Emergency Critical Care

Emergency & Critical Care Overview

We are here 24/7, 365 days a year for emergencies. Our Emergency & Critical Care team provides top notch medical care while treating both patients and pet owners with compassion. We also work hand in hand with your primary care veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives the very best in collaborative care. Medical notes are sent to your primary care veterinarian after your visit, and many times follow up care can be performed at your family veterinary hospital.

What Is An Emergency and Critical Care Specialist?

A board certified specialist in emergency and critical care is a veterinarian who has obtained intensive, additional training in treating life-threatening conditions. An emergency and critical care specialist can help in the following kinds of cases, among others:

Traumatic injuries of all kinds:
Respiratory emergencies
Poisonings
Animals in need of blood transfusions
Animals in shock
Coma or severe seizures
Diabetic Crises
Acute or severe illness
When Does My Pet Need Emergency Care?
Any of the following situations can be considered an emergency:
Difficulty breathing or severe coughing
Ingestion of a foreign object, drug, poison or unknown substance
Bleeding or unexplained bruising
Blood in vomit, feces or urine
Severe vomiting, retching, or diarrhea
Swollen, hard or painful abdomen
Serious wound
Suspected broken limb
Any injury to the eye
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Inability to move or sudden weakness
Unusual or erratic behavior
Signs of extreme pain
Straining to urinate (especially a male cat)
Labor that does not progress
Prolonged heat exposure, overheating or heat stroke
Snake bite

If you are concerned about your pet at any time, please contact us. We are happy to counsel you on the best course of action.

What Is Critical Care?

While an emergency is unfolding, or throughout recovery from a serious illness or accident, ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic care and constant monitoring of your pet's condition may be required. At VCA South Shore, we provide 24-hour supervision of critically ill pets in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We are equipped to administer oxygen therapy, perform cardiac monitoring, give blood transfusions, offer nutritional support and more. We also have advanced diagnostic capabilities onsite so that we can get to the root of your pet’s problem as quickly as possible.