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