Keywords: emergency medicine, critical care, shock, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fluid therapy, trauma, sepsis, dyspnoea, monitoring, intensive care unit
Emergency and critical care deals with life‑threatening conditions in dogs and cats. Rapid patient assessment, prompt stabilisation and continuous monitoring are the core principles. Common emergencies include trauma, shock, respiratory distress, sepsis, poisoning and multiple‑organ dysfunction. Initial treatment prioritises airway, breathing and circulation before pursuing full diagnostic work‑up.
Primary survey evaluates vital functions immediately. Clinicians secure a patent airway, ensure adequate ventilation, and assess heart rate, pulse quality, mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time. Dyspnoeic patients need oxygen supplementation; severe cases require intubation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed for animals experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest.
Shock is a frequent critical status. Hypovolaemic shock usually results from haemorrhage or fluid loss. Distributive shock often comes with sepsis. Cardiogenic shock arises from primary heart failure. Aggressive intravenous fluid therapy is essential, while vasopressors may be required for refractory hypotension. Fluid rates are adjusted according to blood pressure, heart rate and perfusion parameters to avoid fluid overload.
Trauma patients need full physical examination to detect hidden injuries such as pulmonary contusions, diaphragmatic hernia and internal bleeding. Wounds are cleaned and bandaged; fractures are temporarily stabilised. Poisoning cases require decontamination and targeted antidotes when available.
In the intensive care unit, continuous monitoring is essential. Parameters include blood pressure, heart rhythm, blood oxygen concentration, body temperature, blood glucose and acid‑base balance. Laboratory testing tracks organ function, coagulation status and inflammatory response. Pain management cannot be neglected for critical patients, even when they appear unconscious.
Sepsis remains one of the highest‑mortality conditions. It originates from severe infection leading to systemic inflammatory response. Treatment involves antimicrobial therapy, source control, fluid resuscitation and organ supportive care. Multiple‑organ dysfunction syndrome may develop if intervention is delayed.
Emergency stabilisation does not equal final treatment. Once patients are stable, further imaging and laboratory tests help define underlying diseases. Some animals need surgery or long‑term supportive care. Early recognition of deterioration, correct triage and individualised supportive therapy greatly improve survival rates for critical small‑animal patients.