for pets with clinical signs that include fever, lethargy, appetite loss, swollen lymph nodes, intermittent lameness, and painful or swollen joints.

Don't wait until it's too late! Protect your furry friend from this debilitating condition by contacting us at 928-779-5522 and asking about annual tick-borne disease testing. ❤️

10/28/2025

🌿🐱 It's important to be aware of which plants can be harmful to your furry friends.

😔 Elephant’s Ear, Begonia, Caladium, Dumb Cane, Philodendron, and Umbrella Tree are examples of plants that contain needle-shaped crystals called raphides, which can cause mouth and throat irritation, swelling, and difficulty swallowing.

👀 Other common garden plants that can be harmful to pets include Nightshades, Datura, Poppy, Oleander, and Foxglove.

🚫 Protect your pets by preventing access to harmful plants and keeping them safe and healthy.

10/27/2025

Cats hide illness well, making early heart disease detection vital. Watch for subtle signs like tiring quickly or hiding. VESCONA offers advanced cardiac care. Early detection can transform outcomes. Learn more about your cat's heart health with VESCONA.

Feline Heart Disease: Early Signs Every Cat Owner Should Know A cat that tires quickly, hides more than usual, or breathes with effort may be showing signs of heart disease. Because cats mask illness so well, these symptoms are often missed until the condition becomes advanced. From murmurs to conge...

10/24/2025

Keep your pets safe around water! Learn about drowning risks, toxic algae, and heatstroke. VESCONA is here 24/7 for water emergencies. Read our blog for vital pet water safety tips.

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...

10/23/2025

🌺🐈 Cat owners, beware of lilies! These plants can cause kidney failure in cats and are less dangerous to dogs but can still cause stomach issues.

👀 All parts of the plant are believed to be toxic if ingested, and prompt veterinary attention is necessary. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with lilies, don't wait for symptoms to appear—contact your vet right away.

👩‍⚕️ Keep your furry friends safe by being informed and taking action when needed.

10/22/2025

Concerned about a lump on your pet? Mammary tumors are common, but early detection and surgery can save lives. Our skilled team at Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona offers expert care. Learn more and schedule a consultation.

Mammary Tumors in Pets: How Surgery Can Save Lives Discovering a lump on your dog or cat's belly can be alarming. Is it cancer? What should you do next? At Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Northern Arizona, our skilled surgeons perform mastectomies to remove mammary tumors, offering pets...

10/21/2025

🐕🐈 A healthy diet is important, but so is exercise! Encourage your furry friend to get up and get moving every day. Even a short burst of activity can help. For cats, a few 5- or 10-minute play sessions throughout the day are best.

🎾🐾 Dogs, on the other hand, benefit from a longer walk or a game of fetch. Keeping your pet active is key to helping them maintain a healthy weight.

Need ideas for exercising with your pet? Reach out to our team for tips! Call 928-779-5522 to talk to your veterinarian.