Advanced Veterinary Specialists

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Advanced Veterinary Specialists

Advanced Veterinary Specialists is a 24/7 Emergency & Specialty Hospital.

Boarded Specialists:
Andrea Wells
Nanelle Barash, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Sharon Shields
Hilary Ludwig, DVM, DACVS-SA (Surgeon)
Diana Budreckis, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
TJ Morrison

Doctors:
Morgan Weintraub, DVM (Emergency)
Samar Mohsenian, DVM (Emergency)
Adele Jennings, DVM (Emergency)
Natasha Gallo, DVM (Emergency)

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day from all of us at AVS!

As you enjoy a well-deserved day off, know that our team is here, ready to care for your pets if they need us. Emergencies don’t take holidays, and neither do we.

We wish you and your furry family members a safe and happy Labor Day!

08/30/2025

Meet Scooby, our August Patient of the Month!

Scooby, a 6-month-old Pitbull mix, was brought to AVS by a Good Samaritan who found him alone in a local park, sick and in need of care. With no vaccine history, our team immediately tested him for Canine Parvovirus—a highly contagious and often life-threatening virus in young, unvaccinated dogs. Fortunately, Scooby tested negative. With the support from our friends at Santa Barbara City Animal Services, we were able to treat him for severe gastroenteritis, an illness causing vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Even while feeling unwell, Scooby quickly won our hearts with his gentle nature and sweet personality. While hospitalized, we searched for his family, but no one came forward. After a few days of IV fluids and supportive care, Scooby was strong enough to leave the hospital, where one of our veterinary technicians fostered him temporarily.

This goofy, cuddly pup is crate-trained, potty-trained, walks well on a leash, and gets along with dogs of all sizes. Scooby is now in foster care through Santa Barbara County Animal Services and waiting for his forever home. If you think Scooby could be part of your family, visit Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 5473 Overpass Road to meet him!

Thanks to the compassion of our community, dogs like Scooby get a second chance at life. We are grateful for your support in helping us save animals every day.

08/28/2025

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. 🌈 This day is dedicated to celebrating the lives of our past pets and the joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love they brought us. They become family and we will be forever grateful for the companionship of our pets.

We’d be honored if you shared photos of the pets you’re remembering today—those who’ve left paw prints on your heart.

08/21/2025

We’re thrilled to see our community come together for this weekend’s Pride Pet Parade!

As your local emergency veterinary hospital, we’re here to cheer you on and help keep your pets safe and happy during the festivities. Here are a few quick tips to ensure a fun and safe experience for all:

💧 Hydration is Key – Bring plenty of fresh water for your pet and offer it often.
☀️ Watch the Heat – Beware of heatstroke and keep in mind that hot pavement can burn paws.
🦴 Costume Comfort – Dress them up, but make sure costumes are breathable, non-restrictive, and don’t block vision or movement.
📍 ID Tags On – With all the excitement, pets can get lost. Make sure they’re microchipped and wearing up-to-date ID tags.
🧘 Know Their Limits – If your pet seems overwhelmed by the noise or the crowd, it’s okay to take a break or head home early.

Let’s make this a safe, colorful, and paws-itively fabulous event!

08/19/2025

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of our beloved veterinary surgeon, Dr. Shields. As one of our founding doctors, she has been a cornerstone of our hospital for the past 13 years, providing compassionate, expert care to countless pets and families in our community.

Dr. Shields has decided to embark on an exciting new chapter and will soon be leaving California. While we are incredibly sad to see her go, we are also thrilled for her as she begins this next adventure.

Her dedication, surgical skill, and genuine warmth have left a lasting impact on all of us—clients, patients, and team members alike. We are so grateful for everything she’s done to help shape our hospital and serve this community with heart and excellence.

While we search for a new full-time surgeon to join our team, we’ll continue to offer surgical care with the help of highly qualified board-certified surgeons. We are committed to ensuring that your pets are in expert hands during this transition. Our goal is to limit any disruption to our ability to care for your pets and maintain the high standard of surgical services our community relies on.

