Veterinary Emergency Referral Center

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Pensacola, FL
Veterinary Emergency Referral Center

Your source for emergency and specialty veterinary care.

Veterinary Emergency Referral Center is a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, offering cardiology, critical care, ophthalmology and surgery specialties. Our state of the art facility and credentialed staff provide support for the local veterinary community in Northwest Florida and Alabama, as well as critical services to thousands of pet owners in our area.

09/11/2024

Today is a day of remembrance for the lives that were lost and the many heroes, both human and animal, who selflessly helped others.

09/02/2024

From the entire VERC Team, we wish you a happy and safe Labor Day! 🐾

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day! 🐶🐾❤️

Share a photo of your pup and tell us why you love them in the comments!! 🐾📸

08/23/2024

August is National Pet Immunization Awareness Month 🐾💉

According to the AVMA, here are 5 reasons why you should vaccinate your pets:

💉Vaccinations prevent many pet illnesses
💉Vaccinations can help avoid costly treatments for diseases that can be prevented
💉Vaccinations prevent diseases that can be passed between animals and people
💉Diseases prevalent in wildlife, such as rabies and distemper can infect unvaccinated pets
💉In many areas, local or state ordinances require certain Vaccinations of household pets.

📞Contact your primary veterinarian to ensure your pets Vaccinations are up to date. 🩺🐾

08/19/2024

Dogs can become confused, depressed, or anxious during back-to-school transitions.

Back to school tips:

📝Establish and stick to a new routine
📝Go for a morning walk
📝Give your dog a puzzle toy or entertainment
📝Keep school supplies and snacks out of paws reach
📝Consider doggy daycare or walker

08/17/2024

Today is National Black Cat Day! 🐈‍⬛️

Unfortunately, black 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. ❤️🐈‍⬛️

07/24/2024

July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month 💦

☀️🐾Here are 6 ways to keep your pet hydrated and staying cool this summer, both indoors and out!

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

07/22/2024

Snake bites can be extremely harmful and potentially fatal for pets ⚠️🐍

Symptoms to look for if your pet has been bitten by a snake🐍:

👉Weakness/lethargy
👉Shaking/twitching
👉Dilated pupils
👉Vomiting
👉Loss of bladder control
👉Blood in urine
👉Breathing difficulties
👉Drooling
👉Bleeding from the wound
👉Paralysis or collapse
👉Swollen around wound

If your pet has any of these symptoms or was bitten by a snake, seek immediate veterinary attention 🩺🐾

07/20/2024

Warm conditions mean an increase in the likelihood of running into snakes 🐍

Safety precautions for snake bite prevention:

✔️Keep your yard neat and tidy (fewer places for snakes to hide)
✔️Clean up spilled food, fruit, or birdseed
✔️Store firewood away from the house
✔️Walk your dog on a leash or obedience train

If your pet gets bitten by a snake, try to get a picture 📸of the snake, and seek immediate veterinary attention. 🩺🐾

07/18/2024

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 safely stored away from paws reach.
💊Some pets can chew through pill bottles, so keep them far away.
💊If you accidentally drop a pill quickly pick it up so you know your pet won't find and eat it.
💊Never give a medication to your pet without consulting your veterinarian first.

If you suspect your pet has consumed a medication, immediately seek veterinary attention or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4435.

07/14/2024

🌡🥵☀️If your pet is showing signs of over heating, seek immediate veterinary attention.

07/11/2024

🔥Did you know 6 minutes is all it takes for a dog to overheat in a hot vehicle and face lifelong or fatal consequences? Pets can still overheat even when the windows are down, or if the car is parked in a shaded area. ☀️🥵🌡

Best advice is to not leave your dog in the car- take them with you or leave them at home with plenty of cool water and shade. They will happily greet you when you return! 🐶

07/09/2024

Summer is here and it is HOT 🔥! Know the signs of heat stroke and protect your pet.

Signs of heat stroke include:
🔥Excessive panting
🔥Excessive drooling
🔥Vomiting
🔥Diarrhea, with and without blood
🔥Weakness
🔥Incoordination or stumbling
🔥Sudden collapse
🔥Seizures

🐾🩺If your pet is experiencing signs of heat stroke, seek immediate veterinary attention.

