The Emergency and Critical Care Service is directed and led by diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and supported by 24-hour licensed veterinary technicians. The service provides urgent evaluation and emergent treatment for all large animal species including horses, ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), camelids (llamas and alpacas), and pigs.
The service is equipped with full-service triage facilities, radiography, MRI, CT, ultrasonography, endoscopy/gastroscopy, arthroscopy and four operating rooms with induction and recovery suites. Intensive care is provided by dedicated, compassionate specialist and nurses, including board-certified criticalists, internists, surgeons, anesthetists, and radiologists.
Common reasons patients are seen by the emergency service include:
- Medical and surgical management of colic
- Laceration repair including septic synovial structures
- Resolution of esophageal obstruction (choke)
- Dystocia (difficulty foaling) requiring controlled vaginal delivery or cesarean section
- Colitis and diarrhea
- Respiratory distress necessitating emergency tracheostomy
- Fever of unknown origin
- Trauma and hemorrhage
- Infectious diseases such as strangles or salmonella
Faculty
Associate Professor Health Programs
Dr. Ashley VanderBroek joined the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences in 2020 as an Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery. She obtained both her bachelor’s and veterinary degree from Michigan State University. Following a large animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, she completed a surgical residency at New Bolton Center, the University of Pennsylvania’s large animal hospital. After her residency, she became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large Animal) and remained at New Bolton Center as a Lecturer in Large Animal Surgery until coming back to Michigan State University.
Associate Professor
Dr. Amelia Munsterman joined us as an associate professor of large animal surgery in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences on July 1, 2020. Munsterman's expertise in both equine surgery and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine will complement and expand the services we offer our patients at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Stefanie Hansen earned her DVM from the University of Copenhagen. She completed internships at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and Donnington Grove Equine Hospital. She later completed a residency in large animal surgery at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also earned a master's degree in veterinary clinical sciences.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Adrienne Rhodes is a Michigan native who was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. After graduating from veterinary school at Michigan State University in 2018, Dr. Rhodes headed out West and completed a private practice internship at Countryside Large Animal Veterinary Services, a mixed large animal practice in Greeley, CO. It was at this point in her career that she committed to the path of becoming a large animal surgeon. She returned to academia and completed two more internships at the University of Illinois including an equine surgery internship and a rotating equine medicine and surgery internship. She remained at the University of Illinois and completed an equine surgery residency. During her time at Illinois, Dr. Rhodes was involved in research that she presented at IVECCS in 2022 and was later on published, as well as graduating with a Master of Science degree in May 2024.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Bookbinder earned her veterinary degree from Cornell University and continued her specialty training through an equine internship at B.W. Furlong and Associates, and a Large Animal Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University.
Following, Dr. Bookbinder was a faculty member at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and cared for patients both in the field and at the university referral hospital.
Dr. Bookbinder has an enthusiasm for teaching and preparing students to be confident veterinarians. She is also passionate about large animal neurology, neonatology, antimicrobial stewardship, and preventative health.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Moreira earned her degree in veterinary medicine from the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto, Portugal. She then completed an equine rotating internship at the Equine Clinic De Morette, Asse, Belgium, followed by a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Moreira completed a fellowship in Large Animal Emergency and Critical Care under Dr. Amelia Munsterman's supervision, also at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Dr. Moreira is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Dr. Moreira has a particular interest in equine neonatology.
Residents
Resident
Originally from San Diego, Dr. Crosby attended veterinary school at St. George's University, in the class of 2020. She has completed internships at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky as well as at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center before beginning her surgical residency at Michigan State. Her main focus is equine orthopedics with strong interests in emergency/critical care and farm animal surgery.
Resident
Dr. Dennis is an internal medicine resident with the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.
Resident
Dr. Hess is an internal medicine resident in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, with a special interest in equine internal medicine.
Resident
Dr. Hilliard is a surgery resident in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.
Resident
Dr. Paganelli is originally from Westchester, New York, and fell in love with horses at a young age. She went to vet school at Cornell University, where she pursued large animal medicine after graduating. During her rotating internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Dr. Paganelli developed a passion for internal medicine, leading her to a residency at Michigan State. Her professional interests include equine medicine, emergency and critical care, neonatal medicine, and international working equid welfare.
Resident
Dr. Tukdarian is a surgery resident in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.