Emergency/Critical Care

Our team is always available, day or night. We are open on holidays and weekends. If you have a concern, please call or bring your pet to our hospital.

Our emergency and critical care veterinarians are highly specialized in the treatment of patients who have sustained trauma, are critically ill, and require intensive, critical care. We also treat minor emergencies and provide care for patients in need of medical attention when your family vet is not available.

Emergency Patients

On arrival, please fill out the Client Registration Form and the ER Questionnaire.

Once we have received both forms, a member of our team will be in touch. A copy of both forms will be sent to your email.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Pet Has Eaten Something Toxic

Gather up any packaging or remains of anything that was eaten or suspected as having been eaten and bring it with you. Please don’t be shy; if it was marijuana or any other embarrassing (or illicit) product, please be honest with our team; it will speed up diagnosis and treatment.

POISON CONTROL CENTERS:

The team in our emergency and critical care department works with other specialists and your primary care veterinarian to provide the comprehensive care your pet needs. Our emergency veterinarians and critical care specialists have extensive training in a complete range of emergency and critical care services and are supported by a team of experienced veterinary technicians.

Your family veterinarian may refer you to an emergency or critical care doctor for diagnosis and ongoing support of many conditions, including, but not limited to:

Diagnostics

CT Scan
Fluoroscopy
MRI
Radiography (X-Rays)
Ultrasound

Emergency Services

Comprehensive Emergency Medical Exam
Surgical Services through Emergency/Critical Care
Acute pain
Continuous EKG monitoring
Dystocia management (difficulty giving birth)
Full cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including defibrillation
Immune-related diseases

Infectious diseases
Kidney and liver disease
Neurologic problems
Peritonitis
Pneumonia and lung disease
Severe pancreatitis
Severe gastrointestinal emergencies (bloat)

Sepsis management
Seizure management
Toxicosis or poisonings
Trauma
Trouble breathing
Trouble walking
Trouble urinating

First Aid Kit Checklist

Pet Backpack or lunchbox
- Place all the following items inside and remember to restock
Phone Numbers:
- Your regular veterinarian, the closest emergency room, and Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
A spare leash
Self-cling bandage
Muzzle
Gauze pads
Gauze

Bandage tape
Ice pack
Cotton balls
Scissors
Saline solution
Tweezers
Rectal thermometer
Disposable gloves
Blanket

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- (If approved by a veterinarian)
Styptic powder (Kwik Stop)
Nail clippers
Flashlight
Rubbing alcohol
- (To clean the thermometer)
Your pet's paperwork
- Rabies certificate, Important Medical Records

Meet Our Team

Victoria Arbona

DVM, MS

Emergency & Critical Care Veterinarian, Resident

Veterinary Specialty Hospital - San Diego