Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville

04/11/2025

🐾✨ Happy National Pet Day! ✨🐾

Today’s the perfect day to celebrate the little (or big!) companions who bring so much love, comfort, and happiness into our lives. From goofy grins to gentle snuggles, our pets remind us every day what pure joy looks like. 💖

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
— Anatole France

We’d love to see the pets that make your world brighter—share a photo of your furry, feathered, or scaly friend in the comments! 🐶🐱🐰🦜🐾

❤️

03/25/2025

🐾 March is Pet Poison Prevention Month! 🐾

As pet parents, it's important to be vigilant about the potential dangers around your furry friends. Here are the Top 5 Tips to keep your pets safe from poisoning:
1. Exercise caution with houseplants - Many plants are harmful to pets. Keep them out of reach or swap for pet-friendly options.
2. Be mindful in the kitchen - Many human-safe items can be dangerous to pets. Always double-check before feeding!
3. Store medications securely - Keep pills, prescriptions, and other toxic substances safely out of your pet’s reach.
4. Watch closely while outdoors - Ensure your pets aren’t consuming something harmful while outside.
5. Be prepared for emergencies - Know the signs of poisoning and have a plan in place.

🚨 Top 10 Poisons of 2024 for Dogs:
Chocolate
Grapes/Raisins
Bromethalin (rat poison)
Xylitol
Ibuprofen
Ma*****na (THC)
Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Vitamin D3 (overdose)
Carprofen (overdose)
Onions/Chives/Leeks/Shallots

🚨 Top 10 Poisons of 2024 for Cats:
Lilies (Lilium species)
Chocolate
Onions/Chives/Leeks/Shallots
Garlic
Ibuprofen
Alstroemeria/Peruvian Lily
Vitamin D3 (overdose)
Amphetamine Combos
Carprofen (overdose)
Tulips

⚠️ Signs & Symptoms of Pet Poisoning ⚠️
Gastrointestinal: Inappetence, drooling/hypersalivating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Internal Bleeding: Pale gums, racing heart rate, weakness, collapse, coughing up/vomiting blood
Kidney Failure: Vomiting, excessive thirst or urination, decreased urination, "uremic" breath
Liver Failure: Yellowing of the skin, eyes, or gums, weakness, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, black-tarry stools

💡 Steps to Take if Your Pet is Poisoned:
Move your pet to a safe environment.
Monitor for abnormal behavior or symptoms.
DO NOT induce vomiting without professional guidance.
DO NOT try home remedies.
Reach out to the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help.
Contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency clinic immediately.

Let’s keep our pets safe and healthy! Share these tips with your fellow pet parents. 💚🐕🐈

02/20/2025

It's "Love Your Pet Day," and we would be paws-itively thrilled to see pictures of all your beloved furbabies!

02/19/2025

We take sNOw days off around here--no matter the hour or season!

We trust you're cozy and making the most of the snowy weather with your loved ones. But if the need arises, don't worry! We are just a call away.

02/17/2025

Let's "Beat the Heat" this February for Spay/Neuter Awareness Month! Check out the link below to gain more insight on a few of the reasons we recommend spaying/neutering your pet.

https://www.aaha.org/resources/spay-or-neuter/

01/27/2025

Did you know that January is also Train Your Dog Month? Training and socializing your dog are essential for their well-being and for creating a positive environment for everyone around them! Contemporary training methods emphasize humane, science-backed techniques that focus on building a strong, respectful relationship with your dog through communication and trust. This approach ensures both you and your dog can truly enjoy your time together.

When looking for a trainer or practicing on your own, prioritize positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training and using rewards like treats, toys, and praise. It's important to steer clear of practices that involve fear, pain, or anxiety, including tools like choke collars, prong collars, and shock collars. Below, you'll find some highly recommended local trainers and helpful resources to make your training sessions fun, effective, and rewarding for both you and your furry friend!

https://somerspetbehaviorsolutions.com/

https://www.caribbeancanines.net/

https://thebarkknoxville.com/dog-training/

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/learning-theory-101-modern-training-techniques/

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/kit/training-101/ -content

https://cattledogpublishing.com/i-am-pet-owner/

01/26/2025

January is recognized as Walk Your Pet Month—an excellent opportunity to kick off the new year on a positive note for both you and your furry companions. Regular walks provide numerous benefits, including improved physical health, mental stimulation, enhanced socialization, and opportunities for training. It’s also a wonderful way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

01/22/2025

Ever wondered what your cat is thinking? Well, today is National Answer Your Cat's Question Day! This playful and insightful observance encourages pet owners to dive into the mysteries of their feline companion’s mind, fostering a deeper connection through greater understanding and communication. Check out the resources below to learn more about your cat’s behavior and tendencies:

https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/kit/cats-101/

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language

01/21/2025

Happy National Hugging Day! It’s been said that a warm hug can speak volumes, offering comfort and connection in a way words often can't. Not only do hugs make us feel good, but they also come with a host of health benefits—reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and boosting both heart and mental health. So, embrace those you care about today and share the love!

01/20/2025

This educational post from Elanco provides some insight into just how cold is too cold for dogs. Check it out!

01/20/2025

It's FURR-eezing outside! Help keep your pets safe with these cold weather animal safety tips: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/cold-weather-animal-safety

12/20/2024

This time of year presents numerous potential risks to pets. Here are some recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association to help ensure your pets remain safe during the holiday season.

It’s the most festive time of the year…but it can also be a risky time for your pets. Keep your holidays happy and safe by following these “Holiday pet DON’TS.” AVMA members - you can download and print this helpful flyer to display at your clinic by visiting https://bit.ly/3VdkDeG