Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids

06/01/2026

Our very own Dr. Grupido treated Digo for his wounds! We are always grateful for the opportunity to care for these brave pups!

The police K9 stabbed by a suspect on Saturday is expected to make a full recovery, but may never work again, said the Grand Rapids Police Department. Read the full story through the link in the comments.

06/01/2026

Macy is back with the flower crown to wish everyone a happy Pride Month! 🌸🏳️‍🌈

At our hospital, we believe every tail wag, purr, and heartbeat deserves to be surrounded by love and acceptance. To our LGBTQ+ staff, clients, and neighbors: thank you for making our community so vibrant. 🐾❤️

05/27/2026

Everyone, meet Benji 🐰💙

This adorable little guy recently visited Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids after fracturing his leg, and our team was there to help keep him comfortable and cared for every step of the way. Just look at that bandage and those big eyes 🥺

While many people know us for emergency care for cats and dogs, we also see exotic pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds, and more! Benji reminded us just how special these little patients are and how much personality can fit into such a tiny body.

Exotic pets can be very good at hiding pain or injuries, so if something ever seems “off,” it’s always best to have them evaluated as soon as possible.

Now we want to hear from YOU 👇
🐾 Have you ever had an exotic pet?
📸 Share a photo of your rabbit, bird, reptile, guinea pig, or other unique companion in the comments!

We can’t wait to see all of your adorable family members! 💕

05/25/2026

❤️🤍💙 Happy Memorial Day from Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids 💙🤍❤️

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

As you spend the day with loved ones, don’t forget to keep pets safe around holiday foods, hot grills, fireworks, and the warmer weather. 🐾☀️

And remember our emergency team is OPEN 24/7, including today, if your pet needs emergent care.

Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

💙🤍❤️OPEN ALL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND💙🤍❤️

While many are traveling, grilling, and spending time with family this weekend, accidents and emergencies can still happen for our furry family members. ❤️🐾

If your pet experiences:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Trouble breathing
• Heat exhaustion
• Toxic ingestion
• Injuries or limping
• Anything that just doesn’t seem right

The team at Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids is OPEN 24/7 all weekend long for pet emergencies, including on Memorial Day.

We hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend with your pets! ☀️🐶🐱

05/20/2026

🐾 Caring for Our Golden Oldies: Senior Pet Comfort Tips 🐾

As our furry family members age, their needs change. Sometimes, the signs that they are slowing down or experiencing discomfort can be incredibly subtle.

Here is what to look out for at home and how you can help keep them happy and comfortable in their golden years:

🔍 What to Look Out For:

Subtle Behavior Changes: Hesitating before climbing stairs, jumping onto the couch, or getting into the car.

Changes in Routine: Sleeping more deeply, shifting positions frequently to get comfortable, or restlessness at night.

Altered Gait: Stiff movements when first waking up, or a slight limp that seems to fade as they move around.

Irritability: Showing less tolerance for being handled, groomed, or interacting with younger pets.

🏡 Simple Ways to Improve At-Home Comfort:
Add Traction: Place non-slip rugs or yoga mats over hardwood or tile floors to prevent slipping.

Raise the Dishes: Elevate food and water bowls so they don’t have to strain their neck and shoulders to eat.

Upgrade the Bed: Provide a supportive, orthopedic memory-foam bed away from drafts.

❤️ Advanced Relief Tailored for Your Pet

When extra love and home adjustments aren't quite enough, advanced medical support can make a world of difference. We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Sheikh available to offer specialized pain management options to restore your pet's quality of life.

Dr. Sheikh provides full, comprehensive consultations to understand your pet's unique challenges and design a completely tailored approach. Her multimodal treatment options include:

Dry Needling Acupuncture: To target specific trigger points and release muscle tension.

Aqua-Acupuncture: Injecting a vitamin solution into acupuncture points for prolonged stimulation and comfort.

Electroacupuncture: Utilizing a gentle electrical current to enhance nerve stimulation and natural pain relief.

Every senior pet deserves to live their best, most comfortable life.

📞 Ready to help your pet find relief? Call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheikh!

Grand Rapids: 616-361-9911
Byron Center: 616-537-1402

05/14/2026

Spring is finally making its way to Michigan. Which means muddy paws, sunny walks, blooming flowers… and unfortunately, TICK season. 🌷🐾🕷️

Ticks may be tiny, but they can carry some big health risks for pets, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and other tick-borne illnesses. Ticks are becoming more common in Michigan and can even be active starting early in the year.

The tricky part? Tick bites are easy to miss, especially the tiny nymph-stage ticks that can be as small as a sesame seed. Signs of tick-borne disease in pets can include:
🐶 Lethargy
🐱 Fever
🐾 Limping or soreness
🍽️ Decreased appetite
🤢 Vomiting or diarrhea

The good news: prevention goes a long way!
✔️ Keep pets on veterinarian-recommended flea/tick prevention
✔️ Check your pets after hikes, park visits, or backyard adventures
✔️ Pay extra attention around ears, paws, neck folds, and under collars
✔️ Contact your veterinarian if you notice symptoms or find an attached tick

At Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids, we want your pets to enjoy every spring adventure safely, whether they’re trail explorers, backyard loungers, or professional squirrel-watchers. 💚🐕🐈

Stay safe out there, and don’t forget those tick checks after outdoor fun! 🐾
https://cvm.msu.edu/vdl/client-education/guides-for-pet-owners/ticks-tick-borne-diseases-information-for-pet-owners-clinicians

05/12/2026

Sweet Yogi came to Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids after an antifreeze exposure… and while it definitely made for a stressful evening, this adorable little fluff ball quickly became everyone’s favorite patient. 💙🐾

Yogi was monitored closely by our emergency team and had bloodwork performed throughout the evening to make sure there were no signs of toxicity or kidney injury. Thankfully, all of his tests remained normal, and after conferring with ASPCA toxicology specialists and thorough diagnostic testing, we determined it was too small a dose to be lethal.

LVT Lauren helped guide Yogi through his visit with gentle handling, comfort, reassurance, and plenty of love. Safe to say Yogi absolutely mastered the “cute patient” role during his stay. 🥹🐶

This is also a great reminder that automotive fluids like antifreeze can be extremely dangerous to pets, even in very small amounts. If you ever think your pet may have gotten into something toxic, it’s always best to have them evaluated right away.

We’re so happy this sweet boy is back home and doing well!