Powers Pet Emergency and Specialty

09/16/2024

Big news! We're embarking on a new journey as Southern Rockies Animal Emergency + Specialty. 🎉 Our look may have changed, but our passion for providing top-quality, emergency and specialty pet care in Colorado Springs hasn't. Here's to serving our growing community with renewed energy and a refreshing perspective! 💕

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09/06/2024

Thank you to our friends at KKTV for showing us around the studio today! We are putting together our own big story here at Powers Pet Emergency and Specialty so stay tuned for a big announcement coming soon!

08/28/2024

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 🌈♥ This day is dedicated to celebrating the lives of our past pets and the joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love they brought us. Don’t forget that part of the relationship included the care provided by you ❤ They become family and we will be forever grateful for the companionship of our pets.

08/26/2024

On we’re honoring dogs that selflessly save lives, keep us safe, and bring us love and comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day to protect our families and homes, their law enforcement partner, their blind companion, the disabled, and victims of accidents and tragedy. So today we say THANK YOU to all the dogs out there! ♥🐶🐕🐩🐕‍🦺♥

08/21/2024

Are you curious as to why your pet keeps scratching? Not sure how to provide them with some relief? 🐶🐱 Itchy skin could signify flea allergy dermatitis, hotspots, atopic dermatitis, or a skin infection.

It’s best to identify that there is an issue early as this makes it easier to treat!
Treatment options may include applying anti-parasitic ear drops, medication to treat infections caused by scratching, and ongoing parasite prevention 🐾 To identify the best treatment for your pet's condition, always consult with your primary care veterinarian for guidance.

If your pet is experiencing an infection contact Powers at 719-473-0482.

08/18/2024

Celebrating the little victories with our amazing patients! Thrilled to hear that Chivo is back to his usual adventures post-recovery. Keep those updates coming, they make our day! 🎉🐾!

08/15/2024

Did you know 1 in 3 family pets will get lost in their lifetime? (AVMA)

serves as a reminder to all pet owners to microchip your pets and keep the chip registration information updated regularly! Microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen.

If you find a lost pet, bring them to a facility that has a microchip scanner (such as a veterinarian's office, police station, or animal shelter) to help them find their way home. Powers is equipped with a microchip scanner.

08/12/2024

If your pet is ever injured and unable to walk, transporting them to the emergency vet can be a challenge. See our guide on what to do if you need to urgently and carefully move your pet to get them medical attention:

Injured animals are more likely to bite or claw out of fear or pain so be careful when moving your pet. For dogs, you may need to use a temporary muzzle to prevent a bite injury. For cats, it is best to approach them from behind and wrap them in a thick towel or blanket to protect yourself from biting or scratching.

If you experience an emergency with your pet contact Powers - save our contact information to easily and quickly call us in the case of an emergency.

📞 (719) 473-0482
📍 5886 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80923
🌐 powerspetemergency.com

08/09/2024

Ticks! Ick! 😩 Keep your pets safe from ticks this season and speak with your pet's primary care veterinarian for a prescription or refill of a safe repellent.

🐕 Tick-borne diseases affecting dogs can include: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

🐕 Common symptoms these tick-borne diseases share for dogs can include: fever, diarrhea, muscle pain, swelling in the limbs, seizures, fatigue, depression, skin lesions, discharge from the nose or eyes, weight loss

🐈 Tick-borne diseases affecting cats can include: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Cytauxzoonosis (aka Bobcat Fever)

🐈 Common symptoms these tick-borne diseases share for cats can include: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, sensitivity to touch, jaundice, painful joints and/or stiffness (might have an arched back when walking)

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Powers at (719) 473-0482 immediately. We are open 24/7/365.

08/06/2024

Pets can be curious, and sometimes that leads to swallowing indigestible objects which can result in a bowel or gastrointestinal obstruction.

The treatment for bowel obstruction can vary and depends on the severity of the condition. In some cases, a blockage may pass on its own. In others, surgery may be required.

Obstructions can be very serious and may even result in death, so it is important to come to Powers if you discover or suspect your pet swallowed something indigestible. We are open 24/7/365 for pet emergencies.

