What does an emergency and critical care veterinarian do?

What is an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian?

Emergency and critical care veterinarians are specialized veterinarians whose professional focus is the immediate and urgent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of animals facing critical illnesses or injuries. Their expertise in providing life-saving interventions for conditions such as trauma and toxicities is particularly vital when veterinary clinics are closed. In addition to medical knowledge and skills, the role of these vets calls for the ability to navigate high-pressure emergency situations and effectively communicate with pet owners.

What does an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the emergency and critical care veterinarian include:

• Triage – assessing and prioritizing cases based on the severity of the condition, ensuring that the most critical patients receive urgent attention
• Emergency Medicine – treating animals for acute conditions such as trauma, respiratory distress, poisoning, and sudden severe illnesses
• Critical Care – managing animals in critical condition, which may involve advanced life support, monitoring vital signs, and providing interventions to stabilize patients
• Diagnostic Procedures – utilizing various diagnostic tools, including imaging studies, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic procedures, to quickly identify the underlying issues
• Treatment Planning – developing and implementing tailored treatment plans for each patient, considering the nature and severity of the condition
• Post-Surgical Care – providing intensive care for animals recovering from surgery, managing complications, and ensuring a smooth recovery process
• Communication – effectively communicating with pet owners, explaining diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment options, and offering emotional support during stressful situations
• Collaboration – working closely with other veterinary specialists, general practitioners, and support staff to ensure comprehensive care for patients
• Constant Monitoring – maintaining continuous monitoring of critical patients, adjusting treatment plans as needed, and being prepared to respond quickly to changes in their condition
• Emergency Surgery – performing emergency surgeries when necessary to address life-threatening conditions or injuries; if the emergency and critical care vet is not surgically trained, the emergency surgery would be performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon
• Educational Roles – providing education and guidance to pet owners on preventive measures and recognizing signs of potential emergencies
• Administrative Duties – completing administrative tasks such as maintaining medical records, documenting treatments, and ensuring compliance with hospital protocols

Types of Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians
Now that we have a sense of the scope of emergency and critical care veterinary medicine, let’s look at some different types of vets within this specialty:

• General Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians – These veterinarians are trained to handle a broad range of emergency cases and critical conditions in animals. They work provide immediate care to animals with various medical issues.
• Surgical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians – Some emergency and critical care veterinarians may have additional expertise in emergency surgeries. They are skilled in quickly assessing and performing surgical procedures to address acute conditions or injuries.
• Specialized Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians – Within the field, there are individuals who specialize in certain areas, such as cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, or other specialties. These specialists provide emergency and critical care within their field of expertise.
• Trauma and Critical Care Veterinarians – These veterinarians have specialized training in handling trauma cases, such as those resulting from accidents or injuries. They are skilled in stabilizing and treating animals with severe trauma.
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Veterinarians – ICU vets focus specifically on managing animals in the intensive care unit, where patients often require continuous monitoring and advanced life support.
• Pediatric or Neonatal Emergency Veterinarians – Specializing in the care of young animals, these veterinarians are trained to address the unique challenges and medical needs of neonatal or pediatric patients facing emergencies.
• Toxicology Specialists – Veterinarians with expertise in toxicology may focus on cases involving poisoning or exposure to toxic substances, providing rapid and targeted interventions.

What is the workplace of an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian like?

Emergency and critical care veterinarians can work for various entities that provide emergency veterinary services. The following are among their most common employers:

• Emergency Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals – Many emergency and critical care veterinarians work in standalone emergency veterinary clinics or hospitals that specifically focus on providing immediate care for animals outside regular business hours. These facilities are typically equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, surgical suites, and intensive care units to provide comprehensive care for critically ill or injured animals.
• Specialty Referral Hospitals – Some larger veterinary hospitals have dedicated emergency and critical care departments to handle urgent cases. These hospitals often offer a range of specialty services and may have specialists in various fields working collaboratively to provide integrated care for complex cases.
• University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals – Academic institutions with veterinary programs often have emergency and critical care services as part of their teaching hospitals. In addition to clinical practice, veterinarians in this setting may be involved in research and teaching as well mentoring veterinary students, residents, and interns.
• Corporate Veterinary Chains – Some corporate veterinary chains or groups operate emergency and specialty hospitals, employing emergency and critical care veterinarians to handle emergency cases. These facilities may benefit from centralized resources and support systems.
• Government Agencies – Veterinarians with expertise in emergency and critical care may be employed by government agencies involved in animal health, such as those responsible for disaster response or public health.
• Military Veterinary Services – In some cases, emergency and critical care veterinarians may work within military veterinary services, providing emergency care for service animals or military working animals.
• Non-profit Organizations – Certain nonprofit organizations may operate emergency clinics or provide emergency veterinary services, especially in disaster-stricken areas or for underserved communities.
• Private Practice Partnerships – In some cases, emergency and critical care veterinarians may be part of private veterinary practices that offer emergency services in addition to general veterinary care.

Regardless of their chosen employer, the work of the emergency and critical care veterinarian is often characterized by shift changes and on-call rotations and responsibilities. While many vets in the emergency and critical care sector spend much of their workday in treatment spaces and client consultation rooms, they may also find themselves in intensive care units, diagnostics areas such as radiology labs, surgical suites, offices, or classrooms and lecture halls. In general, the work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, where the veterinarian’s expertise and quick decision-making are crucial.