Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital Welcome to Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital!

Opening September 2025, Cerro Alto is a privately owned, 24/7 specialty and emergency hospital committed to advanced, compassionate care for pets on the Central Coast.

07/27/2026

Meet Puff. 💚🐱

If you watched this video without any context, you'd probably think he was trying to cough up a hairball.

So did we.

The first real red flag, though, wasn't the coughing- it was that after running around and playing, Puff would open-mouth pant. That's not normal for cats and was a sign that something else was going on.

He was eventually diagnosed with feline asthma.

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The good news? Many cats with asthma continue to live happy, playful lives with proper monitoring and treatment.

Today, Puff still dictates his own activity level, zooms around the house, and loves to play. We're continuing to monitor him, and if his symptoms become more frequent, an inhaler may be part of his treatment plan in the future.

If your cat has a recurring cough or pants after exercise, don't assume it's "just a hairball." It's worth having them evaluated by your veterinarian. 🐾

What is a parathyroid gland... and why does it matter?🧐Most people have never heard of the parathyroid glands until ther...
07/16/2026

What is a parathyroid gland... and why does it matter?🧐

Most people have never heard of the parathyroid glands until there's a problem.
These tiny glands sit next to the thyroid and are responsible for regulating calcium levels in the body. When one becomes overactive, it produces too much parathyroid hormone (PTH), causing calcium levels to remain persistently elevated. Over time, high calcium can affect multiple organs, including the kidneys, and can lead to muscle weakness, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, and other nonspecific signs.

That was the case for Barrett.

Advanced imaging identified an abnormal parathyroid gland, and our Surgery team performed a parathyroidectomy to remove the affected tissue. After surgery, Barrett remained in the hospital while we closely monitored his calcium levels as his body adjusted.

The best part? His biopsy confirmed a parathyroid adenoma, a benign tumor, and the abnormal tissue was completely removed.
Between bloodwork and recovery checks, Barrett became a big fan of our breezeway, where he spent plenty of time enjoying the sunshine. ☀️🤗

Thank you to Barrett's family for trusting our team with his care. We loved having this sweet boy with us and are so happy to see him heading home feeling better.❤️

When we think about blood donors, we usually picture people. But did you know dogs can be blood donors too?🤔🐶Blood trans...
07/14/2026

When we think about blood donors, we usually picture people. But did you know dogs can be blood donors too?🤔🐶

Blood transfusions are an important part of veterinary medicine and can be lifesaving for patients experiencing severe blood loss, trauma, immune-mediated diseases, certain cancers, clotting disorders, and other critical illnesses. One of the biggest challenges is making sure compatible blood is available when it's needed.

That's why we're especially thankful for Belle and Athena. 🥰

These two are the beloved dogs of one of our RVTs, Destiny, and they serve as blood donors for hospitalized patients at Cerro Alto. Their willingness to help has provided lifesaving blood for dogs facing medical emergencies, giving them the support they need during some of their most critical moments.

It takes a special kind of dog and a very dedicated owner to be part of a blood donor program, and we couldn't be more grateful for all three of them.

Thank you, Belle, Athena, and Destiny, for helping us care for patients when they need it most.❤️🐾

Urinary blockages are one of the most common emergencies we see in male cats, but many owners don't know what to look fo...
07/12/2026

Urinary blockages are one of the most common emergencies we see in male cats, but many owners don't know what to look for until it happens to their own pet.

A blockage occurs when a cat can't pass urine because the urethra becomes obstructed. Since male cats have a much longer and narrower urethra than females, they're much more likely to develop a blockage.

Treatment often includes relieving the obstruction with a urinary catheter under anesthesia, IV fluids, pain management, and hospitalization while the bladder recovers.

Unfortunately, once a cat has blocked, there's an increased risk of it happening again. For cats with recurrent blockages, a Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) may be recommended. This surgery creates a wider urinary opening, helping reduce the risk of future life-threatening blockages.

We put this carousel together to explain what urinary blockages are, why they happen, what treatment looks like, and what signs every cat owner should know.

If your cat is straining to urinate, making repeated trips to the litter box, producing little to no urine, or crying while trying to urinate, don't wait. A urinary blockage is a true emergency.

When a family hears the words, "Your dog has lymphoma," it can feel overwhelming.One of the first questions we often hea...
07/08/2026

When a family hears the words, "Your dog has lymphoma," it can feel overwhelming.

One of the first questions we often hear is:
"What happens next?"

For many dogs diagnosed with lymphoma, the answer may be CHOP chemotherapy- the gold standard treatment protocol for this disease. While lymphoma is rarely curable, chemotherapy can often help dogs achieve remission and continue enjoying a wonderful quality of life.

Meet Rae, one of our current oncology patients. 🐾❤️

Rae recently began her CHOP protocol with our Medical Oncology service. We're happy to report that her lymph nodes have become smaller, and she's continuing to do well through treatment. Before receiving one of her chemotherapy medications (doxorubicin), our Cardiology team performed an echocardiogram to ensure it was safe to proceed- one example of how our specialists work together to provide individualized care.

One of the things we want every pet owner to know is that chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is very different than many people expect. Our goal is not to make pets feel sick. Our goal is to help them continue doing the things they love while giving families more quality time together.

If your pet has recently been diagnosed with cancer, our Medical Oncology team is here to answer questions, discuss treatment options, and help you decide what's best for your family.

Thank you, Rae, for letting us be part of your journey. 🤗

The Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays... but it's also one of the busiest nights of the year for veterinary...
07/04/2026

The Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays... but it's also one of the busiest nights of the year for veterinary emergency hospitals.

While we're enjoying backyard BBQs and fireworks, many of our pets are experiencing a very stressful evening.