07/29/2024

Colorado Springs has so many incredible hikes to offer. Before you and furry friend go running off to the trails this summer, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

⛰️ Be sure your pet is up-to-date on all shots as well as flea and tick preventatives. Always confirm with your family vet that your pet is healthy for hiking.
⛰️ Take note of what type of animals and flowers are present near the trails you plan to explore. Many wild plants can be poisonous to pets and watch out for rattlesnakes.
⛰️ Make sure your pet's microchip and ID tag have been updated. Summer is a big season for lost pets.

Also remember to pack water, treats, a leash, p**p bags and pet booties! Keep and eye out for shaded areas you and your pet can take breaks at. If any pet emergencies do arise during your hike, please come to Powers immediately. We are open 24/7/365. Safe travels 🐾

07/27/2024

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a condition commonly referred to as bloat. This is a critical medical issue for dogs, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Bloat happens when gas or food stretches a dog's stomach. The distended stomach rotates, trapping the gas inside, and blocking off the stomach's blood supply. This can develop quickly, without warning, and requires immediate medical attention.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent bloat:

🐶 Encourage your dog to eat slowly
🐶 Feed smaller controlled portions
🐶 Don’t feed them right after exercise or when over-excited/panting heavily
🐶 Keep them at a healthy weight

If you suspect your dog has bloat, contact Powers at 719-473-0482.

07/25/2024

Meet our third and final mentee, Dr. Katherine Schrader! Dr. Schrader is originally from northeast Ohio. She began working in veterinary emergency hospitals during her pre-vet career and has felt at home ever since!

Dr. Schrader went on to complete her degree in Biology from the University of Dayton where she participated in the school’s Hawaii Marine Biology program. She also spent her weekends working with animals at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. During her summers, she assisted in research studying elephant behavior at the Cleveland Zoo. She graduated from University of Illinois’s College of Veterinary Medicine. During her time there, she adopted her dog, Winston, from the Humane Society.

She loves traveling and goes on yearly trips with her aunt and uncle to all the national parks (most recently Yosemite and Sequoia!). Dr. Schrader’s free time is spent being outside with Winston, taking care of her many plants, and reading. She is so excited to start her career at Powers Emergency Clinic and to explore all that Colorado has to offer.

07/23/2024

Our dogs’ paws are just as sensitive as our feet. Here are some ways to protect your dog’s paws on hot pavement (or artificial grass):

🐾 Check the weather and take precautions before you take your pet outside. Asphalt temperatures can vary with air temperatures, cloud cover, wind, etc. For example, 77°F air temp could result in 125°F asphalt temp - and it only takes 60 seconds on 125°F asphalt for a dog's pads to burn.
🐾 Place the back of your hand on the ground for 10 seconds, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.
🐾 Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when surfaces are cooler.
🐾 If your pet can easily adapt to them, invest in a pair of booties to protect your pet's paws.

Symptoms of paw burn may include limping, refusing to walk, darker than usual or discolored pads, excessive licking or biting of feet, visible blisters, extreme redness, and missing skin or parts of pads.

If your pet experiences burnt paws, contact Powers at 719-473-0482.

07/20/2024

Keep your pets safe this summer by keeping them away from blue-green algae - aka cyanobacteria - which thrives in bodies of fresh water when the weather is 75+ degrees and sunny. Cyanobacteria is incredibly toxic and is known to cause poisoning in dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, birds, fish, and even humans!

Pets can develop poisoning when they drink from, or even swim in, contaminated water sources. This algae may appear as pea-green-looking paint or as a green slime and is typically found in ponds and lakes, but can be present in oceans, fresh water, damp soil, outdoor fountains, and even on rocks.

If your pet is exposed to blue-green algae signs may develop in as little as a few minutes or may take up to 12 hours to arise. If blue-green algae is ingested, it can cause severe neurologic or liver damage. Symptoms may include drooling, disorientation, weakness, vomiting, excessive panting, collapse, seizures, respiratory failure, and could be fatal.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to blue-green algae, immediately contact Powers at 719-473-0482. You can also connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

07/18/2024

Unfortunately, 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime and only 1 in 10 are found (AAHA). July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and serves as a reminder to put strategies in place to keep your pet safe.

If your pet does go missing, file a lost animal report with your local humane society, post on community social media pages (such as Facebook or Nextdoor), check neighbors’ yards or video doorbell footage, scout local parks, and call animal shelters in your area.

