Bellevue Animal Hospital

06/23/2025

In relation to our previous post about calling us ASAP if your dog needs tranquilizers for the 4th of July ...

🎆 It’s Fireworks Season (Almost)! 🎇
We know we’re still about a week away from fireworks sales starting, but let’s get ahead of the boom this year. Please be kind to your neighbors, your pets, and everyone’s sleep schedule. 🐶🧨😴

Here’s when you can legally light fireworks in Sarpy County — and yes, setting them off at 3 a.m. on July 2 still makes you the neighborhood villain:

✨ Bellevue
🗓 June 25 – July 3: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 4: 8 a.m. – midnight

✨ Gretna
🗓 June 25 – July 3: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 4: 10 a.m. – midnight

✨ La Vista
🗓 June 28 – July 2: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 3–4: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

✨ Papillion
🗓 June 25 – July 3: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 4: 8 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

✨ Springfield
🗓 June 25 – July 3: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 4: 8 a.m. – midnight

✨ Sarpy County SIDs & Rural Areas
🗓 June 25 – July 3: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🗓 July 4: 8 a.m. – midnight

🚫 If you’re hearing kabooms outside those times, please don’t call 911 — that line is for actual emergencies.
📞 For noise complaints, call our non-emergency line: 402-593-4111.

🔥 Call 911 only for serious fireworks-related injuries or fires.
📢 Share this post to help everyone enjoy a safe and respectful celebration — minus the midnight mortars.

06/23/2025

Fireworks will be going off before you know it! If your dog (or cat) has noise phobias, PLEASE don't wait until the day before Independence Day to request a sedative. The time to contact us is NOW. (You don't have to call us right this minute - in fact, you can actually contact us via email, text, or your online Pet Portal if that's more convenient - but don't delay!) Be prepared!

Please note: If we have not seen your pet for a physical exam in more than a year - not just a nail trim, and not just a heartworm blood test - we cannot prescribe or dispense any medications. Contact us ASAP so that we can get an exam scheduled for your pet if necessary!! Thank you for your understanding.

**P.S. don't forget, we have urgent care hours available on Friday 6/27 from 6:20 p.m. - 9 p.m., and on Saturday 6/28 from 1 - 5 p.m. If your pet needs a wellness exam and you can't make it during our regular business hours, request an appointment during our urgent care hours! Our office will be CLOSED on the 4th of July.

06/21/2025

We have closed early today (urgent care) due to an unexpected staff shortage. We apologize for any inconvenience! Phones will be answered until 3:00 if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment.

06/20/2025

"What dreadful Hot weather we have! - It keeps one in a continual state of Inelegance." - Jane Austen

Miss Austen would certainly have called our forecast for the next three days dreadful! The extreme heat is also dangerous for your pets. Please be mindful of your pet's outdoor time today and this weekend; make sure to limit outdoor activities; provide plenty of shade and water to drink; and remember that heat stroke can happen in cars (leave your pets at home! and don't rely on your car's a/c system - if the system or your engine fails, temps will soar within minutes) and even inside your home (enclosed sunrooms, rooms with no a/c, garages) when the temps and humidity are high. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the signs of heatstroke, and what to do to help your pet.

06/19/2025

Happy Juneteenth National Independence Day! The Juneteenth flag, seen here, symbolizes liberation. The arc is a new horizon; the red, white and blue colors affirm that the enslaved were American. The star symbolizes Texas, where the enslaved were finally freed in Galveston on this day in 1865 - yes, two and a half YEARS after the Emancipation Proclamation, over 250,000 enslaved people in Texas finally received word that they were free.

To learn more about the significance of this day, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16dYWUoeub/

06/18/2025

In case you missed it: KETV ran a story this past weekend about veterinarians volunteering with The Street Dog Coalition to offer a free pet health care clinic at the Open Door Mission every month. Our very own Dr. Aaron Truax and Dr. Tammy Pfeiffer, as well as assistants Grayson Truax and Aubrey Anders, are offering their time, expertise, and care. (You might also recognize Dr. Emily Gray in the KETV story, she has done relief work for us here at BAH on several occasions in the past few years.) On the third Sunday of each month, those experiencing homelessness can visit the Open Door Mission for everything from pet checkups to vaccinations. Check in is first come, first serve while supplies last and time allows. Due to overwhelming demand, the clinic must limit clients to two pets per person/family. Click the link here http://bit.ly/448tqCk to watch the KETV video story!

If you are interested in donating to the Omaha Street Dog Coalition's efforts to provide free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness in Omaha, visit their website at https://streetdogcoalition-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/bfead4c4-395b-4b16-844a-af3bc9600530

06/18/2025

Today is Veterinary Appreciation Day! A simple “thank you” goes a long way, but here are some extra special ways to thank your veterinary team at Bellevue Animal Hospital, PC.

06/17/2025

Please note: our office will be closed today from noon to 2:10 p.m. for our monthly staff meeting. Our team members will be unavailable during this time. If your pet needs urgent medical attention, please CALL VCA Midwest Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center at 402-614-9000, Southpaw Veterinary Clinic at (402) 830-3700 or Urgent Pet Care in Papillion at (402) 597-2911. Thank you for your understanding! **ALSO** just a heads up, starting next month (July) and for the rest of the year, our staff meetings will be on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays.

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day to all the dads who go above and beyond! Whether you're cuddling on the couch or tossing a toy, your family appreciates everything you do.

06/12/2025

Bozco Sissel
1 January 2016 - 8 June 2025

Bozco believed everybody at Bellevue Animal Hospital came to work just to see him! He will be missed, but not forgotten.

"... dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive" -
Gilda Radner

06/12/2025

Did you know? June is National Pet Preparedness Month! In an emergency, your pets will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. Your family’s disaster plans have to include your furry family members too. Click this link http://bit.ly/3ZvEM1H to learn more about what to do to keep your beloved pets safe!

(This guide is primarily about dogs and cats. For tips on disaster planning for livestock, horses, birds, reptiles, or small animals such as gerbils and hamsters, please visit The Humane Society of the United States or Ready.gov.)

The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.

**Please note that most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets due to health and safety concerns, and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters. It's important to know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.**

Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pets!

If you have to evacuate your home during a disaster, the best way to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it's not safe for you to stay behind then it's not safe to leave pets behind either.

Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no pet policies could be waived in an emergency.

Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.

Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.

Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.

Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.

Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.

Have your pet microchipped by your veterinarian, and make sure the chip is registered with a national database such as HomeAgain PetRescuer. Be sure to keep your contact details up to date with the registry!

06/10/2025

Planning to fly your pet with you on vacation this summer? Keep in mind that if your cat or dog will have to travel in the airplane cargo section, airlines may have (and SHOULD have) several restrictions in place to help ensure your pet's health and safe flight. For example, American Airlines will not allow some breeds (such as Shih Tzus or Persian cats) to travel in cargo, due to the difficulties those short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds have with breathing and temperature regulation.

Also, even with a confirmed reservation, be aware that if the predicted weather at any destination along your way is above a certain temperature on your travel date, the airline may not accept your pet that day - so be sure to have a backup plan! (Pictured here is a screenshot from American Airlines PetEmbark page.) Your pet will also likely need a health certificate to travel by plane, so be sure to contact your accredited veterinarian at least two weeks before your travel date to schedule an appointment (health certificates must be done no more than 10 days before travel) - and make sure your pet's rabies vaccination is up to date as well!

https://www.aacargo.com/learn/animals.html