Critical Care

The critical care service team at the Austin Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center (AVES) is equipped to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from minor to life-threatening. We are committed to supporting our local referring veterinary community by providing advanced diagnostics and intensive monitoring for your pet. The critical care department works closely with your regular veterinarian and other AVES specialist and emergency doctors to offer comprehensive, high-quality, and compassionate care.

After thoroughly evaluating your pet and reviewing the medical records provided by your regular veterinarian, we develop a unique diagnostic and treatment plan tailored to your pet's specific needs.

Our centrally located intensive care unit (ICU) is designed for close, 24-hour monitoring of your pet. The ICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including blood pressure monitoring, continuous cardiac monitoring, ECG monitoring, pulse oximetry, blood gas analyzers, coagulation monitoring, radiography, ultrasonography, arterial blood pressure monitoring, and blood typing.

If your pet requires oxygen therapy, the ICU features oxygen cages that provide a temperature- and humidity-controlled, oxygen-enriched environment. We are also equipped to provide oxygen via nasal lines as well as more advanced oxygen therapies, such as high-flow nasal oxygen therapy.

We carry a large array of blood products, such as packed red blood cells, plasma, albumin (for dogs) and platelet concentrate (for dogs) should your pet be in need of these therapies.

Critical Care Services

Acute patient stabilization
State-of-the-art patient monitoring
Stabilization/treatment of complications due to chronic illnesses (ex: kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, etc.)
Post-operative care
Traumatic injury
Shock resuscitation
Pain management
Advanced fluid therapy and transfusion therapy
Oxygen therapy
Specialized anesthetic protocols
Chest tube placement and management
Feeding tube placement
Endoscopic foreign body removal
Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis/abdominocentesis/pericardiocentesis
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Our Critical Care Team

Our critical care veterinarians have all undergone extensive training in emergency and critical care during a residency program and are either board-certified or in the process of completing their board certification.