07/07/2024

🐾Dog paws are just as sensitive as our feet. Here are some ways to protect your dog's paws on 🔥hot pavement:

🐾Check the weather and take precautions before you take your pet outside.
🐾Place the back of your hand on the ground for 10 seconds, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog.
🐾Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when surfaces are cooler.
🐾If your pet can adapt, invest in a pair of booties to protect your pets' paws.

🩺Symptoms of paw burn can include limping, refusing to walk, darker than usual or discolored pads, Excessive licking or biting of the feet, visible blisters, extreme redness, and missing skin or parts of pads.

07/04/2024

From everyone here at the Veterinary Emergency Referral Center, we wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July! 🇺🇲

🩺As a reminder, our hospital will be Open for emergencies. For all holidays we expect an increase in emergencies which means an increase in wait time. We appreciate your patience and understanding. 🐾

07/02/2024

🇺🇲Fourth of July festivities are fun and filled with celebrations, but remember to keep your pet safe and happy too! 🐾

Safety tips:
🎆Take your pet for a walk or play with them to get some energy out before the celebrations begin.
🎆Don't leave your pet outside during fireworks. Place them inside in a safe, quite area.
🎆Keep party food and alcohol away from your pet.
🎆Make sure your pet is wearing ID tags and their microchip info is up to date.

Have a happy and safe 4th! 🐾🇺🇲🎆

06/20/2024

Happy 1st Day of Summer!

☀️The days are longer and the weather is warmer!

06/18/2024

🚨It only takes a few minutes to create a plan for you and your pet in case of an emergency or natural disaster.

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day to all the dads of both human and pet children! 🐾

06/14/2024

June is National Pet Preparedness Month 🚨 This month serves as a helpful reminder of what to do in case of an emergency or natural disaster.

Here are some basic tips to help you prepare but be sure to create a plan that's most fitting for your family.

06/04/2024

Happy Hug Your Cat Day! 🐈 🐈‍⬛️

❓️Did you know that there are scientifically proven health benefits to cat ownership?

❤️Cat owners have a lowered risk of heart disease and stroke due to the relaxing effects felines have on their humans which minimizes stress and lowers blood pressure.

❤️A cat's purr creates vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 hz, and studies have shown that frequencies in the 18-35 hz range have a positive effect on human joint mobility after injury.

❤️If you spend 15-30 minutes a day petting or playing with your cat it can boost your mood! A result due to a rise in serotonin and a decrease in cortisol.

Showing your cat love and affection will let them know you care for them too, so give your cat extra loving today and give them a hug! ❤️🐱

05/29/2024

We had the great pleasure of the world-renowned brilliant Veterinary neurologist, Dr. Joli Jarboe, DVM, DACVIM (neurology) visiting our hospital. Dr. Jarboe and Dr. Nanai performed a Surgery on a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to treat her severe Chiari-like malformation with syringohydromyelia.
The patient presented with severe neck pain in spite of medications. We performed an MRI with our high field 1.5T GE human-grade MRI machine, diagnosing a severe case of Chiari malformation with syringohydromyelia. Syringohydromyelia describes fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord that develop secondary to under-development of the back of the skull. This causes an obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Typical treatment includes pain management, directed toward the nervous system. In severe cases, such as this patient, surgery is needed to decompress the back of the skull opening and enlarge the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. After decompression, a dural graft is placed to prevent future adhesions and recurrence of pain and neurological signs such as neck scratching.
The surgery went as planned and so far recovery is uncomplicated. Complete healing will take several months and lots of support from the patients' family and primary care doctor.
We can't thank Dr. Jarboe enough for her wealth of knowledge and skills. This was a great experience for everyone involved and she is welcome to visit us any time!

Thank you Dr. Joli Jarboe!

05/27/2024

Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇲❤️

Today we honor those who lost their lives while serving in the US military. Because of their bravery, we are able to celebrate today with our family and friends.

