Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

If your pet is very sick, post op from surgery or requires around the clock nursing care, your pet would be a patient in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). ICU hospitalization is for pets that require intensive critical care or multi-day monitoring. Intensive Care Unit members are equipped for around the clock care and will be watching over your pet at all times while in the hospital. They are trained to handle a variety of cases from Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology and other specialties. They are crisis ready at all times, with areas including cages with desks so that the technicians, assistants, and veterinarians can keep a close eye on their patients to provide the best care possible.

Vitals are monitored either 2-4 hours apart, but can be as frequently as every 5-15 minutes in very critical pets. This area is equipped with specialized tools and medical equipment that enable the veterinary team to provide comprehensive care for hospitalized patients.

• Monitoring can include:

  • Doppler or oscillometric blood pressure

  • Pulse oximetry to check oxygen saturation

  • ECG to check the waveform and activity of the heart

  • Crash Carts - includes everything needed to perform basic and advanced CPR

• Diagnostics:

  • In house bloodwork or other lab work based on the needs of the animal

  • Ultrasound or Radiographs

  • Various machines to check the eyes, ears and mouth

• Supplementation:

  • IV fluid pumps to give controlled amounts of IV fluids

  • Medications such as antibiotics and pain management

  • Oxygen - either cages or connectors for face masks/ nasal cannulas 

Technicians, with the help of assistants, carry out any patient care, monitoring, and treatments that are prescribed by the veterinarian. These individuals are very knowledgeable, trained on how to carry out various treatments and proficient in emergency and critical care. They are huge advocates for the hospitalized patients under

their care. They keep very close watch over your pet and will alert the veterinarian of any changes - both good and bad, to ensure your pet is receiving the best care possible. 

Author: Olivia Creel, CVT/LVT Editor: Maria Putnam, CEO Published By: All About the Animals Foundation