When your beloved dog, cat, or other companion animal faces a medical emergency, swift and expert care is paramount. The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service offers 24/7, 365-day support for a wide range of urgent situations, providing advanced diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. Understanding what constitutes an emergency and the services available can help you make informed decisions during a stressful time.
When to Seek Emergency Care
The veterinary team encourages you to call if you suspect your animal is experiencing an emergency, even if you are unsure. They are available to help you assess the situation and determine if immediate veterinary attention is necessary. For concerns that are not life-threatening but require same-day attention when your primary veterinarian is unavailable, the Urgent and Convenient Care service can be contacted at 217-244-2555.
Common Emergencies Include:
- Allergic Reactions and Hives: Sudden swelling, itching, or difficulty breathing can indicate a severe allergic reaction.
- Breathing Difficulties: Any labored breathing, gasping, or unusual respiratory sounds warrant immediate attention.
- Urinary Issues: Difficulty urinating or a complete inability to produce urine can signal a life-threatening condition, especially in male cats.
- Mobility Problems: Sudden collapse, seizures, loss of consciousness, or prolonged lameness require urgent evaluation.
- Toxin or Foreign Object Ingestion: If you suspect your pet has eaten something poisonous or a foreign object, contact a veterinarian immediately.
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or a significant decrease in appetite can lead to dehydration and other complications.
- Wounds: Puncture wounds, deep cuts, or significant bleeding require prompt medical care.
- Trauma: Injuries resulting from accidents such as being hit by a car or falls necessitate immediate assessment.
- Lethargy or Unusual Behavior: A sudden and severe change in behavior or extreme lethargy can be a sign of a serious underlying issue.
A veterinarian examining a dog during an emergency.
Available Services and Capabilities
The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service is staffed by a highly trained team, including board-certified specialists in emergency and critical care, alongside specialty-trained technicians. The service is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapeutic options to manage the most critical cases.
Specialized Services Include:
- 24-Hour Emergency Laboratory: Equipped with point-of-care capabilities for complete blood counts, serum chemistry analysis, and blood gas analysis.
- Advanced Pain Management: Protocols to ensure patient comfort during critical illness and recovery.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Trained personnel and equipment for emergency resuscitation.
- Advanced Monitoring: Direct and indirect arterial blood pressure monitoring for real-time hemodynamic assessment.
- Nutritional Support: Both enteral (feeding tube) and parenteral (intravenous) nutrition options.
- On-Site Blood Banking: Immediate access to blood products for transfusions.
- Environmental Support: Temperature and humidity-controlled oxygen cages and mechanical ventilation for respiratory support.
- Non-Invasive Ventilation: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy.
- Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Rapid diagnostic imaging for critical patients.
Financial and Procedural Information
All clients utilizing the emergency service are required to pay the exam fee and sign an authorization form detailing the services included in the ER examination before their pet is evaluated by a clinician. This ensures transparency regarding initial costs and procedures. Patients are triaged based on the urgency of their condition, meaning those with the most critical needs will be seen first. This may result in extended wait times for stable patients, and the team strives to keep clients informed about wait times for evaluation and consultation. Patience and kindness are greatly appreciated during these stressful times.
Meet the Expert Team
The service is comprised of dedicated clinicians, residents, interns, and staff, all committed to providing exceptional care.
Clinicians:
- Celeste Cruz – DVM
- Katherine Gane – BVMS, CertAVP ECC, MRCVS, DACVECC
- Stefania Gelendi – DVM, MRCVS, AFHEA, DACVECC
- Hana Huff – DVM
- Christopher Kennedy – BVetMed, BSc (hons), DACVECC, DECVECC
- Erin Long – DVM, DACVECC
- Nikki Soreng-Robbins – DVM
- Natasha Yeh – DVM
Residents and Interns:
- Marie Depoix – DVM
- Myriam Lejoncq – DVM
- Jose Mix – DVM
- Eva-Maria Talts – DVM
- Brent Von Schaumburg – DVM
- Morgan Wery – DVM
Small Animal Rotating Interns:
- Omar Abdalla – BVSc
- Rachael Feeney – DVM
- Kori Free – DVM
- Kelly Hearn – DVM
- Stephanie Kaufman – BVetMed, MRCVS
- Viviana Lee
- Alexis Liesen – DVM
- Ember Lucier – DVM
- Madison Pfahl – DVM
- Anna Rice – DVM
- Stephanie Sila – VMD
- John Tuminello – DVM
Staff:
The dedicated staff includes Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs), Veterinary Assistants, and Service Aides who play a crucial role in patient care and support.
For those seeking information on Equine and Farm Animal care, additional resources are available. The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pets during their most vulnerable moments.
