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.

Would you recognize the signs of respiratory disease in a snake?Jua presented to our Emergency Service after her owner n...
06/04/2026

Would you recognize the signs of respiratory disease in a snake?

Jua presented to our Emergency Service after her owner noticed several subtle changes during a shedding cycle, including open-mouth breathing and a faint clicking sound during exhalation. Although she remained bright, active, and otherwise appeared healthy, these signs can sometimes indicate underlying respiratory disease.

Radiographs revealed changes consistent with pneumonia, and treatment was initiated. At her recheck appointment approximately three and a half weeks later, Jua showed significant clinical improvement. Her abnormal breathing had resolved, respiratory sounds had disappeared, and follow-up radiographs demonstrated overall improvement.

Reptiles are masters at hiding illness, which is why even small changes in breathing, activity level, appetite, or shedding should not be ignored. Signs that may warrant veterinary evaluation include:
• Open-mouth breathing
• Wheezing, clicking, or popping sounds while breathing
• Increased respiratory effort
• Excessive mucus around the mouth or nostrils
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy or behavioral changes

We're happy to report that Jua is doing well and continuing her recovery at home. Thank you to her observant owner for recognizing that something was off and seeking veterinary care early. 🐍💚

Meet Pumpkin. ❤️Pumpkin was referred to our surgery team for treatment of idiopathic chylothorax, an uncommon condition ...
06/01/2026

Meet Pumpkin. ❤️

Pumpkin was referred to our surgery team for treatment of idiopathic chylothorax, an uncommon condition where lymphatic fluid accumulates within the chest cavity. Over time, that fluid can become highly inflammatory and make it increasingly difficult for patients to breathe comfortably.

Because medical management is often unsuccessful long term, Pumpkin underwent a thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation with our surgery team. Using minimally invasive techniques and intraoperative imaging to help identify the thoracic duct anatomy in real time, the procedure was performed through small incisions rather than a traditional open chest surgery.

Minimally invasive approaches offer several advantages, including less pain, smaller incisions, faster recovery, shorter hospitalization, and excellent long-term success rates.

Most importantly, Pumpkin tolerated her procedure beautifully and is now doing fantastic at home.

We're incredibly proud to be able to offer advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery here on the Central Coast, and even more excited when we get updates like Pumpkin's. She quickly became a staff favorite, and we couldn't be happier with how she's doing. ❤️

A few months ago, we asked for help naming our CT machine.After dozens of submissions, narrowing the list down to our to...
05/28/2026

A few months ago, we asked for help naming our CT machine.

After dozens of submissions, narrowing the list down to our top finalists, and a hospital-wide vote, we're excited to announce that our CT machine officially has a name....

Scandra🥳🎉

Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas and helped us choose. We had some incredibly creative entries, and the voting was closer than you might think.

Scandra has already been helping us diagnose and treat patients, but we're happy she finally has a proper name to go with the job.

Congratulations to our winner, and welcome to the team, Scandra. 💚

A heart murmur can sound scary, but it doesn't always mean there is underlying heart disease.Chopper recently visited ou...
05/25/2026

A heart murmur can sound scary, but it doesn't always mean there is underlying heart disease.

Chopper recently visited our Cardiology Service after a murmur was detected during a hospitalization with our Emergency team. Dr. Day performed a complete echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to evaluate his heart structure and function.

The good news? Chopper's heart is structurally normal! His heart muscle and valves all looked healthy, and there was no evidence of heart disease. In his case, the murmur is most likely physiologic, meaning it can occur with stress or excitement rather than an underlying cardiac condition. In this case, Choppers nerves definitely played the part. Closing his eyes, wishing he wasn't here and the side eye says it all.

We're always grateful for the opportunity to provide good news to our owners. ❤️

If you own an exotic pet, do you know where to take them during an emergency? The answer is here - at Cerro Alto! Most o...
05/19/2026

If you own an exotic pet, do you know where to take them during an emergency? The answer is here - at Cerro Alto!

Most of our ER doctors are comfortable evaluating a variety of exotic species, including rabbits, birds, reptiles, chickens, pocket pets, and small ruminants such as lambs. Because doctor availability and comfort level with species can vary by shift, we always recommend calling ahead so we can determine whether we are able to accommodate your pet.

Some of the exotic-related concerns we commonly receive calls for include:
• GI stasis
• Constipation and retained sheds
• Appetite or behavior changes
• Respiratory concerns
• Egg binding
• Weakness or lethargy
• Dehydration or decreased stool production

Exotic pets often hide signs of illness until they are very sick, so even subtle changes can be important. If you are unsure whether your pet should be evaluated, our team is always happy to discuss your concerns and help guide you on next steps.

We’ll also be sharing some exotic patient stories and educational content over the coming weeks, so stay tuned. 💚

Remember when we said it was snake season?🫣Meet Cove, an 11.5 month old Vizsla who presented to our emergency service af...
05/16/2026

Remember when we said it was snake season?🫣

Meet Cove, an 11.5 month old Vizsla who presented to our emergency service after a suspected rattlesnake bite causing severe facial swelling and soft tissue injury.

