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)

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Our hospital is open 24 hours a day if you need us. We hope your day is filled with fun, spooky vibes, and wagging tails!

Are your pets in costume this year? Comment a picture below!

10/28/2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! Our team is fully committed to providing the highest level of treatment and care for your pet. Your trust in us means everything!

10/26/2025

Halloween is just around the corner! Are you ready? We recommend taking a few extra precautions to keep your pets calm and safe this holiday:

1) Make sure your pets are wearing their collars and identification tags.
2) Keep them clear of the door (in a separate room) if you expect a lot of new visitors or unusual activity. This will prevent them from darting outside.
3) Watch out for decorations that can be hazards, like lit candles, glowsticks, wires, cobwebs, or other items.
4) Have a dress rehearsal. Check your pet’s costume to ensure they have full mobility and can breathe properly. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted and may lead to injury.

If you encounter any emergencies with your pet over Halloween, contact Advanced Veterinary Specialists at (805) 729-4460. We're open 24/7/365 for emergencies.

10/22/2025

🌟🐾 Patient of the Month: Zeke! 🐾🌟

Meet Zeke, an 11-year-old Queensland mix with a heart as big as his smile. 💛

Zeke first came to our Oncology team in April 2024 for treatment of recurrent mast cell tumors—the most common skin tumor in dogs. After multiple growths were found, he needed revisional surgery on his muzzle. Thanks to the skill of Dr. Shields and her team, the surgery was a success, and all of the cancer in that area was removed. 🙌

Zeke then bravely completed an eight-dose chemotherapy protocol with the love and support of his amazing dad, David. And this week, at his recheck with Dr. Budreckis, we were thrilled to celebrate one full year of remission! 🎉🐶💪

Over the past year, Zeke has been living life to the fullest—hiking trails, camping, and soaking up every adventure with his dad. Please join us in celebrating Zeke and cheering him on as he enjoys this new chapter of health and happiness!

10/20/2025

Fall calls for all kinds of autumn decorations around the house to kick off the season! But many decorations can look like fun new toys or tasty treats to your pets. Be mindful this season when putting up new décor around the house and do what you can to proactively prevent accidents!

Keep what you can out of paw's reach and double-check that any new plants, foods, and household products are pet safe before bringing them into your house: https://bit.ly/3svu6A6

We hope your fall season is fun and safe for all family, friends, and pets!

10/16/2025

AVS is proud to provide advanced surgical care delivered by board-certified surgeons. Whether it's orthopedic, soft tissue, or neurological surgery, your pet is in capable hands. In addition to the surgical procedure, you can be assured that your companion will receive:

- 24-hour care, including monitoring of vital signs and diet by our veterinarians and nursing staff
- Precisely administered pain medications and antibiotics, following your surgeon's specific instructions at all times
- Clean bedding and compassionate personal attention to ensure your pet's physical comfort and emotional well-being
- Regular updates for you and your referring veterinarian

Your pet's care and comfort are our top priorities.

Learn more about surgery at AVS --> https://www.avs4pets.com/services/surgery

10/13/2025

Today kicks off ! This is our favorite time of year when we get to show additional gratitude for our team members that work tirelessly to care for our patients' pets.

From our entire family here at Advanced Veterinary Specialists, thank you all for the love and compassion you give to our patients every day!

10/09/2025

Today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day! Although we love the different shapes and sizes of our pet patients, obesity can lead to many serious health issues including diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, decreased life expectancy, and cancer.

If you are concerned about your pet's weight, we recommend speaking with your primary care veterinarian to determine the most appropriate plan for diet and exercise.

Check out this resource from AVMA for more information about speaking to your veterinarian about your pet's weight: https://bit.ly/3o8tOtg

10/07/2025

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a condition commonly referred to as "bloat". This is a critical medical issue for dogs, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Bloat happens when gas or food stretches a dog's stomach. The distended stomach rotates, trapping the gas inside and blocking off the stomach's blood supply. This can develop quickly, without warning, and requires immediate medical attention.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent bloat:

🐶 Encourage your dog to eat slowly
🐶 Feed smaller controlled portions
🐶 Don’t feed them right after exercise or when over-excited/panting heavily
🐶 Keep them at a healthy weight

If you suspect your dog has bloat, contact Advanced Veterinary Specialists at (805) 729-4460.

10/03/2025

We're thrilled to welcome Jillian Lake, DVM, to our team at AVS in Santa Barbara!

With a lifelong passion for animals and a background in Zoology from UC Santa Barbara, she has dedicated her career to animal care. After years of working in canine physical therapy and completing her veterinary training at both Utah State University and Washington State University, Dr. Lake is ready to bring her expertise and compassion to our community.

Learn more about Dr. Lake -->https://bit.ly/4nTkysq

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.

Address

414 E Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Telephone

+18057294460

Website

http://www.avs4pets.com/

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