Pet+E.R. - Columbia

09/01/2024

Planning on attending a Labor Day BBQ tomorrow? Make sure to catch up safe snack choices for your four legged attendees! 🐶

Want to include your dog in your Labor Day festivities? Find the pawfect foods to make your pup's tail wag while keeping them safe in this guide with tips and more!

08/29/2024

We are here for you. 🐾 ❤️

08/26/2024

On we’re honoring dogs that selflessly save lives, keep us safe, and bring us love and comfort. Dogs are best friends, therapists, adventure buddies, and most importantly, family.

Join us today we say THANK YOU! ❤️ 🐶🐕🐩🐕‍🦺❤️

Comment with a picture of your dog to show them some extra love today ⬇️

08/22/2024

Are you considering taking your pet on a road trip over Labor Day Weekend?
We have a few tips to keep everyone safe and happy:

🐾 Take a prep drive or two to get your four legged family used to car rides.
🐾 Plan a route with safe places to stop for walks and bathroom breaks.
🐾 Make sure you have a comfortable and safe choice of seatbelt or car safety carrier.
🐾 Ask your vet about anti-nausea medication if motion sickness might be a problem for your pet.

Do you have other tips for road tripping with a pet? Share them here!

08/20/2024

We are still soaking in the extra summer hours with our four legged loved ones.
Thanks to the ASPCA, here are some fun activities you can enjoy doing with your pet this summer season.

https://bit.ly/3OcCeAO

The dog (and cat) days of summer are here! And we want you to have fun, kick back and enjoy the long summer days with your furry friends. Read our list of top five summer activities for you and your pets today!

08/15/2024

While we are all out and about with our pets at parks, on vacations, at backyard parties, being prepared is important for your pet’s safety.
We recommend always carrying a pet first aid kit stocked with items that are unexpired and that you know how to use. For example, your kit could include items such as nonstick bandages, adhesive bandage tape, towels, and absorbent gauze pads to control bleeding.
Check out this resource from the ASPCA to learn how to make your own pet first aid kit at home:

Share our DIY pet first-aid kit with your adopters, clients and community.

08/12/2024

Our Columbia team is hiring Vet Techs!
🐾 ❤️ Join our team & help save lives ❤️ 🐾

PetER Hunt Valley and Columbia is now hiring emergency veterinarians and veterinary externs! View our open positions and appy today.

08/09/2024

During the warm summer months, brachycephalic dogs such as Frenchies and English Bulldogs are at increased risk of breathing difficulties and heat stroke.

Be sure to watch for:
• Heavy panting
• Glazed eyes, rapid pulse
• Dark red tongue
• Excessive drooling
• Staggering or weakness
• Blue or gray tongue or gums
• Vomitng

If you suspect your pup might be suffering from heat stroke, please contact your closest Pet + E.R immediately https://www.pet-er.net/locations

08/07/2024

Did you know that having a pet can help lower the stress hormone cortisol, lower blood pressure. decrease risk of depression, and encourage regular daily exercise?

Give your furry family members an extra treat tonight, they deserve it for all the hard work they do! 💞 🐾

07/11/2024

❗ Pet+ER Columbia will be re-opening next week ❗
On July 14 we will be returning to our previous hours, and will be open 8AM to midnight every day.

Although we will not accept any new patients during the hours we are closed, our technicians will be onsite 24/7 to monitor any hospitalized patients.

We look forward re-opening our doors soon!

06/23/2024

⚠️ Important Announcement ⚠️

From June 24 through July 14, Pet ER will only see patients at our Hunt Valley location.
This change is due to necessary building maintenance at our Columbia location.

During this time, we recommend the following locations, which are open 24 hours a day:

• Pet+ER Hunt Valley: (410) 252-8387
• AAVEC: (410) 224-0131
• Dogs and Cats: (301) 809-8800

We will resume seeing patients in Columbia on July 15.

05/27/2024

Happy Memorial Day from the Pet+E.R. team.

Today we honor those who lost their lives while serving for our country.

As a reminder, our hospital will be available 24 hours for emergency pet care, but wait times will likely be extended. We appreciate your patience and kindness.

05/06/2024

Meet Sam! A 1-year-old Miniature Schnauzer who presented to us for vomiting. While hanging out at with us, Sam had belly rubs & radiographs performed to rule out foreign bodies! Sam was treated symptomatically with subcutaneous fluids and anti-nausea medications.

04/29/2024

Meet Sabrina, the sweetest 4-year-old Labrador mix! Sabrina transferred to Pet+E.R. Columbia for vomiting, lethargy and not eating.

Sabrina was admitted to our hospital, for intravenous fluid therapy, abdominal ultrasound and diagnostics. One of the diagnostics included a cortisol and ACTH test to rule out/diagnosis our doctors suspision of Addison's disease.

Addison’s disease is known as “the great pretender” because its clinical signs can mimic those of many other diseases. Addison’s disease can also present as an acute medical emergency called an Addisonian crisis. An Addisonian crisis may appear as sudden weakness, severe vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes collapse - this is what happened to Sabrina.

After receiving some IV sterioids, Sabrina started to perk up! Her owners brought in some food and once she ate and felt better she was ready to go home.

04/26/2024

Meet our lovely CSR/PCC team! In the veterinary field we would not be able to do our jobs without the help of our client service and patient care coordinators!

04/24/2024

The last week in April is dedicated to our amazing Client Service Representatives!

Receptionists are a pet family's first & last point of contact during veterinary visits. The communication & care they provide is invaluable. Please be sure to thank your CSR the next time you're in the hospital!

04/13/2024

This is Dutch, a 4-year-old MN Very Good Boy who came to see us recently to address a wound on the side of his face. Dutch had developed moisture dermatitis, or a hot spot.

