Veterinary critical care is an intense, fast-paced corner of the veterinary field, and only a special person can thrive and excel in such an environment. Meet Monika Kaelble, DVM, DACVECC, one of Omega Veterinary Group’s incredible veterinary criticalists. Dr. Kaelble (pronounced “Cable”) has spent most of her career in emergency and specialty medicine, providing advanced care to pets needing intensive treatment. Follow along as we share Dr. Kaelble’s story and explain what it takes to become a veterinary criticalist.

What is a veterinary criticalist?

A veterinary criticalist is a veterinarian with specialized training in emergency and critical care. Beyond the typical four years of veterinary school, they complete a one-year internship in small animal medicine and a three-year residency in a veterinary critical care unit. This extensive training helps them understand disease processes and master advanced medical skills and treatments.

Throughout the residency, they handle numerous complex medical cases under the guidance of a board-certified critical care specialist. Following their residency, they must pass the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care board examination to become a certified veterinary criticalist.

Meet Dr. Monika Kaelble

The pets in our San Mateo community and surrounding areas who come to our Omega Veterinary Group hospital are fortunate to have Dr. Kaelble oversee their emergency and critical care. We asked Dr. Kaelble how she became one of our awe-inspiring veterinary criticalists.

Question: Where are you originally from?
Answer: I am originally from the Los Angeles region and currently live in San Diego.

Q: Where did you attend veterinary school?
A: I received my veterinary degree from UC Davis.

Q: Where did you complete the additional training to become a criticalist?
A: I completed my internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Purdue University. After returning to California and spending a few years practicing as an emergency veterinarian, I pursued a residency focused on emergency and critical care and became a board-certified veterinary criticalist in 2000.

Q: What brought you to Omega Veterinary Group?
A: I am excited to join a veterinary hospital that focuses on building an ICU for pets in a collaborative environment.

Q: Where have you worked previously?
A: I have spent the majority of my career in San Diego.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a veterinary medicine criticalist?
A: I love being able to save a pet and return them home when everyone else has given up on diagnosing and treating their condition. Some areas that interest me are shock, resuscitation, rattlesnake envenomation, and sepsis. I also love teaching and training veterinarians in every stage of their careers. 

Q: Share your furry, scaly, or feathered family members with us.
A: Our house is affectionately called “The Zoo” and includes dogs, cats, tortoises, turtles, chickens, frogs, geckos, and a coral tank!

Q: Please tell us about your human family members.
A: My husband, Kurt, works in human healthcare. My son and daughter are both in college.

Q: What do you like to do in your time off?
A: I enjoy traveling, gardening, and cooking.

Q: Do you have any special talents?
A: I speak a little German.

Q: Where is your favorite place in the world?
A: My husband and I love to travel, so the next new place we visit is always our favorite!

If your pet requires intensive care or round-the-clock nursing, Dr. Kaelble may be the veterinarian overseeing their treatment plan and journey to recovery. After reading her story and learning her background, you’ll feel that a close friend is caring for your pet.

Give our Omega Veterinary Group team a call if your pet needs advanced critical care, or to discuss referral from your primary care veterinarian.