Critical Care
Our Expert Veterinary Critical Care for Pets in Need
Open 24/7 every day of the week
Specialty Teams
Mon-Fri: 8am–6pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
Open 24/7 every day of the week
Specialty Teams
Mon-Fri: 8am–6pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
Meet Our Critical Care Team
Dr. Katie Rhue, a board-certified critical care specialist, leads the critical care service at Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care. Dr. Ricardo Martinez works closely alongside Dr. Rhue as part of the critical care team, providing care for pets experiencing complex or life-threatening conditions.
Referring veterinary partners may call the hospital to discuss a case or submit a referral for critical care services.
What Is a Veterinary Criticalist?
Veterinary critical care is a specialized area of veterinary medicine dedicated to treating pets with serious, complex, or life-threatening conditions. It combines advanced treatment, intensive monitoring, and life-saving interventions for pets who require the highest level of care.
What Is a Veterinary Critical Care Specialist?
A veterinary critical care specialist, also known as a criticalist, is a veterinarian with advanced training in emergency and critical care. After veterinary school, criticalists complete several additional years of intensive training, including a specialized residency focused on diagnosing, stabilizing, and treating critically ill and injured pets.
Available Services
- High Flow Oxygen Support
- Mechanical Ventilator Support*
- Blood gas monitoring
- Clinical pathology
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Blood transfusions
- And more*
Common Disease Treatments
- Anuria/Oliguria
- Severe azotemia
- Acute kidney injury
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Addisonian crisis
- Septic abdomen
- Unstable pneumonia/Respiratory issues
- Unstable in Oxygen – Congestive Heart Failure
- Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
Common Disease Treatments Ctd.
- Immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia
- Hypotensive Despite IV Fluids
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Pneumothorax
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
- Shock
- Thromboembolic disease
- Bleeding disorders
- Upper Airway Obstructions
- Parvo
- Anaphylaxis
- And more*
Advanced Care for Critical Patients
Our Critical Care team has access to advanced monitoring and treatment capabilities for patients requiring a higher level of care, including:
- High-flow oxygen support
- Mechanical ventilator support
- Blood gas monitoring
- ECG and blood pressure monitoring
- Blood transfusions
- Advanced clinical pathology
- Intensive monitoring and supportive care
When Every Moment Matters
Serious illness can be overwhelming. Our Critical Care team works alongside our Emergency, ICU, and specialty services to provide coordinated, advanced care when your pet needs it most.
Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
