Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Centers

10/17/2026

The cough everyone watches for is not the sign that tells you the most. A sleeping breath count that creeps above 30, or above your pet's own normal, often shows up first. At Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center we treat breathing trouble as an emergency, and the post shows you what to count.

Is tonight an ER night? For pets with congestive heart failure, a sleeping breath count is the answer you can measure at home. See which numbers mean go now.

10/16/2026

🤓🐾 PET FUN FACT!

Did you know your pet’s nose can tell quite a story? 👃

Dogs and cats rely heavily on their sense of smell to explore and understand the world around them.

That’s why a simple walk isn’t just exercise for your dog — it’s also a sniffing adventure! 🌵🐾

So today…

Let them stop and smell the cactus. 😂

(Okay… maybe not literally! 🌵😅)

🌵 A little desert safety reminder: Curious noses and cactus spines don’t mix! If your pet gets into a prickly situation, SAVSEC is here 24/7 for veterinary emergencies. 🏥🐾

📍 7474 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710
📞 (520) 888-3177 opt 2
🌐 southernazvets.com

10/15/2026

🎃🐾 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SAVSEC? 🐾🎃

👻 It’s almost time for BOO SAVSEC! 👻

Get ready for a spooktacular evening at our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat! 🎃🕷️

📅 Friday, October 30, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Bring the family, wear your favorite costumes, and join us for a fang-tastic evening of Halloween fun! 🦇🍬

🐾 BONUS BOO! We’re collecting unopened canned dog and cat food donations to benefit Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson and Southern Arizona Cat Rescue. ❤️

We can’t wait to celebrate Halloween with our Tucson community. Come join the fun — it’s going to be a howling good time! 🐶🎃

📍 Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (SAVSEC)
7474 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710
📞 (520) 888-3177 opt 2
🌐 southernazvets.com

10/15/2026

❤️🐾 THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CARE 🐾❤️

Emergency and specialty veterinary medicine takes an entire team.

From the people answering the phones and welcoming families to the technicians, assistants, doctors, and everyone working behind the scenes — every person plays an important role in caring for our patients.

Today we're giving a big THANK YOU to the entire SAVSEC team! 🐶🐱

We appreciate everything you do for our patients, their families, and each other. ❤️

10/14/2026

🐾 IS YOUR PET IN PAIN? SIGNS YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE 🐾

Our pets can’t tell us when something hurts, and sometimes the signs are easier to miss than you might think. ❤️

🚩 Watch for these common signs of pain:
🐶 Limping or difficulty getting up
🐱 Hiding, withdrawing, or acting differently
🐾 Whining, whimpering, growling, or unusual vocalizing
💤 Sleeping more or showing less interest in play
🍽️ Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat
🩷 Flinching, guarding a body part, or reacting when touched
🪜 Difficulty jumping, climbing stairs, or getting comfortable
👅 Excessive licking or chewing at one area

Remember: Pets don’t always cry or limp when they’re hurting. Even subtle changes in behavior can be a sign that something isn’t right.

🚨 When should you seek help? Sudden or severe pain, difficulty breathing, collapse, a swollen abdomen, or an inability to stand warrants immediate veterinary attention. If your pet seems uncomfortable or isn’t acting like themselves, contact your veterinarian.

At SAVSEC, we’re here for your pet when the unexpected happens. ❤️🐾

📍 7474 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710
📞 (520) 888-3177 opt 2
🌐 southernazvets.com
⏰ Emergency care available 24/7

10/14/2026

🎃👻 IT’S ALMOST TIME TO BOO-SAVSEC! 👻🎃

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat is coming up, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🧡🐾

🍬 When: Friday, October 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center

Bring the family, bring your Halloween spirit, and get ready for a spooktacular evening of treats, fun, and Halloween magic! 🕷️🦇

🐶🐱 Bonus boo points: Bring an unopened canned dog or cat food donation to help support Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson and Southern Arizona Cat Rescue! ❤️

We can’t wait to see all your little ghosts, goblins, and four-legged friends! 👻🐾

Who’s ready to TRUNK OR TREAT?! 🎃👇

10/11/2026

🐶🐱 HELP SAVSEC GIVE BACK! ❤️🐾

SAVSEC is collecting dog and cat food donations to support two wonderful local organizations:

❤️ Gospel Rescue Mission
🐾 Southern Arizona Cat Rescue

Every donation makes a difference in helping pets and the people who love them! Thank you for supporting our community. ❤️

📍 Drop off donations at:
Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center
7474 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710

10/09/2026

📸🐾 FRIDAY PET PHOTO CHALLENGE! 🐾📸

Let's see those October pets! 🍂🎃

Drop a photo of your pet in the comments — bonus points for:

🎃 Pumpkin-loving pets
👻 Spooky faces
🍂 Fall adventures
😴 Cozy couch potatoes
😂 Pets who clearly think they run the household

We want to see Tucson's cutest, funniest, and most ridiculous pets! ❤️

10/09/2026

Welcome to the SAVSEC family, Dr. Lauren Merideth! 🐾✨

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Lauren Merideth, a Tucson native who is excited to return home and care for the pets and families in our community! 🌵❤️

Dr. Merideth’s journey to veterinary medicine is uniquely inspiring. After earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 2016, she worked in marketing and communications in Denver before following her true passion. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Colorado State University in 2026.

Dr. Merideth brings a passionate focus on small animal medicine and incorporates an integrative approach to patient care. She strongly believes in partnering with families to create individualized treatment plans that support long, happy, and healthy lives for their pets.

When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll find Lauren soaking up the outdoors, especially hiking in the Catalina Mountains. While she doesn’t have pets of her own just yet, her dream is to build a bustling family full of dogs, goats, and donkeys! 🐐🐶🐴

Join us in giving Dr. Merideth a warm Tucson welcome in the comments below! 👇💙

10/09/2026

🚨IS IT A VET EMERGENCY? HOW TO TELL WHEN MINUTES MATTER 🚨

When your pet is sick or injured, it’s not always easy to tell if they need immediate emergency care or a visit to your regular veterinarian.

During National Animal Safety & Protection Month, here’s a quick guide to help you make the call:

🚨 HEAD TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY IF:
• Severe difficulty breathing or rapid, heavy panting
• Inability to walk, sudden weakness, or collapse
• Unproductive vomiting or dry heaving with a bloated abdomen (especially large-breed dogs)
• Suspected ingestion of toxins (chocolate, xylitol, rodenticide, human meds)
• Seizures lasting longer than 2–3 minutes, or multiple seizures in 24 hours

🩺 CALL YOUR PRIMARY VET IF:
• Mild lethargy or minor decrease in appetite
• Mild limping without signs of severe pain
• Occasional vomiting/diarrhea while still active and drinking water

Pro Tip: Save SAVSEC’s emergency phone number and location in your phone now so you’re never scrambling during an urgent moment.

📍 7474 E. Broadway, Tucson AZ 85710

📞 Emergency Line: 520.888.3177 opt 2

🏥 Open 24/7/365 in Tucson