Hot spots are rapidly developing skin sores under the haircoat. They are common in thick-coated or long-haired dogs, less so in cats. They most often develop in areas where the haircoat is heavy, such as the back, tail base, and side of the thigh, neck, or face. The dog often will scratch or chew at the area, although it can be quite painful (the condition is also called pyotraumatic dermatitis for this reason). When the hair is parted, the skin is seen to be moist and reddened. A pus-like discharge coats the skin and the base of the hairs.

Hot spots begin with a superficial skin injury that causes some moisture to be caught under the haircoat. Bacteria grow in the fluid, causing more skin inflammation, and the affected area rapidly expands as more fluid oozes from the skin, promoting more bacterial growth.

The speed of onset of hot spots is often striking, and a large and painful lesion can develop from previously normal skin in a few hours. Fortunately, other than being uncomfortable, hot spots are not life-threatening and they tend to heal very well.

Our team clipped the fur around Dutch's lesion, cleaned the area thoroughly and started him on a course of antibiotics.

04/11/2024

Today is National Pet Day! Here at Pet+E.R. Columbia, we care for your pets as much as you do and strive to do everything we can to help when emergencies strike.

If your pet is a Pet+E.R. veteran, share a picture in the comments below and let us know how they're doing. We may just feature them in another story!

04/09/2024

Our team took the opportunity to step outside yesterday and safely view the solar eclipse. We are happy to report that no eyeballs were harmed during this activity!

04/08/2024

Recover CPR certification class part two!

Pet+E.R. Columbia is in the process of becoming a Recover Certified hospital. This is an extensive process including online education coupled with in-person instruction that each individual must pass to become certified.

This ensures the hospital is up to date on the latest knowledge and skills with current evidence-based guidelines in BLS (basic life saving) and ALS (advanced life saving) to ensure top level CPR for your beloved pets in an emergency!

04/05/2024

Meet Sadie, a 12-year-old Goldendoodle who presented last month for vomiting and decreased appetite. Radiographs showed a significant linear foreign body that passed from Sadie's stomach into her duodenum. Dr. Sanha Kim performed surgery to remove the foreign object and Sadie recovered well in hospital.

Here you'll see Dr. Kim hand-feeding Sadie to make sure she was feeling well enough to go home to her family.

04/03/2024

April is National Heartworm Awareness month ❤️

Heartworm disease is a fatal condition affecting dogs and cats, which is spread by mosquitoes. Contracting heartworms is easily preventable with monthly preventative medications.

The American Heartworm Society offers an excellent explanation of the disease, its effects, testing and treatment here:

Information about Heartworm Positive Dogs What is heartworm disease? Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the...

03/23/2024

Today is National Puppy Day! Share pictures of your Pet+E.R. Puppies in the comments!

03/22/2024

Pet Poison Prevention Week brings up an important question for when pets ingest toxins: To vomit or not to vomit?

Check out this article for helpful tips: https://bit.ly/43oYrkC

There is a large amount of misinformation available to pet owners with “advice” on how to help your pet after they’ve ingested something harmful. Our experts at the Animal Poison Control Center are here to bust one of those popular myths.

03/20/2024

March 17-23 is Pet Poison Prevention Week. If you are concerned that your pet has had a potention toxin exposure, Pet Poison Helpline is another trusted service to contact. You will speak with licensed toxicologist that will advise you on whether medical attention is warrented and what your next steps are. A consultation fee may apply for this service.

03/19/2024

With the First Day of Spring falling during we want to highlight the most common toxic plants and flowers:

- Lilies (lethal to cats)
- Sago Palms
- Azaleas
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Hyacinths
- Cyclamens
- Crocus
- Oleander
- Hibiscus

We also recommend reviewing this extensive resource provided by the ASPCA to cross check any flowers or plants in or outside your home: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

If you suspect that your pet has ingested a toxic flower or plant, contact Pet+ER Columbia at 410-441-3304 or Pet+E.R. Hunt Valley at 410-252-8387 to bring them in ASAP. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for further instruction (please note, a consultation fee may apply).

Our handy list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

03/18/2024

March 17-23 is Pet Poison Prevention Week. If you are concerned that your pet has had a potentional toxin exposure, ASPCA Poison Control is a trusted service to contact. You will speak with licensed toxicoligist that will advise you on whether medical attention is warrented and what your next steps are. A consultation fee for this service may apply.

03/17/2024

☘️ Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at Pet+E.R. Columbia! ☘️

How LUCKY are we to have such wonderful clients and patients like you! Did you and your pets celebrate today? Share pictures with us in the comments below!

A little safety reminder for your pets - both alcohol and shamrocks are toxic to dogs and cats. Remember to keep your furry loved ones at a safe distance from these substances today.

If you experience an emergency this holiday, Pet+E.R. Columbia is open daily, 8am to 12am | 410-441-3304.

03/15/2024

Get to know our staff through their pets!

Meet Hiro, a charming 5-year-old Libra. Hiro's mom is our wonderful technician Lori!

Hiro has a passion for short nature walks and an undeniable love for cheese. His favorite pastimes include cozy naps with his dad and the sheer joy of playing catch. Currently on a break from Instagram fame, , Hiro is embracing the simple pleasures of life and spreading smiles wherever he goes.

03/11/2024

Allow us to introduce Tara! Tara is the Client Service Manager responsible for reception operations at Pet+E.R. Columbia and AVIM&O Columbia.

Tara has been a team member in our Columbia building since we opened in 2016, working individually for Pet+E.R. and AVIM&O over the years. She has excellent knowledge of practice operations and exceptional standards for the client experience. Over the last few weeks, Tara has spent time in the community, introducing herself to our primary care veterinary partners.

We look forward to watching the team continue to learn and grow under her leadership.