VERGI To The Rescue

VERGI To The Rescue VERGI 24/7 Animal Emergency and Critical Care Hospital helps local Rescue Groups.

Apollo & The Chocolate Temptation … Don’t let your sweet tooth land you in the ER 🍫🐾Hi, I’m Apollo — 9 pounds of cutenes...
07/02/2025

Apollo & The Chocolate Temptation … Don’t let your sweet tooth land you in the ER 🍫🐾

Hi, I’m Apollo — 9 pounds of cuteness, charm… and apparently, questionable judgment.

One day, I found what I thought was the ultimate snack: chocolate. I didn’t ask permission (rookie move) and didn’t leave any clues — or so I thought. But about 12 hours later, I started vomiting. And surprise! Out came pieces of candy wrapper. Busted.

My human then realized I had “sampled” from that bag of chocolates, but no one knew how much. For a little guy like me (I weigh all of 9 lbs!), that matters — so off we went to VERGI 24/7.

Not all chocolate is created equal (dark is worse than milk, for example), and toxic doses vary based on body weight. That’s why the critical care team called ASPCA Poison Control right away to get expert guidance. They also took x-rays to check for any leftover wrapper bits, ran blood work, monitored my heart with an EKG, gave me anti-nausea meds, fluids, and even probiotics to help calm my tummy.

And guess what? Just 24 hours later, I was perking up — ears up, tail wagging, back to being the Apollo everyone knows and loves. I got to go home, but with strict instructions: if I showed any signs of trouble (vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, confusion, bloody p**p — yikes), my humans had to bring me back immediately.

So here’s the takeaway: if you’re craving a snack, don’t go rogue. Be adorable. Do your sits and your stays. Your humans have the good treats anyway — and they won’t land you in the ER.

Big thanks to the amazing team at VERGI 24/7 for helping me bounce back so fast. You guys are the real treats. 🐶❤️

Meet cute little Lili! Lili is a 2-month-old female kitten who was brought to our hospital for being stuck under a recli...
07/01/2025

Meet cute little Lili! Lili is a 2-month-old female kitten who was brought to our hospital for being stuck under a recliner! Our team noted a large degloving (separation of skin from the body wall) wound on Lili so we performed x-rays and luckily, she had no penetrating wounds, fractures or broken bones. However, Lili had to undergo a fairly extensive surgery to clean and repair the large degloving wound. She went home with pain medication and antibiotics. Lili has visited us for continued wound care, and though she is doing well at home, due to the extensive trauma her skin endured, we are strongly recommending wound care by a soft tissue specialist. We wish sweet Lili a speedy recovery!

As cat and kitten parents know, felines are very curious creatures and will venture into small, enclosed spaces, like the hollow and dangerous areas like underneath a recliner.

Getting trapped or crushed is not the only danger cats face around a recliner. There are electrical dangers as some recliners have the options of things like heating pads, massage and reclining features, and cats can get electrical shock or burns if they chew on cords. Cords can also pose a strangulation danger.

Always monitor use of your recliner around cats. Check them for your feline friends prior to use and lock footrests when not in use. Before lowering footrests, check for kitties hiding under or in the chair. Consider making a barrier around the bottom of your recliner to discourage cat curiosity.

Wait. Why do we do this?
06/29/2025

Wait. Why do we do this?

This makes me laugh. Let’s make a pact to start doing this. Ok?
06/29/2025

This makes me laugh. Let’s make a pact to start doing this. Ok?

Hello cat friends! I’m Simone and my human brought me to VERGI because I had stopped eating for a few days and was weak....
06/28/2025

Hello cat friends! I’m Simone and my human brought me to VERGI because I had stopped eating for a few days and was weak. When I was examined, the emergency veterinary team noted that I was dehydrated and had a fever. A cat’s normal body temperature is between 100 F and 102.5 F. Mine was 103.7, and just like humans, we run a higher-than-normal body temperature when we are sick or have other things going on. My blood was tested and revealed that I had elevated white blood cells (this can be caused by infections from viruses, bacteria, fungi and even parasites; it is also seen sometimes as a response to inflammation), decreased red blood cells (anemia) and I was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats and potentially leads to severe illnesses because it attacks our immune systems. It is possible that I had a fever as a symptom of FIV. Bacterial infections can also cause a fever, but this is usually accompanied by an obvious wound, swelling or other symptoms. Less commonly, a fever may be secondary to inflammation caused by blunt trauma, lymphoma and other tumors, or a systemic fungal infection.

