How many animals
spend time in the UC Davis Small Animal Intensive Care Unit annually?
We have 1400-1500 patients in our ICU each year, with an average
of approximately 5 patients per day. The average stay of all small
animal patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit is approximately
2 days.
What costs can be expected for the
critical patient care provided 24 hours a day in the UC Davis
ICU?
Costs to owners for hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit
typically vary between $100 and $650 per 24 hours, depending on
level of patient care and monitoring required.
What illnesses do cats and dogs have
that require them to stay in the Intensive Care Unit?
Animals with unstable cardiovascular systems, oxygen-dependency,
extreme pain, severe infections or septic states, extreme neurologic
compromise, severe metabolic derangement, or those requiring blood
transfusions, ventilatory support, or intensive monitoring reside
in our ICU for the highest possible level of care and monitoring.
Examples of patients which sometimes require hospitalization in
the UC Davis Small Animal Intensive Care Unit are those with:
severe pancreatitis, respiratory distress, acute congestive heart
failure, pneumonia, moderate to severe trauma (i.e., automobile
accidents or falls from great heights), complicated diabetes,
and recent surgeries or surgical complications.
Are animals in the ICU exclusively
patients of the Emergency/Critical Care Service?
No. Animals from any service within the Veterinary Medical Teaching
Hospital (VMTH) are admitted to the ICU if their clinician considers
it beneficial for that individual patient. The care of that patient
is directed by the admitting service. The Emergency/Critical Care
Service clinicians provide consultations to other members of the
VMTH around the clock.
What is the nurse-to-patient ratio
in the Small Animal ICU?
The UC Davis Small Animal Intensive Care Unit's nurse-to-patient
ratio varies from 1:1 to 1:3 depending on intensity of care deemed
necessary by that patient and clinician.
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