Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids

08/22/2024

Ever heard the saying 'a wagging tail means a friendly dog'? 🐾 Discover the truth behind common pet myths in our latest blog by Dr. Marilyn Brink. Check out 'Pet Wives' Tales and Myths' now! 🐕✨

Click here to read more: https://www.westmichiganaeh.com/blog/pet-wives-tales-and-myths

08/21/2024

We love being able to give pet parents this peace of mind in difficult circumstances. So happy to be here for pets like sweet Scarlett.

08/20/2024

August is ! 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 Animal Emergency Hospital of Grand Rapids at 616-361-9911.

08/19/2024

Great news! Hanson's adoption fee is fully covered by our hospitals. 🐾 This handsome boy is currently in a foster home but is eager to meet his forever family. Ready to bring him home? Click the link to apply through the Humane Society of West Michigan!

https://www.hswestmi.org/adoptabledogs.html &page=shelterluv_wrap_1601398736371%2Fembed%2Fanimal%2FHSWM-A-47298

08/17/2024

August 17th is !
Unfortunately, black kittens and cats are often overlooked at shelters and take longer to be adopted. Wrongly, they are thought to be unlucky or mischievous.

🥰 If you have a black cat, make them feel extra special today.
🥰 If you have been thinking of getting a cat and can care for it, consider adopting a black cat.
🥰 If you don’t fall into either of these categories, consider donating to your local shelter or tagging a friend in the comments below to spread to word!

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.

08/14/2024

Our very own Dr. Samantha Gerbers was featured on the local news, discussing how our local emergency hospitals in the Grand Rapids area are handling the majority of pet emergencies. 🩺🐾 Proud to have her representing our team!

Visit our website to learn more: https://www.westmichiganaeh.com/

https://youtu.be/BhiycmCv61o?si=jMa5Rpb-_eAPzA0x

Veterinarians at 2 emergency animal hospitals deal with majority of pet emergencies in Grand Rapids

08/14/2024

Meet Megan!
"Hi everyone! I've been part of the AESH team for almost three years, and I also spent about five years with AEH during my school days. My passion for emergency medicine runs deep. I love being able to help patients and their families when they need it most.
Working in this field means dealing with a wide variety of cases, many involving pets that are sick or injured and require immediate care. It’s a fast-paced environment that demands quick thinking and decisive action. With the addition of specialty practices, we're now able to offer even more options to our community.
When I'm not at work, I enjoy training and competing with my three Rottweilers. We love hiking, and taking part in dog sport shows like Obedience, Rally, Fast Cat, Dock Diving, and Scent Work. Traveling to these shows gives us the chance to explore new places, which we absolutely love!"

08/13/2024

Staff Favorite! Hamilton lovingly known as "Ham" was such a perfect patient! Though he came in for having an allergic reaction he was all smiles. The staff were smitten as they treated this big goofy guy. Ham was fully recovered within a few days and showed us his wonderful personality again during his recheck.

08/10/2024

If your pet is ever injured and unable to walk, transporting them to the emergency vet can be a challenge. Here are some tips if you need to urgently and carefully move your pet to get them medical attention:

🚑 Towels, blankets, bedsheets, or pet beds can double as a pet stretcher to carry and lift your pet into the car carefully.
🚑 If you live alone and have a large dog breed, you could invest in a wheeled pet stretcher or wagon to have on hand just in case.
🚑 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.
🚑 Handle the injured animal as little as possible to prevent further injury to the pet or yourself.
🚑 If you are able to, call the emergency vet to alert them you are on the way so they can prepare for your arrival.

If you experience an emergency with your pet contact Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids at 616-361-9911 - save our contact information to easily and quickly call us in the case of an emergency.

08/08/2024

Happy ! It's a cat's world and we are all just living in it. 😹
Take a meow-ment to celebrate your feline friend by sharing a picture of them in the comments! 👇😻👇😻👇

08/06/2024

We appreciate all the 5-star reviews we receive like this one from Stella's owners!

08/03/2024

August is National Dog Month! Share your photos of the pups that deserve to be celebrated this month! 🐶🐾🐾

08/02/2024

Poppy, our little adventurer, came to see us recently after she tried some of her mama's chocolate! Despite her mischievous snack, Poppy made a swift and full recovery after spending the night with us. The overnight crew was absolutely delighted to snuggle with this sweet girl, showering her with affection and cuddles. By the next day, Poppy was back home, safe and sound!

07/31/2024

HAPPY TAILS: "Luna was 2 weeks post-op this past Tuesday after ingesting a kabob skewer over the 4th of July weekend. She had her 6th birthday on Tuesday as well. We are so thankful for everyone who took care of her at AEH. She is back to her spunky self and we are so happy to have her healthy again. Everyone was so amazing and caring and kept me updated every step of the way. We appreciate you all. Thank you so much for giving me back my spunky loving girl."