Every year, we see pets come into the ER after escaping from home, becoming overwhelmed by fireworks, or getting into holiday foods that aren't safe for them. The good news is that many of these emergencies can be prevented with a little preparation.

Here are a few simple ways to help keep your pets safe this weekend:
- Keep pets indoors before the fireworks begin.
- Double-check that collars and microchip information are current.
- Create a quiet, comfortable space where they can relax.
- Turn on the TV or music to help mask the sound of fireworks.
- Keep foods like onions, grapes, corn cobs, chocolate, alcohol, and xylitol-containing treats out of reach.

We hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday! If your pet does need emergency care, our ER team is here 24/7.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital! ❤️🤍💙🐾

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is, "He was completely fine this morning."The reality is that some emergencies...
07/03/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is, "He was completely fine this morning."

The reality is that some emergencies don't give you much warning, and GDV (bloat) is one of them.

GDV occurs when the stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself, cutting off blood flow to the stomach and other organs. It's one of the true surgical emergencies we see in veterinary medicine, and early recognition can make all the difference.

While we most commonly see GDV in large breed dogs, we've also seen it occur in smaller dogs, which is why it's important for every dog owner to know what to look for.

Some of the most common signs include:
• Repeated attempts to vomit with nothing coming up
• A swollen or tight abdomen
• Restlessness or pacing
• Excessive drooling
• Signs of abdominal pain

This post is also the start of a new series we're excited to share called Cerro Alto Case Files: Guess the Diagnosis. Every couple of weeks, we'll walk through a real emergency presentation, talk about the diagnosis, and explain what's happening behind the scenes in a way that's easy to understand.

Our hope is that these posts help make specialty and emergency medicine a little less intimidating while giving you information that could one day help your own pet.

Is there a condition you've always wanted to learn more about? Let us know below - we might feature it in an upcoming post.

Every summer, we see it.A family heads out for a hike. A beach day. An afternoon at the park. Everyone is having fun... ...
06/30/2026

Every summer, we see it.

A family heads out for a hike. A beach day. An afternoon at the park. Everyone is having fun... until their pet suddenly isn't.

Heat stroke is one of the most common warm-weather emergencies we treat, and it's something that can become life-threatening much faster than many people realize.

Heat stroke isn't just overheating. As a pet's body temperature continues to rise, it can begin affecting the brain, kidneys, liver, heart, and other organs. That's why acting quickly is so important.

Signs to watch for include:
- Excessive panting
- Heavy drooling
- Bright red gums
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weakness or collapse
- Disorientation or confusion

If you notice any of these signs, don't wait to see if your pet improves. Begin cooling them with cool (not ice-cold) water while making your way to the nearest emergency veterinarian. Early intervention truly can make all the difference.

The good news is that heat stroke is often preventable.

Walk during the cooler parts of the day.
Bring fresh water everywhere you go.
Make time for shade and breaks.
Check the pavement before every walk.
Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle.

We aren't sharing this to scare you - we're sharing it because we'd much rather help you prevent an emergency than treat one.

We want your summer full of adventures with your pets, and we want you to enjoy every bit of it together, safely. ❤️

Over the past few weeks, so many of you took the time to vote for us for Veterinary Team of the Year, and I just wanted ...
06/26/2026

Over the past few weeks, so many of you took the time to vote for us for Veterinary Team of the Year, and I just wanted to say thank you.

Your support, your comments, your shares, and your encouragement meant more than you probably realize. While we didn't bring home the title, this nomination gave me the perfect excuse to publicly brag about this team.

The people in these photos are some of the most hardworking, compassionate, and selfless people I've ever had the privilege of working alongside. Veterinary medicine is hard. It's long days, emotional conversations, missed lunches, aching feet, and pouring everything you have into patients who can't tell you what hurts. Yet somehow, this team continues to show up every single day ready to do it all over again.

And it's not because anyone asks them to.
It's because they care.

They stay late because they don't want to leave a critical patient. They celebrate when a patient finally eats after days of refusing food. They jump in to help each other without hesitation. They comfort scared pets when their families can't be there. They cheer each other on through the wins and pick each other up after the hard days. Those moments don't make it onto social media very often, but they're the moments that define this team.

From our ER team, to ICU, to every one of our specialty services, the amount of compassion, teamwork, and dedication I get to witness every day is something I'll never take for granted.

To every doctor, RVT, veterinary assistant, kennel assistant, client care representative, receptionist, and every single person working behind the scenes - thank you.

Thank you for showing up on the hard days. Thank you for treating every patient like they're your own. Thank you for supporting each other, constantly raising the bar, and giving so much of yourselves to this profession.

I know I'm biased, but I genuinely wouldn't trade this group for anything. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together, but even more proud of the people who make Cerro Alto what it is.

Awards are wonderful, but they don't define a team. The way you show up for your patients and for each other does.

You'll always be Veterinary Team of the Year in my eyes. 🥹❤️

Just a few short weeks after the launch of our Medical Oncology service, our team reached another exciting milestone. 🥹U...
06/24/2026

Just a few short weeks after the launch of our Medical Oncology service, our team reached another exciting milestone. 🥹

Under the guidance of Dr. Julia Colosi, Erin and Jiaqi recently administered one of our first chemotherapy treatments to Diesel, who is currently being treated for subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma.

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for both pets and their families. Our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care while helping patients maintain the best quality of life possible throughout treatment.

Diesel recently received his first dose of doxorubicin and is scheduled to continue treatment over the coming months. We look forward to supporting him and his family throughout his journey.

We are incredibly proud of our Oncology team and grateful to be able to offer advanced cancer care right here on the Central Coast, allowing more pets to receive specialized treatment closer to home. 💜🐾

Address

2640 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401

Telephone

+18054578724

Website

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