From Critical to Comfort - A Guide for Pet Parents

Welcome

We understand that hospitalizing your pet, whether dog, cat, bunny, snake or bird, is hard and often terrifying. We try our hardest to ensure that whatever they are, that they are comfortable, safe, and getting the best treatment for their condition. Our staff members all have a passion for animals and have spent years in school to learn how to care for them all; so rest assured your loved one is in great hands. From the time you leave your pet with us to when they get to go home, our ICU team fosters each of their patients as if they are our own.

The Process

When you leave your loved one with us, they each get their own kennel for their stay. It is often lined with blankets and, if size permits, a bed to rest in. We will provide them with water, food, snacks, kitty houses for the felines, snuggles if they are comfortable, and of course, plenty of walks for our canine patients.

Often an Intravenous Catheter or IVC is placed to administer fluids and medications. To do this, an area on their leg is shaved and cleaned before a catheter is placed where it is then taped in to secure it.

Once an IVC is placed, medications and fluids can be administered to your pet. Our fluids have electrolytes to supplement our patients and we have a wide range of medications that help ease nausea and diarrhea, reduce pain, help anxiety, fight infections, correct low or high blood pressures, and treat heart disease. In severe cases we can administer blood and plasma transfusions.

During the rest of their stay, your pet will be carefully cared for by our ICU team. We will ensure that your beloved family member receives all their medications, we will watch for worsening symptoms, change in vitals, and make sure they remain comfortable until they can go home.

For patients staying for more than a few days, we provide enrichment to make their stay a little more tolerable, such as TV with birds, squirrels, sheep or cows, puzzle toys with treats and frozen treats to lick.

Our doctors will keep you informed of any changes during their shift but expect a formal update every morning. Feel free to call us and a Registered Veterinary Technician(RVT) can give you quick updates throughout the day.

Our ICU team conducts Rounds every day at 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM. The duration of Rounds varies depending on the day’s caseload. During this time, both doctors and RVTs will be involved, so updates, visitations, and discharges will be temporarily paused until Rounds are complete.