07/29/2024

Our hospitals were proud to help sponsor the K911 Foundation this year! This amazing organization supports our local K9 officers and assists in funding their veterinary care. If you'd like to learn more about them, please follow the link: https://www.k911foundation.org

07/27/2024

There are many toxic household medications that could accidentally be ingested by your pet. Ibuprofen is the most common human medication ingested by pets and can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.

Follow these tips to keep your pets safe!

✅ Be sure to keep all medications both for humans and pets away from your animals (unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian to give them medication.

✅ Never leave pills OR pill bottles sitting on the counter or in a place where a pet can reach them (some dogs can easily chew through a pill bottle).

✅ If you accidentally drop a pill when taking it out of the bottle, quickly pick it up so you know your pet won't find and eat it.

✅ Never give a medication (human or prescribed to another animal in your household) to your pet without consulting a veterinarian first.

If you suspect your pet has consumed a human medication or a medication meant for another pet in your household, immediately contact Animal Emergency Hospital of Grand Rapids at 616-361-9911. You can also connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

07/26/2024

07/25/2024

If you live with a cat, this is a very important warning for you. ⚠🐱

Lilies are EXTREMELY toxic to cats. The leaves, petals, pollen grains, and even the water lilies sit in can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. Prompt veterinary attention is critical if ingestion occurs.

""Cat-proof"" your house and garden by choosing safer flower alternatives. Check out this full list of toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

If you suspect your cat has consumed lilies, immediately contact Animal Emergency of Speciality Hospital of Grand Rapids at 616-361-9911. You can also connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

07/24/2024

Meet Dr. Barscewski (bar-chess-ski)! She loves working here because of our incredible staff and doctor team. And getting to help such amazing patients and clients! She loves the fast pace of emergency medicine and the interesting cases she sees. Her hobbies outside of work include spending time with her husband and two kids on their farm, playing with their pet ponies (Blanche and Dixie), dog (Bert), and cat (Casserole), horseback riding, and mountain biking!
We love Dr. Barscewski!!

07/22/2024

Did you know that July is ? 💦

Here are 6 ways to keep your pets hydrated and stay cool this summer, indoors and out!

💦 Endless supply of fresh, cool drinking water
💦 Frozen, pet-friendly treats
💦 Cooling mat, bandana, and/or towel
💦 Shaded area with an outside-equipped fan
💦 Kiddie pool filled with water
💦 Access to A/C and belly rubs

If you experience an emergency with your pet this summer contact Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids at 616-361-9911.

07/19/2024

Lucy came to visit us this beautiful Friday because her Arthritis was acting up. Her mom is a member of our staff so we made sure to give Lucy some extra love as she received care!

07/18/2024

Naboo's people pay close attention to her when they are outdoors but this cutie pie still managed to ingest an unknown toxin! Thankfully, she felt MUCH better after receiving overnight care with us. Stay out of trouble, Naboo!!

07/17/2024

Unfortunately, 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime and only 1 in 10 are found and returned to their owner. July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and serves as a reminder to put strategies in place to keep your pet safe. Here are some additional tips:

🐶 Train your pet to come to you on voice command
🦮 Keep pets on a leash in unfenced areas
🐾 Microchip your pet and keep your contact information updated
🐕‍ Get your pet a secure and updated ID tag

If your pet does go missing, file a lost animal report with your local police department, 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.

07/16/2024

Canines can suffer from too! This serious tick-borne illness can cause joint pain, fever, and lethargy in our furry friends. Talk to your regular veterinarian about flea and tick prevention options and ask if a Lyme vaccine is right for your pup!

As always, if you notice symptoms of illness in your pet when your regular vet is closed, we are here for you 24/7!

07/15/2024

We wanted to showcase some of our recent patients! Look at all these cuties!!

07/13/2024

Zeke was trying to convince us his belly didn't hurt, he just needed more treats!

07/11/2024

Meet Lilli! She is the Team Lead for our Kennel Assistants and loves working in emergency because there's always something new to learn. In her free time, she likes to read, go kayaking and spend time at the beach. We are so thankful to have Lilli on our team!!! 🤩🐾🚣‍♀️📚☀️

07/09/2024

We are so happy to say that last year RECOVER Training for CPR happened at our hospital for our staff so they can provide better emergency care to patients.

On June 26, the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative unveiled the first major revisions to its global veterinary CPR guidelines since 2012, setting new life-saving standards based on scientific advancements and extensive community feedback.

07/04/2024

WE ARE OPEN!

Happy 4th of July! Let’s celebrate with hot dogs, BBQS, and peace of mind.🎇🐾 Keep your pets safe with these tips and share this post to help promote safety:

1. Create a safe haven indoors away from loud noises.
2. Keep human food and alcohol out of reach.
3. Keep them hydrated and cool in the summer heat.