At the time of presentation, Cove had a high fever, visible puncture wounds, dehydration, low protein levels, mild clotting abnormalities, and elevated liver values associated with envenomation. She was hospitalized for intensive supportive care and received three doses of antivenin, intravenous fluids, pain medications, anti nausea therapy, and close monitoring throughout her stay.

As her wounds evolved, Cove underwent sedation for wound debridement and cleaning, followed by negative pressure wound therapy (wound VAC), definitive wound closure, and placement of a Jackson Pratt drain to support healing and postoperative drainage.

We are happy to report that Cove continued to improve during hospitalization and is now recovering comfortably at home. Her drain was removed last week, and she is scheduled to return soon for suture removal as healing continues.

Rattlesnake bites can cause significant tissue injury and systemic illness in dogs, even when pets appear stable initially. Early veterinary intervention and antivenin administration can make a substantial difference in recovery and outcome.

Thank you to Cove’s family for allowing us to be part of her care journey. ❤️

We are incredibly honored to share that Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital has been nominated for Trup...
05/13/2026

We are incredibly honored to share that Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital has been nominated for Trupanion’s Veterinary Team of the Year 💚

When this nomination was submitted, one patient immediately came to mind: Chimo.
Over the past several months, Chimo became part of the Cerro Alto family. His journey brought together every corner of our hospital - doctors, RVTs, veterinary assistants, CSRs, kennel assistants, leadership, and support staff - all working together not only to care for him medically, but to support his family emotionally through every step.

There were hard days, hopeful days, celebrations, extra cuddles, handmade decorations, photos around the hospital, and countless moments that reminded us why veterinary medicine is so much more than just medicine. It’s about people. It’s about connection. It’s about showing up for families during some of the hardest and most emotional moments of their lives. The truth is, Chimo is only one example of what happens within these walls every single day.

Watching this team build Cerro Alto from the ground up and seeing the compassion, teamwork, empathy, and heart they bring to every patient and every family is something truly special, and exactly why this nomination means so much to us.

If Cerro Alto has cared for your pets or supported your family in any way, we would be so grateful for your vote 🫶

Voting is open through May 26 and you can vote once daily by scanning the QR code in the photo ✨

Meet Ember, a 3 year old calico who presented to our team for a traumatic fracture of her left tibia.Although Ember is a...
05/12/2026

Meet Ember, a 3 year old calico who presented to our team for a traumatic fracture of her left tibia.

Although Ember is an indoor-only cat, she somehow sustained a comminuted tibial fracture, suspected to have occurred from a fall from an elevated surface in the home. Initial radiographs confirmed the fracture, and she subsequently underwent surgical repair with our surgery team.

Ember’s procedure involved open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a locking bone plate and screws to stabilize the fracture. Intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative radiographs confirmed excellent alignment and implant placement.
She recovered smoothly from anesthesia, stayed overnight for monitoring and pain management, and was discharged the following day with activity restriction and postoperative care instructions.

Orthopedic injuries can still occur in indoor pets, especially in cats that enjoy climbing, jumping, and exploring elevated spaces around the home. Careful confinement and limiting activity during recovery are essential to allow proper bone healing and protect surgical repairs.

We’re happy to report Ember is doing well and is officially on the road to recovery. ❤️

Olive is a very sweet 10 year old West Highland Terrier who came to us for evaluation of a right adrenal mass.Based on h...
05/09/2026

Olive is a very sweet 10 year old West Highland Terrier who came to us for evaluation of a right adrenal mass.

Based on her clinical signs and initial diagnostics, there was concern that the tumor was producing excess cortisol, which can have significant effects on the body if left untreated.

As part of her workup, Olive had a CT scan with our radiology team. This step was really important. The imaging showed the tumor was closely associated with the vena cava, a major abdominal blood vessel, but importantly, it was compressing the vessel rather than invading it. That distinction made all the difference in how we approached her case.

With that information, our internal medicine, radiology, and surgery teams worked together to determine the safest plan. Because the mass was not invasive, Olive was a great candidate for a laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
She underwent surgery with our team using a minimally invasive approach, which allows us to remove complex tumors through small incisions instead of a traditional open surgery.

The benefits of this approach can be significant:
• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller incisions and faster healing
• Lower risk of complications
• Shorter time in the hospital

Olive did beautifully. She was comfortable after surgery and able to go home the very next day, which is not always possible with more traditional approaches.

We are happy to share that she is doing great at home and back to being her sweet self.💗

We’re excited to share that Cerro Alto is expanding our specialty services with the addition of medical oncology, beginn...
05/06/2026

We’re excited to share that Cerro Alto is expanding our specialty services with the addition of medical oncology, beginning this June!

Dr. Julia Colosi, a board-certified veterinary oncologist, will be joining our team to provide advanced cancer care for pets here on the Central Coast.

This service will include diagnostics and staging, individualized treatment planning, chemotherapy and other therapies, as well as supportive and palliative care - all with a strong focus on clear communication and helping families make informed decisions for their pets.

Our goal is to make oncology care feel approachable, collaborative, and well-supported, while continuing to work closely with your primary care veterinarians.

We’re proud to bring this level of care to our community and look forward to supporting pets and their families through every step 🤍

Address

2640 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401

Telephone

+18054578724

Website

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