Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences functions as reference clinic and frequently receives critical patients who need intensive care and monitoring. Therefore, a separate emergency medicine and intensive care department was formed two years ago. 

Who are we?
Currently three veterinarians specialising in emergency medicine and intensive care (Dr Kadri Janson, Dr Valentina Oborina and Dr Raidy Mägi) are working in our clinic. Additionally, several junior veterinarians and veterinarians specialising in orthopaedics and internal diseases rotate in the department. During the night, outside regular working hours, veterinarians specialising in different fields provide high quality emergency care services.  

 

What services do we provide?
The state of severely injured animals or those in critical condition is commonly fragile and has to be stabilised before it is possible to perform any further diagnostic procedures or tests. That means that intravenous cannula is first placed enabling administration of the necessary medications and fluids. Additionally, the vitals are taken. If necessary, oxygen is administered to facilitate respiration.

The most common diagnostic procedures during an emergency visit are blood sampling and analysis, diagnostic x-ray examination/ radiology, and express ultrasonography. Express ultrasonography is a procedure during which the veterinarian controls the presence of fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. More comprehensive ultrasonography, where the internal organs are measured and their structure is analysed, is performed by an internal disease specialist, when the animal condition is sufficiently stable for the procedure. The staff members of the emergency medicine and intensive care department often have to deal with critical patients referred from other departments, and therefore, cooperation among specialists is essential.  

 

Who are our main patients?
In most general terms, our patients are all the animals whose condition requires constant monitoring and care. Critical patients are placed in an ICU stationary in the centre of the department, where their condition is continuously monitored and treatment plan is adjusted if necessary. 
We mainly deal with patients who need blood transfusion, suffer from chronic respiratory and/ or cardiac diseases, or experience urination problems. Furthermore, our veterinarians and their assistants constantly monitor patients with major traumas and those, who may suffer from seizures. 
Our staff members may insert a gastric tube to feed the patient or place urinary catheter if necessary.
The staff members of emergency medicine and intensive care department treat and suture smaller skin wounds.

 

Visiting an ICU patient
ICU patients are regularly under the effect of rather strong medications. Additionally, there may be other patients in the department. Due to these as well as biosecurity factors, daily visits by the animal owner or keeper are not recommended. 

Communication takes place twice a day via phone or if there are any changes in the patient’s condition. We hope for your understanding if the veterinarian cannot always answer the phone immediately – the doctor will always call you as soon as possible and provide you with all the necessary information!

 

Raising awareness among animal owners
Emergency medicine and intensive care department issues various brochures for the animal owners to warn them about different risks and provide information about how they can help their animal themselves in an emergency situation. 
You may find additional information HERE.

 

 

It is expensive
Emergency care of critical patients in the clinic is expensive. Why so? Critical patients often require individual approach and monitoring, which means that somebody has to constantly be close to them, take their vitals, adjust the treatment plan, and administer necessary medications. The animal may need numerous blood sampling, repeated ultrasonography, or other diagnostic procedures, which may significantly increase the cost of their stationary treatment. 

 

One has to be prepared for emergencies
Unlike people, there is no Health Insurance Fund for animals. Thus, we suggest that every owner should insure their animal. You may find more information about pet insurance by clicking on the links below: 

 

https://www.if.ee/en/eraklient/kindlustused/lemmiklooma-kindlustus​

In our clinic it is possible to apply for instalment credit from Medicredit and Placet Group. For more information visit the company's webpages: https://www.medicredit.ee/en/ & https://partner.laen.ee/emu