Specialty Services / Emergency & Critical Care

When seconds count…

When seconds count… the emergency and critical care (ER/CC) team of the Animal Emergency Center is here for you and your pet!

The team is composed of veterinary specialists, graduate veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and assistants working together to provide state-of-the-art medical and surgical veterinary care.

Our emergency/critical care specialists have completed at least 4 additional years of post-graduate intensive education to pass the rigorous examination of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC). Our ACVECC specialists are known as leaders in the field, writing the protocols, textbooks, and scientific articles that shape the ER/CC practice of veterinary medicine worldwide.

click here for an exciting ER/CC case study >

 

Our people make the difference…

The ER/CC service works with your primary care veterinarian to provide the best medical/surgical critical care for your pet. You may be referred during the middle of the night for an emergency or during the light of day for specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

 

Specialized Diagnostics Provided

• Stat laboratory analysis
• Antifreeze testing
• Echocardiology
• Ultrasonography
• Ultrasound guided aspirates/biopsies
• Gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Bronchoscopy
• Rhinoscopy
• Laparoscopy, thoracoscopy
• Cerebral spinal fluid collection
• Joint fluid collection
• Myelograms
• Fluoroscopy
• Radiographs
• MR imaging
• CT imaging (coming November 2005)

 

 

 

Specialized Therapeutic Procedures

• Shock resuscitation/fluid therapy
  • Synthetic colloids
  • Stroma free hemoglobin solutions
  • Blood products
• Nutritional support
• Avian, small mammal, exotic critical care (see exotics page)
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Long term ventilator therapy
• Feeding tube placement
• Nebulization
• Oxygen therapy
• Central catheter placement
  • double and triple lumen
  • central venous pressure
• Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation
  • Advanced life support
• Anesthesia for the critical patient
• Pain control
  • Local blocks
  • Epidural catheters
• Soft tissue surgical procedures
  • Wound repair
  • Abdominal surgeries
  • Tracheostomy
  • Chest tube placement
  • Chest tube continuous suction

Intensive monitoring procedures

• Electrocardiogram
• Blood pressure
• Central venous pressure
• Pulse oximetry
• End-tidal capnography
• Arterial catheters and blood gases

We understand the importance of the strong bond present between the family and the pet. Our goal is to make this stressful time as easy for you as possible. Diagnostic and therapeutic options for your pet, with the associated cost, will be discussed with you at time of consultation.

The doctors will keep you informed regarding your pet’s progress on a daily basis. You are encouraged to ask questions. And talk with your doctor about visiting your pet if hospitalize.