WVRCWaukesha

03/04/2026

Spring is almost here🌷and while you’re freshening up your home and yard, it’s important to remember that some seasonal products can pose serious risks to pets.

At a veterinary emergency hospital, we often see an increase in toxin exposures this time of year. Here are a few common spring hazards to keep on your radar:

🧼 Cleaning Products
Bleach, disinfectants, multi-surface sprays, and toilet bowl cleaners can cause vomiting, drooling, breathing difficulty, or chemical burns if licked or walked through and groomed off paws.

🌼 Fertilizers & Lawn Treatments
Early spring lawn care products may contain fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides that can cause stomach upset, tremors, or more serious toxicity if ingested.

🐜 Slug & Rodent Baits
These are especially dangerous. Some can cause seizures or life-threatening internal bleeding.

🌷 Spring Bulbs & Plants
Tulips, daffodils, and other early bloomers can cause GI upset and some plants can be more toxic depending on the amount ingested.

💡 Pet Safety Tips:
• Store all chemicals securely out of reach
• Keep pets off treated lawns until fully dry (follow label instructions carefully)
• Wipe paws after outdoor time
• Choose pet-safe or pet-friendly products whenever possible

If your pet has ingested something concerning or is showing signs like vomiting, tremors, lethargy, or drooling, seek veterinary care right away. Early treatment can make all the difference.

03/04/2026

Recently, Brookfield Animal Hospital welcomed our Veterinary Social Worker, Neil for a Lunch & Learn focused on Coping Skills and Boundaries.

After the heartbreaking loss of one of their beloved clinic cats, their team was navigating the very real grief that comes with loving and caring for patients every day. Veterinary medicine asks so much of the people in it both emotionally and mentally.

Neil shared practical tools and crisis coping techniques to help team members process grief, establish healthy boundaries, and protect their well-being in high-stress moments.

Supporting mental health in veterinary medicine isn’t optional, it’s essential. We’re grateful to partner with practices that prioritize caring for their teams as deeply as they care for their patients. 💙

03/03/2026

Don't forget to register for our pet owner CPR session! There are still spots available! 🐱🐶

🚑🐾 Pet CPR Rescuer Workshop 🐾🚑

Join us on March 12th at WVRC Waukesha for a hands-on Pet CPR workshop designed to help pet owners feel more prepared in an emergency. Learn how to assess an unresponsive pet, perform chest compressions, and recognize when immediate veterinary care is needed.

📍 WVRC Waukesha
W239 N1046 Pewaukee Road
Waukesha, WI 53188

🕕 6:00–8:30 PM

⚠️ Important: Completion of the online Pet CPR course is required before registering for the in-person workshop.

👉 Online course: https://recoverinitiative.org/pet-owners-and-pet-professionals/cpr-course-for-pet-owners-and-pet-professionals/

👉 Register for the in-person session: https://form.jotform.com/260295772242055

Spots are limited! Secure yours today! 🐶🐱

For any questions please email: RECOVERPETRESCUER.WVRC@ethosvet.com

02/20/2026

We’re proud to share that WVRC Waukesha has been reverified as a Level II Veterinary Trauma Center by the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT)!

WVRC has held this distinction since 2019 and we remain the ONLY approved and registered veterinary trauma center in Wisconsin.

So what does this mean for pets and families?

A verified Veterinary Trauma Center provides team-based, comprehensive care for injured patients. An emergency veterinarian is immediately available, with specialists accessible for consultation and advanced treatment as needed. This verification is determined by an outside governing body, ensuring the highest standards of trauma care are met.

In addition to delivering advanced care every day, our teams also contribute to the future of veterinary medicine. Trauma cases seen at WVRC are included in ongoing data collection that supports national research efforts leading to 34 publications to date that help improve outcomes for pets everywhere.

We are incredibly proud of our doctors, technicians, and support staff whose dedication makes this achievement possible. Thank you for trusting us with your pets when it matters most.

02/19/2026

Cold weather can be tough on pets, especially those living with arthritis or mobility challenges. ❄️ Just like people, stiff joints and aching muscles often feel worse in the winter months, making it harder for pets to get around comfortably.

