Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson

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Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson

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Serving pets, pet owners and referring veterinarians, Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is the pr
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In Tucson, the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson (VSCOT) stands out as a beacon of hope for pet owners facing emergencies. Operating 24/7, VSCOT ensures that a Board-Certified Criticalist is always available to handle urgent pet care needs. Our comprehensive services extend beyond emergency care to include specialty veterinary services, which are available by appointment with our Board-Certified Surgeon and Radiologist. The commitment to quality care is evident in our choice of staff; VSCOT prides itself on having senior in-house doctors rather than rotating relief doctors, ensuring continuity and expertise in the care provided.

09/24/2026

🌵 MORE THAN JUST A COUGH: VALLEY FEVER IN DOGS 🐾

If you live in Southern Arizona, you’ve probably heard of Valley Fever—but did you know it can cause much more than respiratory symptoms?

Valley Fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides, which lives in the soil. Dogs become infected by inhaling fungal spores from the environment.

Signs to watch for include:
• Coughing or fever
• Decreased appetite or weight loss
• Low energy
• Limping or swollen limbs
• Back or neck pain
• Eye inflammation
• Skin lesions
• In more severe cases, neurologic signs such as seizures

🧪 What about Valley Fever titers?

Blood testing can detect antibodies against Coccidioides. Titers may help support a diagnosis and monitor disease, but the number alone does not determine how sick a dog is. Your veterinarian will interpret the result along with your dog's symptoms, examination and other diagnostic findings.

💊 Dogs that develop clinical Valley Fever are commonly treated with antifungal medications such as fluconazole, itraconazole, or posaconazole. Treatment is often prolonged—commonly months to lifelong, depending on the individual needs.

🌵 Here in Southern Arizona, Valley Fever is an important consideration for dogs with persistent coughing, unexplained lethargy, weight loss, fever or even unexplained limping.

📚 Want to learn more?
The University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence is an excellent resource for pet owners and has extensive information about Valley Fever in dogs.

Information for this post was obtained from the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence.

08/25/2026

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Ingrid Balsa, DVM, DACVS-SA to the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson! 🎉

Dr. Balsa is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and ACVS Fellow in Minimally Invasive Surgery, bringing advanced minimally invasive surgical options to pets right here in the Tucson community. She is now scheduling consultations for procedures including laparoscopic spays, cryptorchidectomy, ovarian remnant removal, liver biopsy, and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy.

We’re thrilled to expand the surgical services available to our patients and referring veterinary community. Surgical consultations are now available! Referring veterinarians, please refer to our website for our referral form.

📞 520-795-9955
📍 Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson
vscot.com

08/10/2026

August is National Dog Month! 🐾💚

This month, we’re celebrating the dogs who fill our lives with unconditional love, endless entertainment, muddy paw prints, and plenty of tail wags. From the tiniest pups to the biggest couch hogs, life is simply better with dogs. 🐶

Here at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, we feel lucky to care for so many incredible doggos and to be there for them—and the people who love them—when they need us most.

Now we want to see YOUR pups! 📸🐾 Drop your favorite photo of your dog in the comments below. Cute, goofy, sleepy, derpy… we want to see them all! 💚

Happy National Dog Month!

07/21/2026

🌧️ Monsoon Season Means Colorado River Toad Season! 🐸⚠️

As the summer rains arrive in Southern Arizona, so do Colorado River toads (Sonoran Desert toads)—and they can pose a serious threat to curious dogs.

These large toads secrete a potent toxin from glands behind their eyes when they feel threatened. Dogs are most commonly exposed by sniffing, licking, or picking up a toad in their mouth, causing the toxin to be rapidly absorbed through the gums.

🚨 **Signs of Colorado River Toad Toxicity include:**
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Bright red gums
• Pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Difficulty walking or stumbling
• Tremors or seizures
• Collapse
• Abnormal heart rhythms

⏰ What should you do?
If you suspect your dog has had contact with a Colorado River toad:
✅ Immediately rinse your dog's mouth with a gentle stream of running water for **5–10 minutes**, keeping their head pointed downward so they don't swallow the water.
✅ Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. This is a true medical emergency, and rapid treatment can save your pet's life.

💡 Prevention Tips:
🐾 Keep dogs on a leash during evening and early morning walks.
🐾 Supervise your pets when they're outside, especially after rain.
🐾 Remove standing water and food bowls from the yard overnight, as they can attract toads.

At Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, we're here 24/7 to provide emergency care when every minute matters.

📞 If you believe your pet has been exposed to a Colorado River toad, contact us or your nearest emergency veterinarian immediately. 520-795-9955

07/15/2026

☀️ Arizona Heat Can Become Dangerous in Minutes ☀️

As temperatures continue to climb, heat stroke is one of the most serious emergencies we see—and it can happen faster than many people realize.