Please join us in wishing Dr. Shields all the best on her journey. She will always be a part of our AVS family, and her legacy will continue to inspire the work we do every day.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to hospital leadership if you have any questions or concerns.

With heartfelt appreciation,
The AVS Team

08/14/2025

When a pet is diagnosed with cancer, it can feel like the ground shifts beneath you. We understand how heavy that news can be. Our veterinary oncologist offers compassionate, expert care for pets with cancer. Our team is here to explore treatment options with you, support you, and guide you every step of the way.

Every pet is unique, and so is every treatment plan. We focus on comfort, quality of life, and making sure you feel informed and supported throughout the process.

Give us a call at (805) 729-4460 if you would like to schedule an appointment with our oncologist.

08/12/2025

Tomatoes are a popular garden crop this time of year. However, green tomatoes contain solanine which can put your pets at risk. 🍅 In most cases, we can see gastrointestinal irritation even with a small amount ingested.

If you suspect your pet has consumed green tomatoes, connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435.

08/08/2025

Did you know that your dog’s paws are just as sensitive as the soles of your feet? On a sunny day, pavement can heat up fast—77°F air temperature can mean 125°F asphalt, hot enough to burn paws in just 60 seconds!

Here’s how to keep your pup safe this summer:

🤚 Do the 10-second hand test: Place the back of your hand on the pavement. Too hot for you? Too hot for them.
🌅 Walk during cooler hours—early morning or late evening.
👟 Consider dog booties for extra protection.
🌿 Don’t forget: artificial grass can get just as hot as pavement!

🚨 Watch for signs of paw burn: limping, licking feet, discolored pads, blisters, or missing skin.

Come see us right away if your dog experiences burnt paws this summer.

08/04/2025

We feel this duck's excitement! These puppies are adorable! 😍

07/31/2025

🌈 A tribute to two incredibly brave dogs, and a call to protect others like them.

With broken hearts, we remember Willow and Bailey—two extraordinary dogs who were deeply loved, inseparable in life, and taken far too soon by Castor Bean poisoning.

Their devoted families fought with everything they had to save them, and our medical team provided around-the-clock care. Willow and Bailey, ever courageous, never gave up. But despite every effort, the effects of this toxic plant were simply too devastating.

Willow and Bailey were more than pets—they were family. Joyful, loyal, and best friends to each other. In their memory, we share their story in hopes of raising awareness and preventing similar tragedies.

What you need to know about Castor Bean poisoning:
⚠️ The Ricinus communis plant (Castor Bean) is an invasive ornamental found in gardens and yards. It is also found along many popular local walks and hikes in our area.
⚠️ Every part—especially the seeds—contains ricin, a deadly toxin.
⚠️ Ingestion symptoms may be delayed, including vomiting, drooling, lethargy, tremors, and organ failure.
⚠️ Immediate medical care is critical once ingestion is suspected.

In honor of Willow and Bailey, please:
✅ Check your yard for Castor Bean plants and remove them.
✅ Stay alert when pets are outside—curious noses can lead to danger.
✅ Act fast—call your vet immediately if you suspect exposure.
✅ Share their story. Awareness can save lives.

07/29/2025

We love caring for our community's pets!

07/24/2025

Keep your pets safe this summer by keeping them away from blue-green algae which thrives in bodies of fresh water when the weather is 75+ degrees and sunny. Cyanobacteria is incredibly toxic to animals and humans.

Pets can develop poisoning when they drink from, or even swim in, contaminated water sources. This algae may appear as pea-green-looking paint or as a green slime and is typically found in ponds and lakes, but can be present in oceans, fresh water, damp soil, outdoor fountains, and even on rocks.

If your pet is exposed to blue-green algae, signs may develop in as little as a few minutes or may take up to 12 hours to arise. If ingested, it can cause severe neurologic or liver damage. Symptoms may include drooling, disorientation, weakness, vomiting, excessive panting, collapse, seizures, respiratory failure, and could be fatal.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to blue-green algae, give us a call immediately! You can also connect with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Address

414 E Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Telephone

+18057294460

Website

http://www.avs4pets.com/

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