Emergency/Critical Care

brown horse grazing in spring pasture

Recent

Spring Pasture-Induced Colic in Horses
March 30, 2026

Colic is one of the most common and serious equine emergencies. In horses, colic refers to abdominal pain that arises from gastrointestinal issues such as gas and impaction (blockages). As springtime approaches, horse owners must…
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[dog in front of decorated tree]

Pets and Holiday Decorations Don’t Mix

December 17, 2018

Dangers Lurk in Lights, Plants, More What you think of as holiday décor just might look like playthings to your pets. “Animals will investigate anything new in their environment,” says Dr. Michael Biehl, a veterinary…
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[Dr. Annette McCoy examines a horse's leg]

First Aid for Horses

July 16, 2018

Be Prepared to Handle Wounds Would you know what to do if your horse accidentally encountered a sharp edge and ended up with a cut? Dr. Annette McCoy, an equine surgeon at the University of…
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[hot weather dog]

Avoid Hot Weather Hazards for Dogs

July 02, 2018

Dehydration, Heatstroke Are Preventable Ironically, the dog days of summer—the hottest time of the year—are not always good for dogs. Dr. Jennifer Reinhart, a specialist in veterinary internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary…
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[kitten plays with a ball of yarn]

Help! My Pet Swallowed a —!

February 04, 2018

A ‘foreign body’ may pose a medical emergency Animals are very curious creatures. But, as the old adage goes, curiosity can be deadly, or at least dangerous. So it is with animals that swallow things…
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[Rex the police dog goes home from the hospital]

Police Dog’s Twisted Spleen a Serious Problem

November 06, 2017

Splenic Torsion Requires Surgery For about a week in early September, Rex, a canine officer with the Decatur Police Department, had been lethargic and not himself. His handler took Rex several times to see the…
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dog in a taco costume

Remember FEAR Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Halloween

October 16, 2017

When Halloween comes, adults and kids alike enjoy the chance to dress up and eat more candy than usual. But the American Animal Hospital Association recommends being mindful of pets’ FEAR—food, environment, attire, and recovery—to keep pets safe…
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[Kora the greyhound running]

The Case of the Greyhound That Ran Too Much

October 07, 2017

Kora Is Recovering from Exertional Rhabdomyolysis It happened on a gorgeous but cool—only 75 degrees F—Saturday afternoon in mid August. Kora, a young retired racing greyhound, was playing and romping around at a three-acre dog park…
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[a horse gets up from rolling in a field]

Colic Comes in Many Forms

September 23, 2017

With quick attention, a colicky horse often recovers In horses, colic is an ambiguous, potentially dangerous, diagnosis. Dr. Annette McCoy, an equine surgeon at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, says, “Colic…
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[pyometra dog photo]

Infection in Dog’s Uterus Is Serious Business

August 15, 2017

Pyometra is a veterinary emergency When a middle-aged, intact female dog comes into the clinic with complaints from her owner that she has been depressed and lethargic, one of the first concerns that likely pops…
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