Emergency & ICU Care at Omega Veterinary Group, San Mateo

When your pet experiences a life-threatening emergency, every second matters. Whether it’s sudden trauma, difficulty breathing, or a severe illness, Omega Veterinary Group provides the highest level of emergency and critical care available in the Bay Area. Our board-certified specialists, advanced technology including on-site CT and 24/7 monitoring ensure your pet receives expert, compassionate care at every stage.

Recognizing a Veterinary Emergency

Prompt action can make all the difference. Contact your emergency vet or head to our facility if your pet shows signs such as:

  • Seizures or collapse
  • Trouble breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding or serious trauma
  • Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
  • Inability to urinate
  • Sudden disorientation, weakness, or unresponsiveness

For a more comprehensive list of emergency symptoms, review the AVMA’s emergency guide or AAHA’s resource.

What to Do in a Pet Emergency

  1. Stay Calm & Assess
    Approach your pet carefully, especially if they are in pain. Avoid causing additional stress or injury.
  2. Provide Basic First Aid (If Safe)
    Apply pressure to bleeding wounds or perform CPR if you are trained and your pet is not breathing. Avoid interventions you’re unfamiliar with.
  3. Call Ahead
    Contact Omega Veterinary Group so our team can prepare for your pet’s arrival.
  4. Transport Carefully
    Use a secure carrier or makeshift stretcher (blanket or board) to minimize movement and support your pet’s body.

What Happens When You Arrive at Omega

Triage and Rapid Assessment

Upon arrival, your pet is immediately seen by a trained veterinary nurse for triage, a process that evaluates the urgency of their condition. Triage involves a quick check of:

  • Heart rate and rhythm – To assess for shock or arrhythmia
  • Respiratory rate and effort – To evaluate breathing and oxygen needs
  • Temperature – To detect fever, hypothermia, or inflammation
  • Mucous membrane color and capillary refill time – To check circulation and oxygenation
  • Level of consciousness and mobility – To identify neurologic or metabolic issues

This allows our team to prioritize life-threatening cases and begin immediate stabilization if needed.

Diagnostics: Choosing the Right Tools

Once your pet is stabilized, we begin diagnostics tailored to their symptoms. This process may include:

  • Bloodwork – To evaluate organ function, infection, hydration, and electrolytes
    (Learn more about the importance of bloodwork)
  • Radiographs (X-rays) – For identifying fractures, foreign bodies, or fluid accumulation
    (UC Davis X-ray info)
  • Ultrasound – To assess abdominal organs, heart function, and internal bleeding
    (Ultrasound at UC Davis)
  • On-site CT scanning – Our advanced CT allows for detailed cross-sectional imaging of the head, chest, spine, and internal organs. This is particularly valuable in trauma cases, respiratory distress, or when internal pathology is suspected but not visible on X-rays or ultrasound.

These tools help our doctors reach a precise diagnosis quickly and begin targeted treatment.

Stabilization: A Critical First Step

In parallel with diagnostics, our team works to stabilize your pet’s condition. This may involve:

  • IV fluids to address shock, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance
  • Oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress
  • Anti-seizure medications, antibiotics, or pain control
  • Warming or cooling support to regulate body temperature

This initial phase is vital to buy time, ease distress, and create a foundation for further treatment.

ICU Care: Monitoring and Advanced Support

Critically ill pets may be admitted to our Intensive Care Unit, where they receive round-the-clock monitoring and individualized treatment plans.

Vital Signs We Monitor (and Why)

  • Heart rate & ECG – To detect arrhythmias and guide fluid therapy
  • Respiratory rate & oxygen levels (SpO2 or blood gases) – To track breathing adequacy and oxygen delivery
  • Temperature – Helps manage fever, infection, or post-surgical recovery
  • Blood pressure (non-invasive or arterial) – To assess circulation and guide treatment in shock or sepsis
  • Pain scoring and behavior – Monitored closely to ensure comfort

The Importance of Pain Management

Pain management is not just about comfort—it supports recovery, reduces stress, and improves physiologic stability. We use multimodal approaches, including:

  • Local nerve blocks or epidurals (when appropriate)
  • Continuous infusions (CRIs) of analgesics
  • Oral and injectable medications tailored to species and condition

Our priority is to treat pain proactively, not reactively—because healing begins with comfort.

How Long Will My Pet Stay in Critical Care?

Length of stay depends on several factors, including:

  • Diagnosis and severity of condition
  • Response to treatment
  • Surgical recovery needs
  • Nutrition and hydration status

Some pets may require overnight monitoring, while others may remain in the ICU for several days.

When Is a Pet Ready to Go Home?

Discharge decisions are made with care and consideration of:

  • Stable vital signs
  • Ability to eat, urinate, and defecate normally
  • Pain well-managed on at-home medications
  • No need for 24-hour support

We’ll provide you with a clear discharge plan, including medications, follow-up appointments, and what to watch for at home.

Expert Care, Every Step of the Way

Omega Veterinary Group is proud to include ACVECC Diplomates—board-certified specialists in emergency and critical care. These experts lead our ICU teams and guide care for the most complex cases, such as:

  • Multi-organ dysfunction
  • Sepsis or severe infection
  • Respiratory failure
  • Neurologic emergencies

What is an ACVECC Diplomate? Learn more

Planning Ahead: Emergency Prep and Payment Options

Be Prepared

  • Post emergency contact info in your home
  • Keep a first aid kit stocked and accessible
  • Know the nearest 24/7 veterinary hospital (that’s us)

Financial Planning

Unexpected care can be overwhelming. We offer or accept

Your Partner in Advanced Veterinary Care

At Omega, we believe the best outcomes come from collaboration—between our medical team, your primary veterinarian, and you. We’re committed to keeping you informed at every step, answering your questions with compassion and transparency, and ensuring you feel supported throughout your pet’s care journey.

You’re more than a pet owner. You’re a vital part of the care team. And we’re here to guide and support you—every step of the way.