Emergency and Critical Care Service

Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Service

Staff in our small animal emergency service have training and expertise in responding to health emergencies for dogs, cats, and companion animal zoo species. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapeutic options.

What is an emergency? 

If you think your animal is experiencing an emergency but aren’t sure, call us. We’re happy to help you assess whether your animal needs to be seen.

If you have a concern that is not life-threatening, but you want your dog or cat to be seen same-day and your primary veterinarian is not available, you can call the Urgent and Convenient Care service at 217-244-2555. Visit our Urgent and Convenient Care page for more details.

Common emergencies include:

• Allergic reactions/hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty urinating/not producing urine
• Difficulty walking or prolonged lameness
• Collapse, seizures, not conscious
• Ingestion of toxins or foreign objects
• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea and/or decreased appetite
• Punctures or bite wounds
• Severe bleeding
• Traumas, such as being hit by a car or falling
• Unusual behavior/lethargy

Services

• 24-hour service, 365 days a year
• State-of-the-art diagnostics and therapeutic options
• Highly trained team consisting of diplomates in emergency and critical care and specialty trained technicians

Special Capabilities

• 24-hour emergency laboratory with point of care complete blood count, serum chemistry, and arterial and venous blood gas analysis capabilities
• Advanced pain management
• Trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Direct and indirect arterial blood pressure monitoring
• Enteral and parenteral nutrition
• On-site blood banking and blood transfusions
• Oxygen cages that are temperature and humidity controlled
• Mechanical ventilation
• Non-invasive ventilation with high flow nasal oxygen
• Point-of-care ultrasound capabilities