Critical Care

Critical Care Services

The VMC is the premier large animal emergency care center in the state and region.  An emergency team of doctors, technicians and students is on call at all times. Board certified anesthesiologists and surgeons are ready if cases require surgery. Board certified internal medicine specialists are available for medical emergencies of all types and offer a special critical care service for sick foals. Board certified reproductive specialists are prepared for foaling mares and injured stallions. Laboratory and imaging facilities provide service at all hours to help guide diagnostic and therapeutic choices.

The hospital is staffed by certified veterinary technicians 24/7 with additional help provided by veterinary students specializing in large animal medicine. An intensive care area is centrally located to permit constant supervision of colics and more critical cases.  This area includes a padded stall with an Anderson sling for care of recumbent or incoordinated horses with major orthopedic or neurologic problems.  A specially designed neonatal intensive care unit allows intensive treatment of sick neonates while maintaining proximity to the dam and adjacent stalls include oxygen lines for cases with respiratory distress.  A separate isolation facility prevents contact between potentially infectious cases and other hospital cases. Video monitoring allows oversight of these cases at all times.

Most cases will benefit from being stabilized by your local veterinarian before transport, particularly horses with fractures and those that might be too distressed to travel safely without further assistance. However, either you or your veterinarian may call in advance to get advice on the best course of action for your horse (612-625-6700).