⚠️ Short-nose (brachycephalic) breeds such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, and Shih Tzus are at an even greater risk. Because of their shortened airways, these breeds have a harder time cooling themselves through panting, making them more susceptible to overheating—even during short walks or time outdoors.

🐾 Know the warning signs:
• Excessive panting
• Bright red gums
• Heavy drooling
• Weakness or collapse
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Disorientation or seizures

🚨 If you suspect heat stroke, act immediately. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency, and delaying treatment can quickly become life-threatening.

Prevention is the best medicine:
✅ Walk your dog early in the morning or after sunset.
✅ Always provide plenty of fresh water and shade.
✅ Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
✅ Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle—even with the windows cracked.
✅ Remember that hot pavement can burn paws. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their feet.
✅ If you have a brachycephalic breed, limit outdoor activity even more and watch closely for signs of overheating.

If your pet is showing signs of heat stroke:
🏥 Seek emergency veterinary care immediately
❄️ Move them to a cool area
💧 Offer small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water if they are alert.
🌬️ Use cool (not ice-cold) water and fans while transporting them.

Every minute matters.

📍 Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency care when your pet needs it most.

Stay safe, stay cool, and help protect your pets this summer.

06/14/2026

🇺🇸🎆 Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips 🎆🇺🇸

The Fourth of July is a time for family, friends, and celebration—but for many pets, it can be one of the most stressful days of the year. As we get closer to Independence Day, the team at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson wants to help keep your furry family members safe and comfortable.

🐾 **Keep pets indoors.** Fireworks can cause even the calmest pets to panic and run. Make sure doors, gates, and windows are secure.

🐾 **Create a safe space.** Set up a quiet room with familiar bedding, toys, and calming background noise such as a TV or music.

🐾 **Check identification.** Ensure your pet's microchip information is current and that they are wearing a collar with identification tags.

🐾 **Avoid table scraps.** Fatty foods, bones, alcohol, and other holiday treats can lead to serious gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis.

🐾 **Keep fireworks away from pets.** Fireworks, sparklers, glow sticks, and firecracker debris can cause burns, trauma, and toxicity if ingested.

🐾 **Talk to your veterinarian now.** If your pet has a history of anxiety related to fireworks or storms, don't wait until July 4th to discuss medications or calming strategies.

🚨 If your pet experiences severe anxiety, escapes, ingests something concerning, develops vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or sustains an injury, seek veterinary care immediately.

From all of us at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, we encourage pet owners to start preparing now for the upcoming holiday festivities. If an emergency does occur, please know our Emergency Team is available 24/7 to provide care when your pets need it most.

06/09/2026

A big thank you to Dr. Carotenuto for presenting an excellent continuing education lecture on rattlesnake envenomation and the latest advances in treatment for the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson team.

As veterinary medicine continues to evolve, staying current on emerging therapies, updated treatment recommendations, and new research is essential to providing the best possible care for our patients. Dr. Carotenuto shared valuable insights on the management of rattlesnake bites, including new and up-and-coming developments in treatment, helping our team stay at the forefront of emergency veterinary medicine.

We are incredibly fortunate to have team members who are passionate about education and committed to advancing patient care through ongoing learning and collaboration.

Thank you, Dr. Carotenuto, for sharing your knowledge and helping our team continue to grow!

04/05/2026

🐰🌷 A little Easter cheer from our amazing patients at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson! 🌷🐰

Even on holidays, caring for your pets is what we do best. Whether it’s an unexpected emergency, a complex surgery, or advanced imaging, our team is here when it matters most.

We’re sharing some extra smiles because nothing brightens our day like seeing our patients feeling better (especially in bunny ears 🐣💛).

Wishing you, your pets, and your families a peaceful and happy Easter! 🐾

02/14/2026

Love is in the air at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson! 💕🐾

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the unconditional love that our pets bring into our lives every single day. From tail wags and gentle purrs to the comforting nuzzle after a long day, their love is truly one of a kind.

At Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, we feel that love too — in every patient we care for and every family we support. It’s an honor to be part of your pet’s health journey and to help keep those hearts beating strong. ❤️

Give your furry Valentine an extra hug today (and maybe a special treat, too!). Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us to you and your four-legged sweethearts! 🐶🐱💝

12/28/2025

🐾 Special Visitor Alert! 🐾

We had an extra bulldog-sized dose of school spirit at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson today! 💙❤️

Victor E., the beloved Fresno State University mascot, stopped by for a visit and absolutely stole the show. From his signature swagger to his charming personality, he brought smiles to our team and clients alike. Our doctors and staff even had the opportunity to take great care of him during his visit — all part of making sure this famous Bulldog stays game-day ready. 🐶💪

Thanks for visiting us, Victor E.! You’re always welcome in Tucson.🐾🎓

Address

4909 N. La Canada Drive
Tucson, AZ
85704

Telephone

+15207959955

Website

https://vscot.com/

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