The VERGI team gave me anti-nausea medication, an antibiotic, and fluids for rehydration. They recommended I become an indoor cat because FIV is a transmissible disease between us cats, although not an easily transmissible disease, but mostly they recommended this so that I could have the best chance at staying healthy.

I am glad my humans took me to the ER as soon as I showed signs of a fever. Other signs of fever can include sleeping more than usual, hiding, avoiding activities we normally enjoy and *bonus*, when we have a fever, we too can be warm to the human touch.

Always make sure your humans take you to your primary veterinarian so they can catch diseases that have fever symptoms fast. I am supposed to go back to mine and have my bloodwork rechecked, and possibly receive more intensive care...wish me luck!

Love, Simone 🐾

Hi Everyone, I am Toby and I’m a survivor! See, not too long ago I was in ruff shape. My parents rushed me to the emerge...
06/27/2025

Hi Everyone, I am Toby and I’m a survivor! See, not too long ago I was in ruff shape. My parents rushed me to the emergency hospital when I started having tummy issues and not wanting to eat (which is very unlike me!). The amazing team at VERGI quickly helped us and we found out I was severely dehydrated. Thanks to their quick care and kindness, I am back on my paws and feeling so much better! And that is where I got this cool bandana signed by my care team – how pawesome is that?! Thank you, VERGI family, for helping me wag my tail again.

Wait until you hear my name…🖤Belladonna Luccipurr 🖤That’s the most important part. Well that and my face. All super cute...
06/26/2025

Wait until you hear my name…

🖤Belladonna Luccipurr 🖤

That’s the most important part. Well that and my face. All super cute and adorbs. I know. I know.

So how did I end up on this page, telling my story? I’ll tell ya…

One day, I was not feeling very well. I was tired and not hungry at all (it is especially important that cats eat), and I was running a fever. Mom was worried so she said we were loading up and going to the emergency animal hospital.

The doctor did an exam and found that my tummy was tender when she pushed on it. (I could have told them that but nobody asked. Sigh) They did some tests and said that we may not know the exact cause of my fever. That just happens sometimes. We went home with some supportive medications and they showed mom how to check my temperature if needed. If I didn't do better with supportive care at home, we knew I would need more testing done.

I am going to be a good girl and take my meds for Mom. Also I like the people at VERGI but I don't want go back to them or my regular vet. That’s just how it goes.

Yours truly,
Belladonna Luccipurr

Hellooooooo out therrrrrrrrre! 📣My name is Lily and at less than six months old, I have a lot to learn about life, inclu...
06/25/2025

Hellooooooo out therrrrrrrrre! 📣

My name is Lily and at less than six months old, I have a lot to learn about life, including what to do and what not to do. I recently experienced a valuable lesson – if your human does not give it to you to eat, do not put it in your mouth. Some things can be very dangerous for your health and well-being.

I recently ran across a green block of something and decided to chow down on it. Little did I know it was a rat bait. My human realized what I had done and immediately grabbed me, the box the bait had come from (this is always an important step for toxic ingestions) and off we went to the emergency animal hospital. The critical care team called me a STAT, and that meant hurry because we told the technician what had happened. I was rushed to the treatment room immediately to see the doctor. They induced vomiting in hopes of getting the green junk out of my stomach, but the only thing they got was a little bit of food. Because my human could tell them exactly what I had eaten, they were able to look it up, find out exactly what ingredients were in this green block, and then call the ASPCA Poison Control hotline for specific help- they know all about the things that are very bad for cats and dogs.

The team presented my human with a medical plan that included monitoring overnight, laboratory testing, supportive medication and fluids. It took me a couple of doses of the medication before I had any interest in food but by the next morning, I started feeling much better and eating normally the doctor said I could go home! I had to come back for blood testing every day for the next 3 days. It was very important to keep a close eye on my calcium and phosphorous levels. On my first blood recheck, I was not feeling so good but they convinced me to eat some chicken and said my values were okay, but to be sure to come back the next day. By the time I came back for rechecks two and three, I was feeling much better - more like my little self.

