Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota

Having your pet diagnosed with a chronic illness can be scary & overwhelming. After the diagnosis, it’s important to communicate with your pet’s veterinary team to ensure you understand your pet’s disease, the treatment plan, and symptoms to be aware of in an emergency situation. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your family veterinarian.

Learn more about managing your pet’s chronic illness here: https://aercmn.com/tips-for-managing-a-pet-with-a-chronic-illness

Learn more about the emergency process for when chronic illnesses go south: https://aercmn.com/when-chronic-diseases-go-south/

Throughout the summer, we get questions about pets + hot cars! Our graphic addresses the danger of leaving a pet in a hot car & what to do if you spot one.

We understand that for many, there’s a first instinct to smash a window & rescue a pet. Believe us, we get that! It’s also important for pet lovers to be informed & understand the legal side of this situation. In our latest blog, we’re sharing Minnesota laws & police protocols for “pet in hot car” scenarios, as well as advice for Good Sams. Read more here: https://aercmn.com/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-pet-in-a-hot-car-in-minnesota

A big thank you to the Oakdale Police Department for providing us with information on the Minnesota laws and police protocols that apply when a pet is left in a hot car.

🌊🐶 Not every dog "just knows" how to swim! If you plan to bring your pup to the lake this summer, it's a great idea to teach them how to swim – but safety first! 🛟✨ Check out our blog to learn the do's and don'ts of teaching your dog to swim: https://aercmn.com/getting-smart-about-teaching-your-dog-to-swim

In this blog, Dr. Bean, MPH, CPH, DABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal Practice), shares tips on how rabbit owners can minimize hazards for their bunnies: https://aercmn.com/minimizing-hazards-for-your-rabbit/
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Seeking veterinary care for your rabbit? All of our local veterinary partners who see bunnies are listed on our website: https://aercmn.com/about-us/locally-owned/

Need referral care for your rabbit? You can set up an appointment with our Avian & Exotic Medicine Service. Learn more here: https://aercmn.com/veterinary-services/avian-exotic-medicine

Do fireworks scare your pet? 🎆🐾

We get it - the sudden loud noises can be so stressful for our pets! If your pet experiences anxiety or fear during fireworks, it's important to seek professional advice.

👉 Talk to your family veterinarian now! Don't wait until July 3rd! They can provide safe and effective solutions to help your pet with noise anxiety!

Learn more about noise anxiety in pets here: https://aercmn.com/did-you-hear-that-noise-aversion-in-dogs/

Meet Rigby! 🐶After spinal surgery with Dr. Smith, Rigby needed rest...and snuggles! Rhys, one of our Technician Assistants, was on it & set up this cozy pallet! 🌙🛌💤 We know Rigby appreciated Rhys' one-on-one care, & we're happy to share Rigby is now back at home recovering! 🥰

🎆 Fireworks & Pets Don't Mix! 🐾 In this blog, we’re discussing the top three dangers when it comes to fireworks and pets, as well as tips on how to keep your pets these next few weeks during Fourth of July festivities. 🐶🐱✨ Check out the full blog here:
https://aercmn.com/fireworks-and-pets/

Our next Pet Loss Support Group meeting is on Tuesday, June 25th at 7PM CST via Zoom. If you'd like to join, please contact Heidi Brenegan, our Chief Marketing Officer, at (651) 501-3759, ext. 3005, or [email protected].

More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/690098716603451/690098729936783

🌟 Our June Fundraiser is for Tuff Start Rescue! ❤️‍🩹🍋

Donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/401862359516517/

Meet Pete! A few months ago, a tiny 2-pound kitten came to Tuff Start Rescue with some BIG medical issues. The most serious of Pete's conditions is a liver shunt - which is a blood vessel that bypasses fresh blow flow through the livers, and instead carries blood around the liver. Common symptoms include neurologic problems like seizures and disorientation. Thanks to Tuff Start Rescue, Pete had liver shunt surgery right here at AERC! Tuff Start Rescue says Pete's been doing great and is quite the hilarious & active kitty!

Your support can ensure that more animals like Pete receive the care they need. By donating to Tuff Start Rescue, you're helping . 🐶🐱 No contribution is too small—together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these "lemons"! ❤️‍🩹🍋

Click here to donate or to learn more about Tuff Start Rescue on our fundraiser page: https://www.facebook.com/donate/401862359516517/

Now that it's officially summer, be mindful of the heat before going outside with your pets! View our graphic for a few heat safety tips & check out the blogs below for more info:
➡ Dogs & Cats: https://aercmn.com/summer-heat-risks-for-pets/
➡ Info on Exotic Pets: https://aercmn.com/summer-heat-outdoor-time-for-exotic-pets/

Last week, we delved into Part I of Sally the dog's cancer diagnosis. 🐾🩺

This week, Heidi Brenegan, both Sally's Mom and our Chief Marketing Officer, continues to share her personal experience navigating treatment options for Sally's mast cell tumor. Additionally, Heidi provides invaluable advice for pet parents who are also facing these difficult decisions with their pet's cancer.