Signs your pet may be struggling this season include:
• Slower to get up or lie down
• Hesitation with stairs or jumping
• Limping or stiffness after rest
• Sleeping more or avoiding activity

How you can help at home:
🐾 Provide warm, supportive bedding away from drafts
🐾 Use rugs or mats to prevent slipping on hard floors
🐾 Keep nails trimmed for better traction
🐾 Maintain gentle, consistent exercise to keep joints moving
🐾 Talk with your veterinarian about pain management and mobility support options

If your pet seems suddenly in more pain, unable to walk, or has a noticeable decline in mobility, that can be an emergency. Our team is here to help

02/18/2026

February is National Cat Health Month! 🐾

Cats are masters at hiding illness and pain, which means changes can be easy to miss until they become emergencies. This month is a great reminder to keep an eye out for subtle signs that your cat may need care, such as decreased appetite, hiding more than usual, vomiting, trouble urinating, or sudden behavior changes.

Preventive care and early intervention can make a life-saving difference. If your cat shows urgent symptoms like difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, collapse, or inability to urinate, seek emergency veterinary care right away.

Your cat relies on you to notice the small things. We’re here when the big things happen. 🐈‍⬛💙

02/18/2026

Meet Mera, a seven year old Bernese Mountain Dog Mix that initially presented to the Emergency Room at WVRC- Waukesha in May of 2024, for free fluid in the chest and abdomen as well as severe diarrhea. Initial in-hospital diagnostic blood work revealed severely low protein levels in Mera’s blood (panhypoproteinemia).

Following her emergency room visit, Mera continued her care with the Internal Medicine team at WVRC- Waukesha for severe blood protein deficiencies, mixed bowel diarrhea, and persistent free fluid in the chest and abdomen. Based on Mera’s clinical signs, one of our Internal Medicine specialists, Dr. Kelley Balog, performed an endoscopy with tissue biopsies to further investigate the cause of the panhypoproteinemia.

Mera was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and dilated lymphatic vessels that contributed to her blood protein loss. Mera started a specific treatment plan to manage her condition. After over a year of dedicated treatment and monitoring Mera reached an incredible milestone; she officially graduated from the Internal Medicine program in January of this year with a clean bill of health!

Stories like Mera’s remind us of why we do what we do, we couldn’t be happier for Mera and her family! 💚🩵

02/13/2026

A little sweetness to celebrate an exciting new chapter for one of our referral partners. Cheers to what’s next!

02/13/2026

🚑🐾 Pet CPR Rescuer Workshop 🐾🚑

Join us on March 12th at WVRC Waukesha for a hands-on Pet CPR workshop designed to help pet owners feel more prepared in an emergency. Learn how to assess an unresponsive pet, perform chest compressions, and recognize when immediate veterinary care is needed.

📍 WVRC Waukesha
W239 N1046 Pewaukee Road
Waukesha, WI 53188

🕕 6:00–8:30 PM

⚠️ Important: Completion of the online Pet CPR course is required before registering for the in-person workshop.

👉 Online course: https://recoverinitiative.org/pet-owners-and-pet-professionals/cpr-course-for-pet-owners-and-pet-professionals/

👉 Register for the in-person session: https://form.jotform.com/260295772242055

Spots are limited! Secure yours today! 🐶🐱

For any questions please email: RECOVERPETRESCUER.WVRC@ethosvet.com

02/12/2026

💌 Roses are red, violets are blue… here’s some Valentine’s safety tips for you and your pets, too!

This Valentine’s Day, keep the love sweet and the dangers away:
❤️ Chocolate can be toxic, keep it out of paw’s reach
🌹 Many flowers (like lilies) can be harmful to pets
🍬 Candy, xylitol, and wrappers don’t belong in curious mouths
🕯️ Candles + wagging tails = fire risk
🎁 Ribbons and gift wrap can cause dangerous tummy troubles

Your pet is your Valentine every day and a little prevention helps keep them safe, happy, and by your side for many more cuddles to come. 💕

02/11/2026

Pets are incredibly good at hiding pain. That means the signs can be easy to miss until discomfort becomes more serious.

Subtle signs your pet may be in pain can include:
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Decreased appetite or reluctance to drink
• Hiding, avoiding interaction, or seeming “off”
• Changes in grooming habits (over-grooming or not grooming at all)
• Stiffness, limping, or hesitation to jump/climb stairs
• Panting, pacing, or restlessness
• Uncharacteristic irritability or withdrawal

You know your pet best. If something feels different, it’s worth paying attention. Early recognition can make a big difference in comfort, treatment options, and recovery.

02/11/2026

Any reason to celebrate? We’ll take it. 🎉

Our team took a quick chocolate break in honor of Chocolate Cake Day! Saving lives and supporting pets and their families is serious work, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun together along the way.

Grateful for a crew that shows up for each other (and occasionally shows up for cake). 🍫🐾