Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Northwest Arkansas

06/20/2025

Meet Luca, the sweetest whippet pup who came to AESC after suddenly developing facial swelling and hives 😳🐾 — a classic allergic reaction!

Thankfully, our emergency team jumped into action with a fast and effective treatment plan:
💊 Diphenhydramine (yep, that’s Benadryl!) to block the histamine causing the reaction
💊 Famotidine to reduce stomach acid and help with inflammation
💉 Dexamethasone SP, a powerful steroid, to bring down the swelling and prevent things from getting worse

Luca responded beautifully and was back to tail wags and kisses in no time! 🐕❤️

Allergic reactions can happen in a flash — from bug bites, bee stings, or unknown allergens — so if your pet suddenly looks puffy or itchy, don’t wait! A quick trip to the ER can make all the difference.

06/18/2025

🌟 Team Spotlight: Dr. Martin 🌟

Today we’re shining the spotlight on one of our incredible veterinarians, Dr. Martin! 🐾🩺 Her calm energy, sharp skills, and genuine compassion create a sense of confidence and comfort for everyone around her - both pets and people!

Not only does she provide top-notch medical care to our patients, but she’s also the kind of teammate who jumps in wherever she’s needed - whether it’s offering an extra hand with a procedure or even helping clean up during busy shifts! 👐🧼

Dr. Martin leads with kindness, supports her team, and brings steady, thoughtful care to every case. We’re so lucky to have her on our side! 🙌

Thank you, Dr. Martin, for everything you do! 💙

06/15/2025

🐾💙 Happy Father’s Day from AESC! 💙🐾

To the dads who said “No more pets!” and are now sharing their pillow with a 90-pound lap dog…
To the ones who swore “He’s not allowed on the couch” and now sit on the floor so the cat can stretch out…
We see you. We salute you. We hope you get your spot back today. 😅

Thanks for being the treat-giver, p**p-scooper, belly-scratcher, and emergency vet-visit hero. 💪🐾
Whether you’re a dog dad, cat dad, or just a guy who carries 87 p**p bags “just in case”—you’re the real MVP. 🙌

From all of us at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Happy Father’s Day-whether your kids have two legs or four!
(And yes, your fur kids did get you something. It’s in the yard. Bring a bag. 💩)

06/14/2025

Say hello to the sweet rescue kitties of AESC! 🐾 Every fabulous feline you see in this video has been adopted by one of our amazing staff members and is loved to pieces. 🐱❤️

You never know when the “cat distribution system” will strike, but it often feels like fate when a cat appears out of nowhere and needs your help. 🐈✨ By rescuing these lost kiddos, you get to turn their lives upside down in the best possible way. You’re making sure they never have to worry about their next meal, staying safe from the elements, or feeling scared or lonely ever again. 🏡💕

And remember, you're not just changing their lives for the better—you're changing yours, too! 😊

June is Adopt a Cat Month, making it the perfect time to open your heart and home to a furry friend. Thinking about adopting? Visit your local shelter or rescue and make a difference today! 🐱🎉💖

06/09/2025

🐾 Patient Spotlight: Kade 🐾

Meet Kade, a truly special pup who’s captured the hearts of our team during his visits to the hospital! 😍 Kade first came to us in April and was later diagnosed with Precursor-Targeted Immune-Mediated Anemia (PIMA)—a serious condition in which the body destroys its own red blood cells before they can mature. 🩸 Red blood cells play a vital role by transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and removing carbon dioxide as a waste product, so it was crucial for Kade to receive supportive treatment. 🫁🩺

Over several visits, Kade received packed red blood cell transfusions to help stabilize his condition—and through it all, he remained the perfect gentleman. Calm, sweet, and incredibly adorable, Kade was a model patient. 🐶💙

Thank you to Kade for being such a good boy—and to his family for trusting us with his care. We’re all cheering him on in his recovery journey! 💪🎉

06/06/2025

06/06/2025

Meet Moon Pie, a curious British Shorthair, recently had a big adventure (the not-so-fun kind) and needed emergency surgery at AESC. 😿

She underwent an enterotomy and gastrotomy — fancy words for a serious situation where Moon Pie had something stuck in her stomach and intestines that she couldn’t pass on her own. 😲💔

➡️ Enterotomy: A careful opening in the intestines to remove the blockage.
➡️ Gastrotomy: A gentle incision into the stomach to remove anything dangerous inside.

