Animals’ stress response evolved to help them prepare to face danger. However, this response often does more harm than good for domestic cats. Chronically elevated stress hormones can lead to a cat’s physical and behavioral disease manifestations, which can diminish their quality of life and degrade the pet-owner bond.  Everyday events that roll off your [...]

Mixing children and pets makes for adorable photos and touching moments, but the combination can also lead to dangerous pet bites. A child’s unpredictable and unfamiliar movements can frighten or stress some pets, and children do not always understand how to read or understand a pet’s body language.  The most docile of pets will bite [...]

Arizona’s hot summer days can be dangerous for your pet. Temperatures can skyrocket well above three-digit figures, and the sun’s UV rays can reach extreme 11-plus levels. Our Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center team doesn’t want you or your pet to sweat, so we provide information that will help keep your pet safe [...]

Scratching is an appropriate behavior for cats, but you likely have trouble appreciating your cat’s natural instincts when they are shredding your sofa. This month, the Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center team is opening the Nail File, to make a case for encouraging and cultivating  feline scratching behaviors. We present tips for redirecting [...]

Like children, pets often experience minor illnesses that don’t always need treatment. Some illness signs, however, indicate that your pet requires an urgent veterinary examination. The Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center team is equipped to handle urgent and emergent cases 24/7, because pets are more likely to recover from a serious illness when [...]

Changes in your pet’s eating or drinking habits may indicate a serious health condition and should not be ignored. Our Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center team explains why your pet’s appetite and water consumption may increase or decrease to highlight the importance of monitoring their daily habits.  Reasons your pet’s appetite is reduced [...]

Toxicosis (i.e., accidental poisoning) is one of the most common—and most preventable—pet emergencies we see at Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, likely because many pet owners don’t realize that many everyday household items are toxic to pets. Knowing how to identify and address these domestic hazards—and recognize active toxin ingestion signs in pets—are [...]

Various conditions cause canine limping—one of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary care for their dog. Some canine limping causes are more concerning than others, and many dog owners aren’t sure when they can help manage their furry pal’s limp at home and when they should seek veterinary care. Our Southern Arizona Veterinary [...]

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) affect the nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat and are common in cats. They can be caused by numerous pathogens, but infection typically occurs through direct contact with an infected cat or by environmental exposure to objects contaminated with infectious nasal, oral, or ocular secretions. Our Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency [...]

Valley Fever (i.e., coccidioidomycosis) most commonly affects pets in alkaline desert regions in Arizona, New Mexico, southwestern Texas, and central California. Cases have also been reported in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and desert areas in Central and South America. While dogs seem especially susceptible, cats can also be infected with the disease, which can potentially [...]