Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities

11/01/2025

10/31/2025

Happy howl-o-ween!

10/29/2025

Did you know these interesting facts about cats? 💖🐱
🛏 Cats sleep for nearly 70% of their lives- estimated about 14-16 hours per day.
🍗 As strict carnivores cats are "sweet-blind" meaning they cannot taste sweet flavors.
🏃🏻‍♂️ House cats can run up to 30mph, and can jump up to 5 times their own height!
⏰ The oldest recorded cat lived to be 38 years old!
🐯 Tigers and house cats share 95% of their genetic make up
Today is national cat day, which if you ask my cat is every day. So even though cats are going to do what they want maybe today take a little extra time to love on your kitty as a thanks for being a friend 💖

10/27/2025

👻With Halloween fast approaching we wanting to give one last friendly reminder about the danger that chocolate can pose - Kelvin is here to help us! Kelvin came in last week after his Owner discovered that he ate a chocolate bar that was as big as he was! Kelvin is very fluffy but only weighs a whopping 8lbs, so when he ingested an entire 4oz dark chocolate bar we began treatment with him right away.

🍫Theobromine is the active ingredient in chocolate. This is a stimulant that acts similar to caffeine. If a canine ingests a toxic level of theobromine we will see an elevated heart rate that can result in cardiac arrythmias. We can see tremoring behavior that can turn into seizure activity. If left untreated Theobromine poisoning can be fatal.

🐶Large volumes of Theobromine ingestion can be tricky because we have to be prepared for anything - we monitor heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and mentation frequently to make sure there are no changes. In Kelvin's case we did need to treat with him a sedative to slow his heart rate but overall he did well and was discharged once he was no longer symptomatic. We also treat with IV fluids, anti-nausea medications (after vomiting up all that chocolate!) and activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of the toxic ingredient.

Kelvin was a good Pt that we hope stays out of trouble as he gets older. Remember folks - Puppies and dogs don't know that chocolate can be so dangerous but they do know that they like the way it smells and tastes! It's best to just eat the left-over candy for yourself to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong paws 🎃

10/17/2025

Name: Jenni
What is a fun fact about you?
I was born in California

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have always loved animals and the idea of being able to help their quality of life in any way has always brought me joy.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with like-minded people and all the learning opportunities.

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
All exotics and large breed dogs!

What has been your most memorable or challenging case that you have helped with?
I've helped with a dog that was in a house fire and had severe burns. Watching his recovery process will be something remember forever.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
Another the accidentally shooting me with an open needle. I'm okay but jeez they should be more careful :P

10/17/2025

Name: Lori
What is a fun fact about you?
I have a twin! We are not identical BUT I am 2 minutes older than her.

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have always had a love for animals and wanted to be able to help them in any way. After losing some of my own pet to things- I wanted to be able to help other pets and their owners by educating them and letting them know they are not alone.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Getting the opportunity to educate clients. The people I work with are also a plus! I wouldn't be the tech I am without them (especially Eric).

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
I am a cat person! Bengles and Main C***s specifically

10/17/2025

Name: Ana
What is a fun fact about you?
I was born in Argentina and have duel citizenship

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I started as a kennel girl because of my love for animals. Gradually I had the opportunity to get more involved in the medical side and found that I loved it!

What is your favorite part of your job?
The animals! I love blood draws and placing IV catheters. I love how you never know what is going to come through the doors and need to be ready for anything at any time!

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
The nice ones :)

What has been your most memorable or challenging case that you have helped with?
The cases that are the most challenging for me are heart disease cases.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
Every day has the potential to be a funny day. It takes special kind of person with a special sense of humor to work these jobs and they are the best people!

10/16/2025

Name: Tara
What is a fun fact about you?
I love going to concerts and music festivals! Music is life.

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
My love of animals and eagerness to help helped pave the path for veterinary medicine.

What is your favorite part of your job?
When the treatment plan starts working and the patients start to feel better :)

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
Dogs for sure - I love the brachycephalics (short nosed dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs

10/15/2025

Name: Kristen
What is a fun fact about you?
I love a challenge. All of my hobbies include some sort of quest or mission to complete. I am a nerd for murder mysteries and any type of quest-like game.

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have always had a fascination for medicine and a desire to help others. Animals cannot advocate for themselves so it is always a challenge but so rewarding to be a part of their diagnosis and treatment.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is being able to see the medications, treatments, and hard work start to take effect and treat the patient. Watching a patient go from a life-threatening circumstance to happy and healthy is my favorite. Knowing that I had a part in it is a bonus.

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
Canines 100%! AND the BIGGER the BETTER - Give me all of the Greyhounds, Great Danes, and Bernese Mountain Dogs!

What has been your most memorable or challenging case that you have helped with?
One of the most memorable cases was a puppy that had burning hot cooking oil accidentally spilled all over her back. She was the cutest Pit puppy who had the cutest face and most loving demeanor. To watch her skin literally fall off was awful but the reward in watching her heal and grow was amazing. She was such a trooper and never stopped giving kisses.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
I am only a hair over 5ft tall and that makes handling large breeds very entertaining. Once a tall dog walked between my legs and completely lifted me up - It looked like I was riding a horse!

Thank you Kristen! You have a calm expertise about you that makes each shift go a little smoother. Your years of experience and your drive to learn and educate makes you a wonderful technician and great to work with. :)

10/15/2025

Name: Emilie
What is a fun fact about you?
I have been on TV several times, for showing and training horses.

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have always been drawn to animals.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Surgery and emergency - I thrive on the high pressure situations.

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
I love working with exotic animals such as reptiles and pocket pets but Heelers and Shepherds are my favorite breeds.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
Seeing my coworker run away in fear of a spicy dachshund. We laugh about this together frequently.

10/14/2025

Name: Crystal

What is a fun fact about you?
I joined the National Guard when I was 17 and stayed in the military for 6 years before getting injured while training.

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
When I was 7 years old I was able to help nurse a baby tiger that was sick. This stuck with me through the years and now I help all kids of different animals.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The unknown of each shift. The different cases we get to see.

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
Dogs. Specifically German Shepherds. I also enjoy working with exotics like reptiles and birds.

What has been your most memorable or challenging case that you have helped with?
6 years ago I was part of a team that helped with a 4 month old pit mix that was oxygen dependent for 7 days. He had to go back and forth between The AEC and his regular vet and was ultimately diagnosed with a heart defect.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
One shift I went to get blood from the blood bank. When I returned a coworker had asked me for help to move a heavy deceased patient for cremation preparation. When I got close to the bag on the counter another coworker jumped out of it to scare me!! We got video tape footage and it always brings a good laugh.

Crystal - Thank you! As a long time member of our team here at The AEC we appreciate you more than you know! You are knowledgeable, and always offer a helping hand when you see one is needed. Your sense of humor keeps the staff laughing, and you have a way with the dogs that might not behave the best.

10/14/2025

Name: Nora

What is a fun fact about you?
I have been raising garden snails

What made you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
When my parents cat had an FHO. The vet techs and doctor were educating us about our cats condition and treatment plan and this inspired me.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping ease pet owners worries during a stressful time

What is your favorite breed or species of animals to work with?
CATS

What has been your most memorable or challenging case that you have helped with?
I have helped with several extremely traumatic experiences.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the clinic?
One time I was working with a great dane and has their leash in my hand. I sat down to take notes and the great dane pulled me like a sled dog!

Thank you for all you do Nora! You have a dry sense of humor that keeps the staff laughing even on the hard days. You have a way with pet owners that makes them feel heard and overall you are fun to work with!