Viking Veterinary Hospital Idaho Falls

07/30/2026

Pools can help pets cool off, but they also come with important risks.

Chlorine and salt water can irritate skin, eyes, and stomach if swallowed. Dogs can easily become exhausted, experience temperature shock in cold water, or develop ear and skin infections from lingering moisture. Not all dogs are strong swimmers, so drowning is a real concern.

For safe pool use, always supervise closely, limit swim time to 15 to 20 minutes, offer frequent breaks, and provide fresh drinking water. Rinse your pet after swimming and dry their ears thoroughly to support pet wellness and prevent infections.

For a safer option, consider a shallow kiddie pool or sprinkler for cooling without the risks.

07/28/2026

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them — and in stressful moments, having the right number ready can make all the difference.

Whether it’s an unexpected illness, injury, toxin ingestion, trouble breathing, or another urgent concern, our emergency veterinary team is here to help when your pet needs immediate care.

📲 Save our number in your phone today, just in case:

208-552-0662

We hope you never need us — but if you do, we’re here for your pet. ❤️

07/27/2026

Did you know some toxins don’t cause symptoms right away? ⚠️🐾

Even if your pet seems completely normal after ingesting something harmful, internal damage may already be happening. Foods, medications, plants, and household products can all pose serious risks, and early treatment is often the key to preventing a life-threatening emergency.

If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Contact us immediately ❤️

07/27/2026

🩸 How Blood Transfusions Help Pets with IMHA 🐾

When a dog or cat is diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), their own immune system begins attacking and destroying their red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, pets can quickly become critically ill.

While a blood transfusion isn't a cure for IMHA, it can be a lifesaving part of treatment.

Here's how transfusions help:

❤️ Restore oxygen to vital organs
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. A transfusion helps replace those lost cells so the brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs continue receiving the oxygen they need.

💪 Stabilize severely anemic patients
Pets with IMHA can become weak, collapse, struggle to breathe, or even go into shock. A transfusion can help stabilize them during this critical stage.

💊 Buy time for medications to work
IMHA is treated with medications that suppress the immune system, but these medications don't work instantly. A transfusion provides crucial support while those treatments begin slowing the destruction of red blood cells.

🐾 Give pets a fighting chance
Some pets may require multiple transfusions because their immune system can also attack the transfused blood. Even so, each transfusion can provide valuable time and improve their chances of recovery.

🩸 Where does that blood come from?
From incredible canine and feline blood donors! Every donation has the potential to save the life of a pet facing IMHA, trauma, surgery, bleeding disorders, and many other emergencies.

❤️ Interested in helping save lives?
If you have a healthy dog that may qualify for our blood donor program, we'd love to hear from you! Contact Viking Veterinary Hospital at 208-552-0662 to learn more about becoming a lifesaving donor.

Every blood donor is a hero, and every donation helps ensure lifesaving blood is available when pets need it most. ❤️

07/25/2026

🐾 How Can Plasma Help Dogs with Parvovirus? 🩸

A diagnosis of canine parvovirus (parvo) can be overwhelming, but advances in veterinary medicine have given us more tools to help these critically ill puppies fight for recovery.

One of those tools is canine plasma.

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains important proteins, clotting factors, and antibodies. While plasma isn't a cure for parvo, it can provide valuable support while a puppy's immune system battles the virus.

How plasma can help:
🩸 Replaces important proteins lost through severe vomiting and diarrhea
🛡️ Provides antibodies that may help support the immune response
❤️ Helps maintain blood volume and circulation in critically ill patients
🩹 Supplies clotting factors that can be depleted during severe illness

Parvo attacks the lining of the intestines and weakens the immune system, making puppies vulnerable to dehydration, protein loss, and life-threatening infections. Plasma therapy is often used alongside IV fluids, medications, nutritional support, and around-the-clock nursing care to give these patients the best chance at recovery.

💙 Where does plasma come from?
From healthy canine blood donors! Every donation can be separated into red blood cells and plasma, allowing one generous donor to help multiple pets in need.

Because of our canine blood donor program, we're able to have lifesaving blood products available when every minute counts.

If you have a healthy dog that may qualify to become a donor, we'd love to hear from you. Your best friend could help save someone else's.

07/23/2026

July heat can take a toll on your pup faster than you think! 🐕

This National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, know the signs of dehydration, including dry or sticky gums, heavy panting, sunken eyes, lethargy, and reduced urination.

If you notice any of these signs, reach out to our veterinary team right away: https://vvhidaho-idahofalls.com/contact/

Welcome to Viking Veterinary Hospital Idaho Falls! We offer 24/7 emergency care. Your pet's health and happiness is our top priorities. Visit us for exceptional care!

07/23/2026

Be a Hero. Save a Life. 🩸🐾

Join Viking Veterinary Hospital’s Canine Blood Bank Program!

Your dog could be the reason another pet gets a second chance. Blood donations help save the lives of pets facing critical illnesses, injuries, and emergencies.

Every Donation Includes:
Free physical exam at every donation
Free toenail trim at every donation
Free blood typing
Free blood-borne disease screening
Free yearly bloodwork for regular donors
Free yearly prevention

To Be Eligible, Your Dog Must:
Be between 1 and 6 years old
Weigh 55 pounds or more
Have never been pregnant
Be friendly, calm, and easy to handle
Test negative for blood-borne diseases
Be current on core vaccines

Donations May Be Used for
Trauma patients
Immune-mediated diseases
Surgical complications
Rat bait ingestions
Trauma and surgical patients
Parvo patients
Bleeding disorders
Septic patients

Every donation could help save multiple lives.

Interested in joining our blood bank program? Call Viking Veterinary Hospital at 208-552-0662 or send us a message to learn more.

Because every drop counts—and every hero has four paws.

07/23/2026

No one plans for a pet emergency, but being prepared can make all the difference ❤️🐾

Save our number now so you have it when you need it most. Whether it’s late at night, over the weekend, or during an unexpected emergency, our team is here to provide compassionate care for your pet.

A little preparation today can bring peace of mind tomorrow.

07/20/2026

🌟 Patient Spotlight🌟:

🐾 Meet Jack! 🐾

Jack recently experienced a frightening accident after jumping out of the back of a truck and being run over by a trailer.

Our emergency team immediately went to work, providing lifesaving care. Jack required a splenectomy, a blood transfusion, and around-the-clock supportive care to help him through his injuries.

We're thrilled to share that Jack has made incredible progress and is now back home with his family, resting comfortably and recovering well! ❤️

We are so grateful for the opportunity to help pets like Jack when they need us most. His story is also an important reminder to keep pets safely secured while traveling, even on short trips. A harness, secured crate, or other pet restraint can help prevent tragic accidents.

Please join us in wishing Jack a continued smooth recovery! 🐶💙

07/20/2026

Emergencies can happen at any time ⏰🐾

That’s why our team is here 24/7 to provide compassionate emergency care when your pet needs it most. Day or night, we’re ready to help ❤️