Advanced Veterinary Specialists

Home
United States
Santa Barbara, CA
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)

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.

05/22/2025

If your dog loves a trip to the beach as much as you do, be aware of the dangers involved in ingesting salt water.

Most pet owners take precautions to ensure their pet's safety when swimming. However, not everyone knows that swallowing salt water, either for refreshment or accidentally while playing, can have life-threatening consequences. Too much salt causes water to shift from the bloodstream into the intestines, which can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. It also throws off dogs' natural fluid balance. Keep an eye on your pet and try to prevent them from ingesting too much salt water!

If your dog ingests too much salt water, contact us at (805) 729-4460 right away.

05/20/2025

When your pet is hurting, you shouldn’t have to wait for an appointment or wonder what to do. At AVS, our emergency team works closely with board-certified specialists to give your pet the expert care they deserve right when they need it. No appointment, no hesitation. Just compassionate care, 24/7. Because they’re family, and we treat them that way. You focus on being there for them. We’ll handle the rest.

Save our information in your phone so you know where to go in case of an emergency!

Phone: (805) 729-4460
Address: 414 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101

05/16/2025

Keep your pets safe from ticks this spring and summer!

🐶 Tick-borne diseases affecting dogs can include: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

🐶 Common symptoms dogs can present from these tick-borne diseases include: fever, diarrhea, muscle pain, swelling in the limbs, seizures, fatigue, depression, skin lesions, discharge from the nose or eyes, and weight loss

🐱 Tick-borne diseases affecting cats can include: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Cytauxzoonosis (aka Bobcat Fever)

🐱 Common symptoms cats can present from these tick-borne diseases include: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, sensitivity to touch, jaundice, painful joints, and/or stiffness (might have an arched back when walking)

Speak with your primary care veterinarian for a prescription or refill of a safe preventative or repellent. However, if your pet is experiencing any of the symptoms above, we recommend contacting us immediately. Our ER is open 24/7.

05/13/2025

Did you know our Internal Medicine doctors are available on Saturdays? Whether your pet is new to AVS or a returning patient, you can book appointments Monday through Saturday for expert care when it works best for you.

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day! 💐 Whether your babies have fur, feathers, fins, or scales, thank you for opening up your heart and home to animals in need of a loving mom! We hope your day is full of love and appreciation for all you do.

Address

414 E Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Telephone

+18057294460

Website

http://www.avs4pets.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Advanced Veterinary Specialists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Advanced Veterinary Specialists: