Pet+E.R.

08/12/2024

We are hiring! 🐾 ❤️ Join our team and 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 emergency vet immediately.

08/06/2024

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! 💞 🐾

08/02/2024

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 weekend.

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!

06/27/2024

Blake, a beautiful 7-year-old labrador retriever, visited Pet+E.R. after falling from a second story balcony. This fall caused her spleen to rupture and her belly to fill with blood. Blake was admitted to the hospital for pain medications, supportive care, and careful monitoring. While in the hospital, she received a blood transfusion, along with lots of love & close attention!

Blake was transfered over to our surgery department (Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists) to have a splenectomy surgery done and returned to the ER for post operative care.

05/30/2024

The The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Brew at the Zoo made another big splash this year and we were pleased to sponsor once again! Our can coolers, shades and crab mallets were a hit! We loved hearing heartfelt stroies from our clients that stopped by to say hello. Thank you for all your kind words and support, and we'll see you next year!

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.

05/23/2024

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Brew at the Zoo is coming up this weekend and we are the official Penguin Pairing sponsor. This is one of our favorite events to sponsor - we love hanging out at the Zoo!

Stop by our tent, grab some sunglasses and koozies and learn more about our Hunt Valley location!

05/20/2024

Meet Amy, our veterinary social worker!

05/17/2024

Meet Duke!
Duke is a 11 month old Pittie, who presented to us for a foreign body obstruction.

A gastrotomy (surgical removal of the foreign object from the stomach) was performed, along with a resection and anastomosis (surgical removal of a section of the intestines). Duke had gotten into a hair tie and a few other items of contraband.

Fortunately, Duke recovered very well and he is at home giving Mom all the best kisses!

05/15/2024

Pneumothorax is a condition where air leaks out of the lungs into the chest cavity, which compresses the lungs and makes it very difficult to breathe. It can be life-threatening, especially if the air continues to leak and build up around the lungs. Pneumothorax is most commonly seen due to trauma, such as being hit by a car, but a pneumothorax can also develop without trauma. This is called spontaneous pneumothorax, and is a condition we see in dogs, people, and less commonly cats.

Spontaneous pneumothorax can be the result of underlying lung disease, which can cause large air pockets to develop in the lungs called bulla or blebs. These bulla/blebs can rupture and leak air around the lungs. Clinical signs of a spontaneous pneumothorax include restlessness, labored/short shallow breathing, and fast breathing. While we often diagnose a pneumothorax with x-rays, CT scans are also performed to help determine the cause of a spontaneous pneumothorax.

Maggie, a 2-year-old Labrador, presented to Pet+E.R. Hunt Valley as a transfer from another emergency clinic for spontaneous pneumothorax. She was seen at the first hospital with the complaint of shallow breathing that was worsening. She had x-rays taken, which showed free air around her lungs. The free air was compressing her lungs and making it hard for her to breathe. She was given some sedation and had some of the air removed from around her lungs with a needle to help her breathing during transport.

Maggie was breathing better when she presented to us, but recheck x-rays confirmed that there was still a pneumothorax. Maggie was placed under general anesthesia (this is much safer than sedation for this procedure), and our team placed two chest tubes, one on each side of her chest. The chest tubes were attached to a continuous suction device to continuously remove the air that was leaking from her lungs. Maggie was continued on pain medication and antibiotics overnight, and the following day she received a CT scan of her lungs, but it did not find a cause for the air leaking.

Surgery is often recommended to explore the chest and lungs to try to find and remove the leaking lung lobe. That was not an option in Maggie’s case, so we opted to try a technique called an autologous blood patch pleurodesis.

For this procedure, Maggie was given a mild sedative and had a volume of blood taken from her jugular vein. This blood was then immediately infused into each chest tube and around her lungs. Maggie was then rocked back and forth to distribute the blood around her lungs. We paused the continuous suction of Maggie’s chest tubes, and switched to intermittent suction. Luckily, we were not able to get any air out of her chest tubes. Maggie’s breathing continued to be normal the following day, and there was no longer a pneumothorax. She was able to be sent home, and continues to do well without any issues!

While surgical exploration of the chest is still considered the gold standard for a spontaneous pneumothorax, blood patch pleurodesis is a very reasonable option to consider for patients where surgery is not an option.

