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)

07/01/2025

📢 Important Update

At Advanced Veterinary Specialists, the pets and families of Santa Barbara are at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to providing top-notch, compassionate care—no matter the circumstance—and are proud to serve this incredible community.

Due to the temporary closure of a neighboring animal emergency hospital, our emergency department is currently experiencing an increase in patient volume. As a result, you may experience longer-than-usual wait times for emergency services. If our capacity is exceeded, we may need to divert non-critical or stable cases to ensure we can care for the most urgent patients without delay. Please know that we will only take this step when absolutely necessary, and only after every effort has been made to accommodate each patient safely and effectively.

Please rest assured that our triage protocols remain fully in place, and our dedicated team is doing everything possible to provide timely, high-quality care to every pet in need. We are incredibly grateful for your patience, kindness, and understanding as we navigate this temporary challenge together.

This update only affects our emergency services—our specialty departments (oncology, internal medicine, and surgery) continue to operate normally and are seeing patients without interruption.

We will keep you informed as the situation evolves. Thank you again for your understanding!

06/26/2025

Please join us in celebrating Oliver, our amazing AVS Internal Medicine Patient of the Month!

This sweet 12-year-old Labradoodle came to us as a referral from his local primary veterinarian after experiencing seizures and was found to be thrombocytopenic—a condition where there are low numbers of platelets in the blood. Once under the care of our Internal Medicine department, Oliver's seizures have been managed with medication, and his blood values have been closely and regularly monitored. Throughout his treatment, Oliver has had an endless positive attitude, always coming for his recheck appointments with a big, goofy smile on his face. With lots of love from his wonderful human companions and expert care from our amazing Internal Medicine team, Oliver has made an incredible recovery! We're so happy to report that he's now doing extremely well at home—enjoying all the snuggles, treats, and tail wags he deserves.

Oliver’s journey is a reminder of how resilient our furry companions can be, and we're honored to have been part of his healing process.

06/23/2025

Looking for a summer fruit that’s safe to share? 🍉

Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a great treat to help keep your pet hydrated. It also has low calories, no fat or cholesterol, and is high in potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C. But be sure to remove the seeds and rind!

Try freezing small chunks of watermelon to make an extra special treat for a hot day! 🍉

06/20/2025

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.

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

If you experience an emergency with your pet this summer contact us at (805) 729-4460. We're open 24/7!

06/17/2025

At AVS, our board-certified Internal Medicine specialists are like detectives for your pet’s health. When symptoms are complex or a diagnosis is elusive, our team steps in with advanced diagnostics and compassionate care to uncover the root cause and create a tailored treatment plan.

We can treat a variety of ailments, including:

• Endocrine disorders (like diabetes or Cushing’s disease)
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Kidney and urinary tract diseases
• Respiratory conditions
• Immune-mediated diseases
• Infectious diseases

We work closely with your primary vet to ensure your pet gets the expert care they deserve.

Whether your pet has been referred or you're seeking answers, our Internal Medicine service is here to help them feel their best again.

Call us today at (805) 729-4460 to learn more or schedule a consultation. We can even see your pet on Saturdays!

Because every pet deserves a team that never gives up.

06/15/2025

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

Thanks for the treats, the belly rubs, the emergency vet runs, and all the love you give your furry kids. You’re the real MVPs—today and every day!

06/11/2025

Emergency Visits at AVS – What to Expect 🐾

When your pet needs urgent care, every second counts. That’s why our emergency team at AVS triages all incoming patients upon arrival to ensure they are stable and safe while waiting to be seen by a doctor.

⏱️ Wait times can vary depending on the number and severity of cases we’re treating. We understand how stressful this can be, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we prioritize care based on medical urgency.

06/09/2025

Happy Pride Month Santa Barbara 🌈! At Advanced Veterinary Specialists, we believe that love, respect, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do—both in the care we provide to our patients and in the way we support one another. This Pride Month, we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community, including our team members, clients, and the broader veterinary community. We’re proud to support every pet and every person who walks through our doors.

06/05/2025

Did you know that sago palms are EXTREMELY toxic to dogs and cats if ANY portion of the plant is ingested? These plants can cause hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, blood clotting disorders, liver damage or failure, and even death can occur without immediate treatment.

Sago palm toxicity symptoms may include vomiting, bloody stool, jaundice, increased thirst, and bruising.

If you suspect your pet has consumed any part of a sago palm, come see us right away. We also recommend calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

06/03/2025

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and it serves as a helpful reminder of what to do in case of an emergency or natural disaster.

Here are some basic tips, but be sure to create a plan that’s most fitting to your location, family, and pets.

• Get a rescue alert sticker to let people know that pets are inside your home.
• Know a safe place to take your pets. It could be a pet-friendly hotel or a caregiver you trust.
• Prepare emergency supplies and a first aid kit for your pets.

Check out this Disaster Preparedness article from the ASPCA for a full list of recommended items for your kit: https://bit.ly/3hPlXS0

05/29/2025

Meet May's patient of the month, Toast! He is a 3-year-old male neutered Domestic Mediumhair who presented to our ER department for severe vomiting and lethargy. After a thorough physical examination, full blood work, and abdominal ultrasound, he was diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction and suspected sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency where the body's immune system overreacts to an infection, leading to systemic inflammation. The sepsis was likely secondary to the foreign material in his intestinal tract.

Toast was immediately admitted to the ICU for stabilization in preparation for emergency surgery. A trichobezoar (hair ball obstruction) was removed from his intestine, and unfortunately, due to the severity of the blockage from the hair ball, a segment of his bowel had to be removed. We also performed an anastomosis (connection of the two parts of his bowel). After surgery, Toast remained in a critical condition for several days, receiving multiple plasma transfusions and nutritional support via a nasogastric tube.

After a week of hospitalization, Toast was discharged to his owners and continues to receive supportive care at home while he recovers. Due to his glorious long coat and concern for a repeat obstruction, he is now sporting a fancy lion cut. Even with the new hairdo, he is as handsome as ever! Also featured is his sibling, named Butter (yes, Toast and Butter!!), who is also helping him recover at home by ensuring he gets his daily dose of cuddles.

05/26/2025

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

If your pet experiences an emergency, don't hesitate to come see us. We are open as usual today.

Address

414 E Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Telephone

+18057294460

Website

http://www.avs4pets.com/

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