Both are lifesaving surgeries when a furball swallows something they shouldn’t (Moon Pie, we’re looking at you 👀🧦).

💖 Post-Op Care for Moon Pie:
• Rest & strict cage rest 💤
• Special easy-to-digest food 🍗
• Lots of fluids & TLC 💦🫶
• Meds for pain & infection 💊
• Close monitoring for any signs of trouble 🧑‍⚕️

We’re happy to report Moon Pie is recovering like a champ and already purring her way back to health! 🐾💪s

💬 Give her some love in the comments! 💕

🐾

06/05/2025

Also known as Bobcat Fever, Cytauxzoonosis is a deadly, tick-borne disease affecting cats. It has a rapid disease course, with symptoms appearing 5-14 days post-exposure. Early detection is crucial, as survival rates drop drastically without treatment.

🚨 Signs to Watch For:

🔹 Lethargy, inappetence, and pale or yellow gums

🔹 High fever followed by possible hypothermia

🔹 Dehydration and signs of pain

🐱 How It Spreads:

Cats get infected from tick bites—primarily the Lone Star tick. It cannot spread directly from cat to cat.

⚠️ Who’s at Risk?

All cats, regardless of age or s*x, are susceptible if exposed to infected ticks. Peak seasons are spring, early summer, and late summer into fall.

🛑 Prevention is Key!

✅ Keep cats indoors and away from wooded or tick-infested areas

✅ Use year-round flea & tick preventatives like Revolution Plus® and Bravecto®

✅ Be mindful—dogs and even humans can bring ticks indoors

⏳ DO NOT WAIT! If you notice signs of Cytaux, seek immediate veterinary care. This disease can be fatal without aggressive treatment.

🩺 At AESC, we are here to help. Contact us for more information on protecting your pet from this dangerous disease.

06/05/2025

06/02/2025

Our team is the backbone of our emergency hospital! 🏥 Meet the compassionate and skilled professionals who go above and beyond for every pet. 🐾💉

05/28/2025

Surgical Success Thanks to an Incredible Team! 🐾
When a beloved dog came to us with a life-threatening GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus), it took a full team of dedicated professionals to act fast—and save a life.
Dr. Spaink, our skilled veterinarian, led the emergency surgery with precision and care. Her expertise and calm under pressure made all the difference in this critical moment.
Backing her up were two outstanding veterinary assistants:
Malina, a seasoned vet assistant, expertly managed patient ventilation and vitals monitoring throughout the procedure, keeping everything steady from start to finish.
Megan, who recently cross-trained from kennel staff to veterinary assistant, jumped in with confidence—prepping the surgical suite, assisting throughout the operation, and proving just how valuable she is to our medical team.
We’re incredibly proud of this team’s collaboration, compassion, and quick thinking. Veterinary medicine is truly a team effort—and this case was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.
Thank you, Dr. Spaink, Malina, Megan, and the entire support team. You saved a life—and inspired us all.

05/23/2025

⚠️ Snake Bite Alert! ⚠️

With warmer weather, snake sightings are on the rise — and so are snake bites. Just ask Honey, a sweet Australian Shepherd puppy who was recently hospitalized here at AESC after being bitten on the face during a curious outdoor adventure. Thankfully, Honey is recovering well thanks to quick intervention and supportive care!

What to Know About Snake Bites in Pets:
🐍 Symptoms: Sudden swelling (especially on the face or limbs), pain, bruising, lethargy, and difficulty breathing
⏱️ Act fast: If you suspect a bite, seek emergency veterinary care immediately — antivenin needs to be administered as soon as possible
🚫 Avoid home remedies: No ice, tourniquets, or trying to suck out venom
🦮 Prevent bites: Keep pets leashed on hikes, avoid tall grass & underbrush, and stay alert in snake-prone areas

Snake bites can be life-threatening, but with rapid treatment, many pets — like brave little Honey — can make a full recovery.

Stay safe out there, pet parents!