Pet Emergency & Critical Care
Advanced emergency and critical care services for your dog or cat
When your dog or cat has an emergent, serious or life-threatening condition and needs the very best veterinary emergency and critical care (ECC) services, Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center team is here to help. Our board-certified faculty specialists lead a team of clinicians (residents and interns), highly-skilled registered veterinary technicians, vet assistants and graduating veterinary students to provide the fastest, most comprehensive and compassionate care. From the moment you arrive, you can take comfort in knowing your dog or cat will be cared for by a team of professionals who consider your pet as they would their own.
In this section
Common Conditions
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Trauma
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Broken bones
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Diarrhea
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Ingestion of toxic or foreign materials
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Diabetic complications
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Difficulty breathing
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Liver or kidney problems
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Not eating/drinking or not feeling well
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Lacerations
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Vomiting
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Urinary blockage
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Twisted stomach (GDV)
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Birthing complications
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Seizures
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Bleeding problems
Critical Care
Our Intensive Care Unit provides 24/7 support for those patients needing close monitoring and extensive care. The ICU is fully staffed with dedicated registered technicians, some of whom are certified in emergency and critical care, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and mechanical ventilation.
Our board-certified, faculty specialists in emergency and critical care medicine are on-site or available for consultation to assist with most critical patients. And, if indicated, consultation with board-certified specialists in other veterinary care areas (e.g. internal medicine, cardiology, surgery, etc.), regarding advanced diagnostic and treatment options, can be performed to facilitate patient transfer to that specialty service.
Bereavement and loss support is also provided through our Honoring the Bond program.
Special Equipment & Technology
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Heart, blood pressure and vital signs monitoring equipment
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Advanced supplies and equipment to stabilize and resuscitate patients
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Electric defibrillators for use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
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Capability to provide mechanical ventilation for patients with severe breathing issues
What to Expect
Due to the unpredictability and severity of patient problems, long waiting times are sometimes experienced. Upon admission, all patients are assessed immediately and triaged according to severity of problem. Patients with the most serious problems are seen first and patients with less serious problems will be attended to as soon as possible (similar to emergency rooms in human hospitals).
Senior veterinary students play an important role in our care team and thus clients should expect to speak to a veterinary student as part of the intake and treatment process. All students are in close communication with our care team’s veterinarians and communicate clinician recommendations to you. As soon as the veterinarian working with your pet is available, they will talk with you regarding additional testing needed, prognosis and treatment options, and the anticipated costs associated with care. Our care team consults with on-call specialists when appropriate.
You guys made a terrifying situation much less stressful due to your professionalism and care. Thank you for all you do in ensuring the highest quality care to our companions. Keep on being amazing!
Care Team
Paula Simons
Amanda Clapham
Grace Kallenberg
Kayla Konczos
Lexi Nelson
Lauren Robertson
Jen Basehart
Courtney Beiter
Kirsten Cheadle
Stacey Cooper
Shellie Creager
Sara Ecker
Alaina Gilbert
Melissa Gnau
Samantha Henderson
Shelby Huffman
Chelsea Johnstone
Nathan Mash
Courtney McClellan
Anna Moore
Olivia Pyles
Tom Skidmore
Olivia Stepp
Robyn Victorine
Sarah Virostko
Kadonna Wilson
Melissa Wilson
Clinical Trials
The Emergency & Critical Care service is often recruiting patients for related studies for which your pet may be eligible. If you have any questions regarding your pet's eligibility, please contact the Blue Buffalo Clinical Trials Office (cvm-clinicaltrials@osu.edu).
For a listing of current trials please click here.