Read Part II here: https://aercmn.com/navigating-a-pets-cancer-diagnosis-part-ii

Today we're cheering on two of our amazing team members today who will be speaking this weekend at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)Convention, a national conference for vet pros, in Texas!

Good luck to our AERC speakers this weekend: Travis Bruns, CVT, VTS (AVTAA) and Heidi Olivier, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)! 🎤✨ We’re confident you’ll shine and inspire with your expertise!

Are you a vet pro attending AVMA Convention 2024? You can find more details on these sessions on the AVMA website. Link in bio!

It's officially summer!☀️What is your pet looking forward to this summer?

And remember to keep your pets safe all summer long with these tips: https://aercmn.com/10-tips-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-summer

Between our three facilities, we provide specialty care, emergency care, & urgent care for your pets. When in doubt of which type of service your pet needs, call our Contact Center at 651.501.3766 and our trained team will help you determine the best course of action.

Learn more about our services here: https://aercmn.com/veterinary-services/

🐾 Welcome to Our New Veterinary Interns! 🐾

We are thrilled to introduce our newest group of veterinary interns! Please join us in welcoming them:
✨Dr. Douglas Albrecht✨
✨Dr. Megan Bradley✨
✨Dr. Emma Iverson✨
✨Dr. April Le✨

Here they are pictured below with Kate Jones, DVM, DACVIM - one of our board-certified Internists and our Director of Medical Specialties!

Our veterinary interns will work closely with our ER & specialty teams to learn & grow in veterinary medicine. Over the next year, they'll gain hands-on experience, expand their knowledge, & work alongside our knowledgeable team to provide the best possible care for pets!

We're excited to see the pawsitive impact they'll make and the bonds they'll form with both our team and your pets. 🩺💖

Let's give them a warm welcome!🐶🐱🐰

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. ❤️🖤💚

This day commemorates June 19, 1865 when the last enslaved people were freed in Galveston, Texas as Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation (which was issued by Lincoln on January 1, 1863 prior to the end of the Civil War in April of 1865). 250,000 people were freed that day.

There are a number of Juneteenth celebrations today throughout Minnesota. Please feel free to share any local events in the comments! You can also view a list of events here: https://www.minneapolis.org/calendar/holidays/juneteenth/

Limping in a pet is very alarming, especially when you aren’t sure of the cause! View these graphics to learn more about lameness in pets and then head over to our blog for additional information: https://aercmn.com/why-is-my-pet-limping/

As pet owners protect themselves and their pets from mosquitoes & other pesky insects this summer, they should be mindful of three main toxicity concerns related to certain products. In this blog, we explain these toxicities and provide essential information that pet owners need to know about each one: https://aercmn.com/insect-repellent-toxicity-and-pets/

☀️🐾 Summer is here, and with it comes increased risks for our furry friends! 🐶🐱 One often overlooked risk is our pet's skin health.

🩺 On this blog, Dr. Meyer, our board-certified veterinary dermatologist, discusses four potential concerns for your pet’s skin during warm weather. 🌞 Check it out here: https://aercmn.com/four-concerns-for-your-pets-skin-this-summer

REMINDER!

The Fourth of July is coming up! If your house is near local fireworks that trigger your pet’s noise anxiety, NOW is the time to talk to your family veterinarian about safe ways to help your pet. If your pet does require prescription medications for noise anxiety, be sure to pick-up any refills from your family veterinarian before the week of Fourth of July!

Learn more about noise anxiety in pets here: https://aercmn.com/did-you-hear-that-noise-aversion-in-dogs/

Happy ! 📸

Thanks to everyone who shared their pet's selfies last round! For a chance to be featured in our next post, share your pet's selfie in the comments!

Higher than 80°F outside? ☀️ If yes – DO NOT heavily exercise your dogs outside! A walk in the cooler hours of the day is fine or a slow meander when it’s hot.

If your pet is at an increased risk of overheating, it’s especially important to monitor them closely while outside on humid days.

Learn more here: https://aercmn.com/prevent-your-pets-from-overheating/

Happy Father's Day to all the dads! ❤️🐾

Curious about how to help your pet in case of a toxicity emergency?

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Gardas Anderson, one of our emergency veterinarians, shares the benefits of utilizing veterinary toxicology hotlines! 📞🐶🐱 From rapid response to expert guidance, learn how this invaluable resource can help your pet in critical situations.

Learn more on our blog: https://aercmn.com/the-benefits-of-toxicology-hotlines-for-pets