Pet Safety

While cicada coverage has dominated the news this year, another insect has been causing a lot more issues for our dogs and cats. We’ve seen a surge in tick cases lately, with many pets needing tick removal. Don’t worry, this is not an emergency and most pet owners can handle tick removal at home –…

Mimi Noonan, DVM, DACVIM – Springtime holiday flowers and gift bouquets spark anxiety for veterinarians, particularly those who love cats. The lovely tradition of sending lilies around this time of year dramatically increases the chances that we will see cats with kidney failure. Lilies (all kinds) are toxic to cats: tragically toxic. If a cat ingests…

Curiosity and the cat have always gone hand in hand. However, when the cat decides to taste test some new treats in the house, it could have very bad consequences especially if that treat includes something toxic. Many people are aware of the dangers of chocolate, various nuts, grapes, raisins, and other foods…but did you…

It is the Easter season and a big time for family celebrations. It’s also a busy time in veterinary emergency rooms. Chocolate, Easter Lilies, and certain foods are extremely toxic for our pets and there are other temptations that aren’t toxic but can cause obstructions that may require surgery. Here are the top five Easter…

Protect Your Pet from Top Pet Poisons If you have a pet in the family, you have most likely taken steps to keep your pet safe from certain dangers. Unfortunately, there are a lot of common items in our homes that are toxic to pets and may make your dog or cat sick or possibly…

The holiday season is a time of celebration and lots of activity. If you have a pet in the house, the extra activity, decorations and added temptations could result in an injury and a trip to your veterinarian. Here are eight holiday pet safety tips. Take extra steps when decorating. Anchoring the tree, securing light…

Note: We first published this information in November of 2015. As we continue to see more coyote attack victims in our emergency room, it is more important than ever to share this information. Urban coyote attacks are a growing concern in the Chicago area. Small breed attacks are generally more common and are more often…

Note: We first published this information in November of 2015. As we continue to see more coyote attack victims in our emergency room, it is more important than ever to share this information. In the past month, Veterinary Specialty Center (VSC) has seen four dogs through our emergency department for treatment after being attacked by…