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. Many emergency and critical care facilities offer 24-hour supervision of critically ill pets and, just as in human hospitals, may have dedicated Intensive Care and Critical Care Units (ICU/CCU). Such facilities are equipped to provide oxygen therapy, cardiac monitoring, blood transfusions, and nutritional support. Such facilities also typically have advanced diagnostic capabilities onsite, such as ultrasound and echocardiography.

At VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital, we have a team of emergency and critical care doctors and technicians treating and monitoring critically ill pets around the clock, 365 days a year. In addition, our Intensive Care Unit is equipped with a full complement of advanced, state-of-the-art emergency and critical care medical equipment. In the event of an emergency, our emergency and critical care team is ready at all times to help your pet.