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day! ❤️ Whether your babies have fur, feathers, fins, or scales, thank you for opening up your heart and home to animals in need of a loving mom! We hope your day is full of love and appreciation for all you do.

05/10/2024

If you have gently used towels, soft blankets and comforters that you are no longer using, we will happily take them off your hands to make hospital stays a little cozier for our patients.

We are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 10626 York Road in Hunt Valley.

05/09/2024

It's May and that means that summer and one of our favorite community events is right around the corner!

We are thrilled to return to the The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore for Brew at the Zoo on May 25 and 26 as the official Penguin Pairing sponsor.

Stop by our tent, grab some sunglasses and koozies and learn more about our Hunt Valley location!

05/07/2024

Pumpkin presented to us for an increase in her breathing and effort. After her exam, Pumpkin was hospitalized for oxygen therapy and a consult with CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets. It was discovered Pumpkin had degenerative valve disease, and congestive heart failure. She was started on medications and, after time, able to be weaned off oxygen therapy.

Pumpkin is now home enjoying the sunshine with her family.

We often collaborate with our specialty partners to facilitate in-hospital consultations and transfers, but we can not always accommodate these types of visits on the same-day that a patient arrives to Pet+E.R.

If your veterinarian feels that your pet may need an emergency consult with a specialist, please ask them to call 410-252-8387 to discuss their concerns with one of our Emergency and Critical Care veterinarians in advance of your arrival.

05/01/2024

It’s National Pet First Aid Awareness Month 🩹 With the warmer weather approaching, everyone is more likely to be out with their pets at parks, on vacations, and in new areas. 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.

04/27/2024

Happy !

Join us in celebrating all those who have dedicated their lives to being the voice for the voiceless.

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!

04/22/2024

Tonight begins the Passover holiday. Wishing love, peace, and happiness to all those who celebrate.❤️🐾

04/19/2024

Bailey presented to Pet+E.R. Hunt Valley for having too much fun chewing on his bone!

As shown in the top picture, he got his bottom jaw stuck in the hole in the center of the bone! Bailey was so brave and loved showing everyone his bone. He was asking for snuggles and giving kisses. He was not phased, even a little.

With some light sedation for Bailey's safety and the safety of our staff, we were able to quickly remove the bone.

Bailey returned home to surround himself around his favorite toys!

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, call our office at 410-252-8387.

04/16/2024

Larry presented to Pet+E.R. for lethargy, some vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing a little heavier than normal. It was discovered that Larry had developed aspiration pneumonia. He was hospitalized and treated. He is now home recovering well!

04/13/2024

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://bit.ly/48M9VR5

If you suspect your cat has consumed lilies, immediately contact Pet+ER Hunt Valley at 410-252-8387 You can also connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

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

03/29/2024

Pawject Runway is almost here, and Pet+E.R. is proud to be a Cuddle Corner sponsor this year! We hope to see you at CGF Bank Arena on April 4 for this lifesaving and SUPER fun runway show. You’ll rub shoulders with famous faces…and rub a lot of furry bellies!

P.S. We’ve been told that BARCS Animal Shelter is bringing 50+ animals who need to step off the “catwalk” and into their forever homes that night. Let’s get all of them adopted!

03/26/2024

Our hearts are with those affected by the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early this morning.

While structures can be rebuilt, lives lost cannot be replaced. We send gratitude and appreciation to the first responders on scene, and compassion to the families of victims whose fate remains unknown.

03/22/2024

Rodenticides become more commonly used this time of year, so we want to remind you of the dangers of using this poison. ☠ Rodenticides are effective due to their ingredients that attract rodents - and unfortunately these ingredients can attract dogs and cats as well. This incredibly toxic poison can cause bleeding, kidney failure, seizures, or even death.

Ultimately, we recommend avoiding using rodenticides and calling a local pest control professional. If you do decide to use rodenticides in or near your home, here are our tips to ensure your pet stays safe:

1. Keep the original packaging or receipt of the product. Many rodenticides look alike so the appearance cannot always be used to identify them. If you do not have the packaging or receipt and you are unsure of which type of rodenticide was ingested, treatment is still possible.

2. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a rodenticide, contact us at 410-252-8387 to bring them in ASAP. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (800)-213-6680. *Consultation fees may apply.

3. When using any kind of poison, do your best to keep track of the following and write down these details: the room it was used, the exact location you placed it, and how much was used. Check these areas regularly to ensure the poison hasn't been moved or eaten by your pet. Before using, ALWAYS consider if your pet has access to the location.

4. NEVER mix a rodenticide with human or pet food as an attempt to attract rodents. That will only further increase the chances of your pet ingesting the poison accidentally.

03/21/2024

Has your kitty eaten something potentially dangerous? Do NOT induce vomiting in felines!

According to Pet Poison Helpline, "The internet can be full of misinformation, and whether or not hydrogen peroxide can be given to cats is unfortunately, a topic that can lead to deadly consequences. There is no safe or effective way to make our feline friends vomit at home, that includes using hydrogen peroxide. In fact, using something like hydrogen peroxide can cause significant injury to a cat’s gastrointestinal system, potentially causing more damage than the original issue. Cats are extremely sensitive to the gastric irritant effects of hydrogen peroxide and giving any amount by mouth can have severe negative effects that can lead to death. If your pet ingested something you are concerned may be toxic, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline right away before attempting to perform any treatments at home."

You can call Pet+E.R. at 410-252-8387 any time of day or night.
Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at (800)-213-6680. Consultation fees may apply.

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 is National Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month and today kicks off Pet Poison Prevention Week. We’ll be sharing information over the next week about the potential dangers of pet poisonings and how to prevent them.

In the event of a poisoning or toxin exposure, quick action and expert advice are critical. We recommend you save numbers and addresses in your phone for your veterinarian, your nearest emergency animal hospital, and a poison control hotline.

Pet+E.R. Hunt Valley is open 24/7/365 | 410-252-8387

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is staffed by board-certified veterinary toxicologists and specialist technicians and are available every day 24/7. They can be reached at (888) 426-4435

The Pet Poison Helpline is also available 24/7 and can be reached at (855) 764-7661.

*consultation fees may apply for helpline calls

03/17/2024

Dallas is ready for St. Patrick's Day!

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.

We are always here to help in the event of an emergency. Come straight in, or call 410-252-8387 to speak to a staff member.

03/15/2024

We love you, BARCS Animal Shelter 🤍🐾

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, BARCS has been able to provide medical care to hundreds of animals each year through the Franky Fund. A pivotal factor in achieving this has been our partnerships with local veterinary hospitals and clinics. BARCS is so grateful for these partnerships, as they play a significant role in saving the lives of thousands of homeless shelter animals in need of emergency and specialized medical attention.

This week, our heartfelt thanks go out to the wonderful team at PET+ ER Hunt Valley. The care provided by the PET+ ER HV team has touched the lives of countless BARCS animals, including Dolphin, who received urgent treatment, all made possible by the incredible generosity of our amazing Franky Fund partner.

Poor mama Dolphin came to BARCS in a critical condition due to birth complications. Upon intake, it was relayed to our veterinary team that she had already given birth to three kittens, but unfortunately, one of her babies became stuck in the birth canal, leaving her struggling for four long hours. To save Dolphin's life, we knew we had to act fast, so we immediately transferred her to our wonderful Franky Fund partner.

In the care of the PET+ ER HV team, Dolphin was assisted in removing her deceased kitten and ensuring she had no more babies struggling to be born. Not only was her life saved, but her kittens were also spared from becoming orphans. She was reported to be a sweet, gentle, and cooperative patient. Dolphin did great and was monitored overnight while she rested and nursed her babies.

After being cleared, Dolphin and her adorable kittens returned to BARCS. Thankfully, they didn't have to spend much time in the kennels because a kind-hearted foster welcomed Dolphin and her babies into their home. Now, she's enjoying some well-deserved pampering while caring for her precious bundles of joy.

Thank you to Pet+E.R. Hunt Valley for all of the love and care you give to the BARCS animals who come through your doors!💙

We would not be able to do what we do without them—and without YOU, our Franky Fund donors. This program relies completely on private donations. Please help us always be ready to save animals like Dolphin by giving to our Franky Fund.

🐾 You can donate on this link https://www.barcs.org/urgent-care/