If you're a pet owner, you might wonder what critical veterinary care is and when an injury is qualified as an emergency for your companion. In this post, our Babcock Ranch veterinarians discuss what animal critical care is and what classifies a pet emergency.
What is animal critical care?
Just like humans, pets have emergency hospital services available to them in case of trauma or severe injury. Animal critical care is a service at some veterinary clinics, similar to the emergency wing at a hospital where ambulances take patients.
Critical care is typically offered 24 hours a day in emergency animal hospitals. Having an emergency for your pet can be very scary, so owners should know their options in these situations.
What is the difference between emergency care & critical care?
While veterinary critical care and emergency services have some overlap—both deal with seriously ill or injured animals—there are some important differences between them.
Veterinary emergency services treat pets suffering from serious and acute illnesses or injuries that require intensive and immediate care. Veterinary critical care services also deal with serious illness and injury, but they do so in cases where animals require 24/7 monitoring, complex treatments, and crate rest in a medical environment to help them recover.
Not all emergencies require critical care. Likewise, in situations where a pet has undergone major planned surgery (for example), it will likely require critical care to remain stable and begin its recovery without it ever having been a veterinary emergency case.
Why would a pet would need critical care?
A pet may need critical care services if it has experienced a severe injury, illness, or trauma that requires immediate and intensive medical attention. These services are necessary to stabilize the pet's condition, provide life-saving treatments, and ensure the best possible outcome for its health and well-being.
Some signs that may indicate your dog or cat needs to visit a critical care unit include:
- Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
- Weakness or collapse
- Seizures or convulsions
- Vomiting or diarrhea that is persistent and severe
- Inability to urinate or defecate
- Pale gums or sudden changes in gum color
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it is important to seek immediate veterinary care. They may indicate a serious medical emergency that requires prompt attention to prevent further complications. Early intervention can greatly improve the chances of a positive outcome for your pet's health and well-being.
Who can offer specialized services for pets needing critical care?
Veterinary hospitals with 24-hour emergency care services are best equipped to care critically for pets. These facilities have specialized staff and equipment to handle emergencies and provide intensive care for sick or injured animals.
These hospitals often also have specialized veterinary ICUs. These specialized units within animal hospitals provide intensive care for critically ill or injured pets. To provide round-the-clock care, these units have cutting-edge monitoring equipment and technicians with emergency medicine training on staff.
Click here to discover the 24-hour veterinary hospital in the Babcock Ranch area that we refer to.
What can I expect at a veterinary ICU?
Every emergency animal hospital is different. But in general, you can expect the following at a veterinary ICU:
Respiratory monitoring: This involves closely monitoring a patient's breathing rate, depth, and effort to ensure proper oxygenation and ventilation.
Cardiac monitoring: This involves continuous tracking of a patient's heart rate, rhythm, and overall cardiac function using specialized equipment, such as ECGs. This allows veterinarians to closely monitor any changes in the patient's cardiovascular status and provide timely interventions if necessary to ensure optimal care and recovery.
Fluid therapy: This involves administering fluids intravenously to maintain hydration, correct electrolyte imbalances, and support organ function in critically ill patients. Veterinarians carefully monitor this treatment to ensure the appropriate type and amount of fluids are given based on the patient's condition.
Blood transfusions: Blood transfusions are the administration of blood or blood products from a donor animal to a recipient animal needing additional red blood cells, platelets, or plasma. These transfusions are typically used to treat conditions such as anemia, clotting disorders, or severe blood loss due to trauma or surgery.
Special hospital beds: A special hospital bed at a veterinary ICU is specifically designed to provide comfort and support for animals recovering from surgery or critical care.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.