The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine (ECCM) Service at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center receives small and large animal patients as walk-ins and by referral. With more than 15 specialty veterinary services under one roof, we can internally collaborate with the other services in the Hospital to support and enhance your patient’s treatment plan.

If a client is seeking euthanasia services on an emergency basis, we will consider every case that presents and discuss the situation and options with the clients.

The ECCM service is staffed by specialists who are board-certified diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, as well as a team of residents, interns, staff veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and specialized veterinary nurses. We have expertise and technology that is unmatched in the state.

What to Expect

• Reception staff will immediately notify the ECCM staff when you arrive to Emergency and Critical Care Medicine.
• Your pet will be triaged by an ECCM team member. This is done to rapidly identify life-threatening problems and the need for additional evaluation and treatment.
• If your pet is judged to have a potentially life-threatening problem or requires further evaluation, we will ask your permission to take your pet to our Critical Care Unit for further evaluation and stabilization.
• One of our veterinarians will immediately assess your pet.
• While your pet is being assessed, you will be directed to the waiting area to review your pet’s complete medical history with a senior veterinary student.
• If your pet is judged to be stable, you will be directed to the waiting area to fill out a medical questionnaire.
• A senior student will collect a complete medical history, perform a full physical examination, and present this information to one of our veterinarians.
• A veterinarian will complete a full physical examination and ask you some additional questions.
• A diagnostic and treatment plan will be recommended to you, and treatment will begin.
• Many pets are admitted to the Hospital while others are treated on an outpatient basis. We strongly encourage scheduled daily visitation for hospitalized patients. We will contact you multiple times daily about your pet’s progress. We will also provide regular status reports to your primary care veterinarian.