VTMED 5611 - Small Animal Clinical Emergency and Critical Care Medicine

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. 2 credits. Letter grades only.

Enrollment limited to: fourth-year veterinary students. Required component of Clinical Rotations (Foundation Course VI).

D. Fletcher, J. Forbes, R. Goggs, N. Peterson, A. Pigott, S. Robbins, G. Schoeffler.

Management of both emergent and critical cases represents a significant component of the practice of veterinary medicine. The focus of this clinical rotation will be the development of a knowledge base and a comprehensive set of skills necessary for a veterinarian to perform adequately in these areas, within a structured format. These skills will include the appropriate evaluation (triage) and stabilization of emergency patients, the management of post-operative and other critical patients, and sensitive and effective client communication. Participants access relevant information from various sources related to emergency and critical care medicine and understand and apply these principles to clinical cases. Students will participate in the management of incoming emergency cases as well as having primary patient care responsibilities in both intensive care and intermediate care units. Students will work closely with interns, residents, technicians, and faculty on the Emergency & Critical Care Service to become familiar with technical and nursing procedures as well as to develop clinical skills and a systematic approach to clinical cases.