Syncope in dogs and cats: what fainting spells mean Syncope is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness caused by a drop in blood flow to the brain. In dogs and cats, it often looks like a sudden collapse — the pet goes limp for a few seconds to a minute, then recovers on their own.…
Holter monitors for pets: 24 hours of heart rhythm data, at home A brief ECG in the clinic captures a snapshot of the heart’s rhythm, but many rhythm problems come and go. A Holter monitor records every heartbeat for 24 hours — giving cardiologists the full picture they need to diagnose arrhythmias and screen at-risk…
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats: the silent heart disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats. The heart muscle thickens abnormally, making the heart less efficient at filling and increasing the risk of clot formation and sudden decompensation. Many cats show no signs until the disease is advanced. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is…
GDV (bloat) in dogs: a deep-chested dog’s most dangerous emergency. This is an emergency. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) — commonly called “bloat” — is one of the fastest-killing emergencies in dogs. Without surgery, dogs can die within hours. If you see a swollen belly and unproductive retching, come in immediately. This is an emergency. If your…
Respiratory distress: when your pet can’t catch their breath. Breathing problems are always an emergency. Whether the cause is heart failure, pneumonia, asthma, foreign body, or trauma, pets in respiratory distress decompensate quickly without treatment. Dogwood is equipped with high-flow oxygen, ICU monitoring, and board-certified critical care. This is an emergency. If your pet is…
Foreign body in dogs and cats: when ingestion becomes an emergency. Pets eat things they shouldn’t. Most pass through. Some don’t. When a foreign body causes an obstruction or perforates the GI tract, it becomes a surgical emergency. Knowing when to come in can save your pet’s life. If your pet swallowed something unusual —…
When to bring your pet to the emergency clinic: a guide for Atlanta pet owners. Most pet families ask this question at 9 p.m. on a Sunday. Dogwood Veterinary Specialty & Emergency in Marietta offers a simple framework — and the reassurance that, sometimes, it’s okay to wait until morning. Call (404) 609-1234 Emergency Services…
Fireworks, thunderstorms, and pet anxiety: help for the pet hiding under the bed. July 4th is the highest pet-runaway day of the year. Dogwood’s veterinary behavior service in Marietta, GA offers practical steps for the night itself — and a bigger-picture look at how anxiety care helps Atlanta pets and families enjoy life year-round. Call…
Summer pet safety tips for Atlanta pet owners: heat, parks, BBQs, and what we see in the ER every week. Georgia summers are no joke. Dogwood Veterinary Specialty & Emergency in Marietta, GA shares the most common summer emergencies we see across the Atlanta metro — and the simple steps that prevent most of them.…
Pyometra and emergency C-section: Top signs of pyometra in dogs & cats Both can kill if untreated. Pyometra is an infected uterus — a life-threatening emergency in intact female dogs and cats. Dystocia (difficult birth) can mean the puppies, kittens, or mother are at risk. Both are surgical emergencies our team handles 24/7. Pyometra typically…