07/15/2024

Today is ! It's the perfect time to plan ahead on how to keep your pets safe in case of a fire. 🐶🐱

🔥 Keep pets away from fireplaces, firepits, and candles
🔥 Have a rescue plan and practice with your family
🔥 Keep leashes, crates, and carriers accessible
🔥 Inform rescuers of your pets and their hiding places
🔥 Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags and are microchipped in case they escape

If you experience a fire related emergency with your pet immediately bring them to Powers. We are open 24/7/365 for pet emergencies.

07/12/2024

Snake bites are extremely harmful and potentially fatal for pets. 🐕🐈❌🐍

Symptoms to look for if your pet has been bitten by a snake:
👉Weakness/lethargy
👉Shaking/twitching
👉Dilated pupils
👉Vomiting
👉Loss of bladder control
👉Blood in urine
👉Unable to move
👉Breathing difficulties
👉Drooling
👉Bleeding from the wound
👉Paralysis or collapse

If your pet has any of these symptoms or was bitten by a snake, immediately contact Powers at 719-473-0482. We are equipped to handle snake bites.

07/09/2024

Meet Douglas!

Douglas was patiently waiting to get x-rays taken when this picture was snapped! The X-rays were an important diagnostic tool to help diagnose him with a foreign body. After undergoing surgery to remove the object, Douglas spent another night with us for monitoring, before he went home to continue his recovery.

Douglas also was previously diagnosed with Von Willebrand's disease which is a hereditary blood disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Luckily, our expert doctors knew just how to treat Douglas before surgery and gave him a plasma transfusion to ensure his operation was as successful as possible!

We hope you are having a smooth recovery at home, Douglas!

To learn more about Surgery at Powers, visit our website:

Powers Pet Emergency & Specialty is committed to providing compassionate and expert surgery services for the pets of Colorado Springs, CO.

07/07/2024

Heading off to the pool, river or lake this summer with your furry friend? Check out these water safety tips to make sure your pet has fun while staying safe. ☀️

🔹 Pick a shallow spot to start out and stay close to the edge of the water.
🔹 Don’t force them. Throwing a pet in the water who doesn’t want to swim can be traumatic and may prevent them from enjoying the water later on.
🔹 Get in the water with them. When they start paddling with their front paws, lift their hind end so they understand how to float.
🔹 Keep them on a leash at first so they can’t stray too far away from you.
🔹 Many dogs love to swim, but some tire more easily than others. Consider having your dog wear a life jacket that is specifically made for animals.

🌡 Also, be sure to stay aware of the temperature! While swimming may cool you and your pet down, hot sand or pavement poses a threat to your pet's paws. If you can't hold the back of your hand to the ground for at least 10 seconds without feeling a burn, it's too hot for your pet to walk on!

If you experience an emergency with your pet this summer contact Powers at 719-473-0482.

07/05/2024

Please meet our second newly graduated doctor and ER immersion mentee, Dr Mariana Acquaviva!

Dr. Mariana Acquaviva is originally from upstate New York and completed her undergraduate biology degree at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. She moved to Massachusetts to attend Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, where she spent every free moment driving into Boston, seeing live music, and exploring all New England had to offer. Originally wildlife and conservation focused, her journey through vet school led her to discover many other passions, including emergency medicine, exotics, and dental and oral surgery.

When not at work, Dr. Acquaviva enjoys spending time with her border collie, crazy kitten, and chinchilla, as well as reading, playing board games with friends, and enjoying the mountains. She is happy to have made the move to Colorado, and is excited to experience all the wildlife, excellent skiing, and stunning hikes the state has to offer!

Welcome to the Powers Team!

07/04/2024

From everyone at Powers, we wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July! ❤️ 💙

A reminder that our hospital is open 24/7/365 for pet emergencies.

07/03/2024

Happy Independence Day! Fourth of July festivities are fun and filled with celebrations, however, we must remember to keep our pets safe and happy. 🐕 🐈

Reminders for the holiday:
👉 Take your pet for a walk or play with them to get some energy out before the celebrations begin.
👉 Don’t leave your pet outside during fireworks. Place them inside with food, water, and maybe their favorite toy.
👉 Keep party food and alcohol away from your pet.
👉 Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags and their chip information is up-to-date.
👉 Clean up hazardous foods, drinks, and other items immediately after the festivities.