As a reminder, our hospital will be Open today for the holiday weekend. Please call if you have any emergency concerns 📞

05/25/2024

While you're having fun with friends and family this Memorial Day Weekend, remember the following tips to help keep your pets safe this holiday:

🇺🇲Cookouts are popular, but the food and drinks may be dangerous for pets. A few especially toxic examples include alcohol, grapes, onions, chocolate, and avocado.

🇺🇲Never leave your pets unsupervised around a pool, lake or ocean. If you take your dog on a boat, we recommend having them wear a flotation device and keep them from drinking salt water.

🇺🇲Be sure that your pet has appropriate ID tags and up to date microchip information. People leaving doors open and loud noises can increase your pets chances of escaping.

🇺🇲Be sure your pet has easy access to plenty of water, preferably in a shafy spot.

🇺🇲As a reminder, our hospital will be Open for the holiday weekend. Please call if you have any emergency concerns. 📞

05/24/2024

We are so proud of our doctors, Dr. Beatrix Nanai and Dr. Rose Lemarie, who had the honor of presenting a 2-hour continuing education speech for the Northwest Florida Veterinary Association on "The Orthopedic and The Neurological Gait Analysis" and on epilepsy. It was a wonderful night of presentations highlighting the differences between root signature and orthopedic lameness, and providing perks on epilepsy management with videos and case presentations. Dr. Lemarie, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons specializes in Orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. Dr. Nanai, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology/Neurosurgery, specializes in neurology/neurosurgery and soft tissue surgeries. They are always available for questions, case discussions, and referrals for patients in need!

Address

4800 N Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL
32503

Telephone

(850) 477-3914

Website

http://vetemergencycenter.com/

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Videos

As we start another week, don't forget a little self-care goes a long way ❤️🐾🐱

Did you know that July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month? 💦 Here are 6 ways to keep your pets hydrated and staying cool this summer: 💧Endless supply of fresh water 💧Frozen pet-friendly treats 💧Cooling mat to lay on 💧Shaded area with a fan 💧Plastic kiddie pool filled with water 💧Access to A/C and belly rubs ❤️

🥵HEAT ADVISORY 🥵 High temperatures and high humidity today and tomorrow! ☀️Limit outside time ☀️Don't leave your pet in the car ☀️Provide plenty of water ☀️Look out for heat stroke symptoms If your pet has any symptoms of heat stroke, seek immediate veterinary attention! #besafe #heatadvisory🔥 #pensacola #petsafety #heatstroke

-GIVEAWAY- closed June 30, 2022 Winner- Linda Kline Kelly!! With hurricane season upon us, we wanted to share our Evacuation and First-Aid Kit Essentials. Join Dr. Rachel Takalo and Kate Adams as they go over must-have items for your pets to be prepared. Link to First- Aid Kit Form! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gecsT08-_zIdF5ACddLq6o_fswBTHgFbv4oMBqN4NBs/edit?usp=sharing GIVEAWAY ALERT- We are giving away the complete Evacuation and First-Aid Kit to one soon-to-be-prepared pet parent! To enter to win this kit, just like the video and like/follow The Veterinary Emergency Referral Center on Facebook! A Winner will be randomly selected on June 30th, 2022. We will contact you privately through Facebook. (Please be aware of scams, we will not ask for money or personal information).

We love our team members that are passionate to share their knowledge! Follow along as Katelyn guides us through Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat.

Grapes and raisins are an "idiosyncratic" toxicity, meaning many dogs may ingest grapes or raisins and will never develop kidney damage- it is unpredictable which ones will. Today, Dr. Takalo walks us through the common hazards associated with pets ingesting grapes and raisins🍇 Resource: Merk Veterinary Manual Online: merkvetmanual.com

Did you know that Xylitol is only toxic to dogs!! 🐶 Join us today as Dr. Takalo discusses the hazards of Xylitol and what you should look out for if your pet ingests it. Resource: Merk Veterinary Manual Online: merkvetmanual.com

Rodenticides: Anticoagulants

Did you know that not all rodenticides, or rat poisons, can affect your pet in the same way? Anticoagulants are the ONLY rodenticide with an antidote! If you want to learn more about the three most common types of rat poisons, then follow along as Dr. Takalo covers Anticoagulants today! Resource: Merk Veterinary Manual Online: merkvetmanual.com