What illnesses do cats and dogs have that require them to stay in the Intensive Care unit?
Animals with unstable cardiovascular diseases, oxygen-dependency, extreme pain, severe infections or septic states, extreme neurologic complications, severe metabolic derangement, or those requiring blood transfusions, ventilatory support, or intensive monitoring all reside in the ICU for the highest possible level of care and monitoring. Examples of animals that require hospitalization in the small animal intensive care unit at WCVM include those with severe pancreatitis, respiratory distress, acute congestive heart failure, pneumonia, moderate to severe trauma (from automobile accidents or other traumatic accidents), complicated diabetes, and recent surgeries and surgical complications. Canine and feline patients from other services such as internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology and the emergency service are hospitalized in the ICU. The care of these patients is directed by the supervising service and the critical care clinicians are available to provid