When it comes to our pets’ health, every pet owner dreads their furry friend needing emergency medical attention. Veterinary critical care is a specialized field dedicated to treating life-threatening conditions in pets, ensuring they receive the best possible care when they need it most. Our Omega Veterinary Group team explains what veterinary critical care entails, why it’s essential, and what pet owners can expect when their pet requires this level of medical attention.

The basics of veterinary critical care

Veterinary critical care is the branch of veterinary medicine focused on diagnosing and treating severe and life-threatening conditions in pets. This specialty combines emergency care with intensive care, with round-the-clock monitoring and advanced treatments to stabilize and support pets in critical condition. Veterinary critical care specialists (i.e., criticalists) are trained to handle complex cases and to manage a wide range of medical emergencies with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.

The role of a veterinary critical care specialist

Veterinary criticalists undergo extensive training beyond veterinary school. They complete internships and residencies in emergency and critical care to gain expertise in managing acute and severe illnesses. They work closely with other veterinarians, including general practitioners and specialists in fields such as cardiology, neurology, and surgery to provide comprehensive care for critically ill pets.

Common conditions treated in veterinary critical care

Pets may require critical care for various reasons, including:

  • Trauma — Common traumatic injuries include car accidents, falls from significant heights, and bites from other pets or wild animals. These injuries can result in severe internal damage, fractured bones, or deep wounds.
  • Toxicities — Ingestion of toxic substances, such as household chemicals, plants, or human medications, often requires intensive care and hospitalization. 
  • Medical emergencies — Conditions that can rapidly deteriorate and require ongoing, specialized care include congestive heart failure, respiratory distress, and severe infections.
  • Post-surgical complications — Pets recovering from major surgeries may need a criticalist to manage pain, prevent infections, and monitor their recovery.

The veterinary critical care process

Pets who require emergency treatment or ongoing critical care may go through the following steps.

Initial assessment and stabilization

When your pet arrives at Omega Veterinary Group, the first step is a thorough assessment to determine the severity of their condition. This includes a physical examination, blood tests, imaging (e.g., X-rays, ultrasound), and other diagnostic procedures. The primary goal is to stabilize your pet and address any immediate health threats, such as controlling bleeding, managing pain, or supporting breathing.

Intensive monitoring and treatment

Once stabilized, your pet is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for continuous monitoring and treatment. The ICU is equipped with advanced medical technology, including ventilators, infusion pumps, and monitoring systems, that track vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Our veterinary critical care teams work around the clock, providing treatments that include:

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids — IV fluids maintain hydration and blood pressure.
  • Medications — Medication may be administered for pain management, infection control, and specific conditions.
  • Nutritional support — Nutritional support provides your pet with adequate nutrition, sometimes through a central venous catheter or feeding tube.
  • Oxygen therapy — For pets with respiratory issues, an oxygen cage or ventilator may be necessary.

Collaboration and communication

Effective communication between the veterinary critical care team and the pet owner is crucial. We will keep you informed about your pet’s condition, treatment plan, and prognosis. We also will collaborate with your pet’s primary veterinarian to develop a comprehensive treatment strategy and ensure continuity of care.

When to seek veterinary critical care

Recognizing the signs that your pet needs emergency care is vital. Some signs that warrant immediate veterinary attention include:

  • Severe bleeding or wounds
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
  • Sudden collapse or inability to stand
  • Seizures
  • Severe pain signs, such as constant whining or yelping
  • Toxin exposure

If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of caution and seek prompt veterinary advice.

Veterinary critical care is a lifesaving field and criticalists are dedicated to managing the most severe and urgent pet health issues. Keep in mind that early intervention and expert treatment are key. By being informed and prepared, you can help safeguard your pet’s health and give them the best chance at a swift recovery. Give our Omega Veterinary Group team a call if your four-legged friend needs critical care.