Thank you to everyone at VERGI 24/7 saving my life, and taking such good care of me. I know that I am lucky to be alive!

From now on, no more unapproved taste testing. Promise.

Love, Lily

PS Speaking of my name, this is your reminder that all parts of the lily plant are highly toxic to cats. I can't help but think about my feline friends, too. Sometimes, they get even a little bit of pollen on their fur and even that can be too much for them if they lick it off.

Meet Bentley! Bentley is a 15-year-old male Chihuahua who was brought to our hospital for falling into a pool! Bentley h...
06/24/2025

Meet Bentley! Bentley is a 15-year-old male Chihuahua who was brought to our hospital for falling into a pool! Bentley had already managed to crawl out of the pool when he was found, but had severely injured his back paw pads in the process. Our team soon discovered how hard and desperately Bentley worked to get out of the pool. His paw pads were so severely injured that there was bone exposure and bleeding of his nails. Our critical care team performed radiographs which revealed possible dislocation of one of Bentley’s toes and concerns for joint involvement. Bentley stayed overnight while our team cleaned and bandaged his wounds. He was also started on antibiotics, pain medication and was given fluids. Bentley’s owner decided that he would continue care at his primary vet.

Bentley is his own hero, so we know he will pull through!

Bentley’s case highlights the importance of pet pool safety. It is summer and pools have reopened. It is only natural to want to cool off and take a dip with your pets, or think they won’t accidentally fall in. You can help prevent pet pool accidents by always supervising your pets around any area with water, teaching your dog how to exit the pool safely by using pool steps or a ramp; consider a pool fence, pool alarm, and / or a pool cover. Dogs who are not strong swimmers can benefit from wearing a life jacket.

Accidents happen, and it only takes a moment of running into the house for something quick to remind us that tragedy can show itself in one horrible instant.

We are so glad Bentley is ok, and are grateful to his family for letting us share this story as a reminder that it only takes a second for lives to change forever. Luckily, this little guy and his family get to feel gratefulness instead of grief. Any negative comments will not be tolerated.

🩷💜 (and cats😻)
06/23/2025

🩷💜 (and cats😻)

🩷🩷🩷Even robots understand the importance of a cat choosing your lap as their safe space for a nap. Happy Caturday🐾 ...
06/22/2025

🩷🩷🩷

Even robots understand the importance of a cat choosing your lap as their safe space for a nap.

Happy Caturday🐾

Hi, I’m Meera! I am 13 years old, and I have a serious heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomypathy, or HCM for sho...
06/21/2025

Hi, I’m Meera! I am 13 years old, and I have a serious heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomypathy, or HCM for short. HCM means that the walls of my heart’s left ventricle are very large and very thick. This prevents the proper pumping of oxygenated blood back into my body to keep it working well. There are certain cat breeds that are more often affected by HCM because of their genetics. These breeds are more likely to carry a mutated gene that is involved in building healthy heart muscles. Some of these breeds include: Maine C***s, Persians, Sphynx, Bengals and American Shorthairs.

Hypothyroidism, heart cancer and kidney disease can also cause HCM in cats. Though most cats show no symptoms of HCM, some signs can include: loss of appetite, heart murmur / arrhythmias, fluid in abdomen and / or lungs, difficulty breathing, blot clots and weakness.

It is important to always take your cats to their primary veterinarian for routine checkups so serious conditions like HCM are caught. Your veterinarian can perform a variety of tests to diagnose HCM, including blood tests and xrays, but the best test to diagnose HCM is an ultrasound of the heart. Although there is no cure for HCM, your primary veterinarian can prescribe several medications that can help prevent blot clots and fluid buildup.

On my most recent visit to VERGI, I wasn’t doing too great when I arrived. Fluid had been filling my lungs. I was hospitalized and given supportive care and oxygen support. I was able to go home after I started breathing on my own. The nice people at VERGI started me on a new heart medication to help me.

I want to alert as many cat parents as I can about this very serious condition because according to PetMD, 1 in 7 cats will develop HCM!

Love and purrs,
Meera

Address

Houston, TX

Telephone

+17139329589

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VERGI To The Rescue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to VERGI To The Rescue:

Shortcuts

Share

Category