VetEmCrit: The Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Podcast

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join This is the first episode in a new long-form series by Dr. Lance Wheeler, DVM, DACVECC, working systematically through the core topics in small animal emergency and critical care medicine - starting with the foundations and building toward the more advanced concepts. The series is designed for ECC residents preparing for boards, technicians pursuing their VTS (ECC), and any clinician who wants a structured, practical review of high-yield emergency and critical care. In this first episode, he tackles one of the most fundamental skills in ECC: evaluation and triage of the critically ill patient. He starts with the primary survey - respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic - and walk through how to recognize early decompensation before a patient crashes. He covers practical thresholds you'll actually use on shift: oxygenation and ventilation targets, hypotension and shock index cutoffs, glucose, sodium, and potassium alert values, and the criteria that distinguish septic peritonitis, uroperitoneum, and bile peritonitis on point-of-care ultrasound. Along the way, he incorporates recent literature.  If you enjoy this episode and want the full experience - weekly deep-dives, interactive simulators, and clinical algorithms you can use on shift - come join us inside the VetEmCrit Academy.

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join Welcome back to the VetEmCrit Podcast! Today, we are sharing a special sneak peek from our brand-new "Nontraditional Acid-Base Analysis" training, now available inside the VetEmCrit Academy. In this audio lesson, we are exploring the fascinating origins of the Stewart approach and the physicist who completely turned the traditional bicarbonate model on its head. If you’ve ever felt like the classic acid-base model doesn't quite explain what's happening with your sickest ICU patients, this episode will lay the crucial groundwork for understanding a more precise, quantitative method.

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join This episode covers hypercoagulability in veterinary patients, framed around Virchow's Triad — blood stasis, vessel wall injury, and hypercoagulability. It clarifies that hypercoagulability increases thrombosis risk but isn't the same as thrombosis itself, and that normal testing doesn't rule out clots driven by stasis or endothelial injury. The discussion walks through the coagulation balance between procoagulants, endogenous anticoagulants, and fibrinolysis, followed by a practical diagnostic approach using PT/PTT, fibrinogen, D-dimers, antithrombin, viscoelastic testing, and imaging. It wraps up with CURATIVE guideline risk categories and antithrombotic options including clopidogrel, heparins, and DOACs, emphasizing the balance between thrombosis prevention and bleeding risk.

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join This episode covers how to recognize shock in dogs and cats. Learn how to perform a rapid primary survey, evaluate the six core perfusion parameters, and use supplemental data (lactate, shock index, blood pressure) to confirm your diagnosis. Through two real-world case examples, discover why shock is a clinical diagnosis that requires interpreting all findings in context, not just a single number or test.

In this episode, we explore a recent study examining the impact of pericardiocentesis on hemodynamic parameters and the caudal vena cava-to-aorta (CVC-to-Ao) ratio in dogs. The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join

The VetEmCrit Academy Membership built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join In this episode, we explore the benefits of early ultrasound screenings in detecting intestinal dehiscence after surgery in dogs and cats. We'll dive into a study that evaluated 114 cases, demonstrating how early ultrasounds can potentially save lives by identifying complications before they escalate. Learn about the findings, key ultrasound markers, and the importance of selective screening for high-risk patients. Link to the original paper: Evaluation of early and systematic ultrasound examination to determine postoperative dehiscence after small intestinal surgery (114 cases in dogs and cats)

The VetEmCrit Academy Membership built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join In this episode, we delve into the prognosis of colonic torsion in dogs. Historically, this condition had a poor outlook, but recent advancements in surgical management have led to improved outcomes. We analyze a study reviewing 28 cases, discussing clinical signs, surgical findings, and survival rates. Key takeaways include the high survival rate post-surgery and the potential for spontaneous resolution in some cases. Link to the original study: Colonic torsion and volvulus in dogs is associated with a low mortality rate and good long-term outcome

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: The VetEmCrit Academy Membership - https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join In this episode, we explore a study on preventing hypothermia in small dogs during surgery by using an easy and affordable method: wrapping their limbs with polyester covers. Hypothermia is a significant risk during anesthesia, particularly for smaller dogs under six kilograms, leading to complications like delayed recovery and altered drug metabolism. The study, conducted at a teaching hospital in Japan, involved 66 client-owned dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery. The dogs were divided into two groups: one received standard thermal support, while the other had their limbs wrapped in polyester covers. Results showed that limb wrapping helped maintain higher body temperatures, reducing the incidence of hypothermia. This simple, cost-effective method could greatly improve surgical outcomes for small dogs. However, the study had some limitations, including non-standardized anesthesia protocols and the single-institution setting. Tune in to learn more about this promising method for better hypothermia prevention in veterinary medicine.

The VetEmCrit Academy built for ER vets who want to grow, level up, and learn together: The VetEmCrit Academy Membership - https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join In this episode, we delve into the rare condition of gastrointestinal pneumatosis in dogs and cats. Learn about the causes, medical and surgical treatment options, and prognosis based on the latest research, including a recent retrospective case series involving 26 dogs and 4 cats (Jones et al. JVECC 2024). We explore different types of pneumatosis based on location—stomach, intestines, and colon—and discuss key findings such as survival rates and associated conditions. Get valuable insights into diagnosing and managing this challenging condition.

The VetEmCrit Academy Membership - https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join In this episode, we delve into the complex case of Boris, a six-month-old kitten with a traumatic brain injury after being kicked by a goat. Boris faced multiple challenges, including hypernatremia (elevated sodium concentration) and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). We discuss Boris's initial presentation, diagnostic journey, and the multifaceted approach used in his treatment. The mechanisms behind hypernatremia, the impact of post-traumatic central diabetes insipidus (CDI), and hyperglycemia on TBI patients are also explored. Tune in to learn about the resilience and recovery of this brave kitten and get insights on best practices for managing similar cases in veterinary medicine.  

The VetEmCrit Academy Membership - https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains one of the most common and clinically significant cardiac diseases in dogs—and one that can make anesthetic planning feel risky. But how dangerous is anesthesia in these patients really? In this episode of The VetEmCrit Podcast, we review the largest retrospective study to date examining anesthetic management and complications in dogs with a DCM phenotype. You’ll learn what the data actually show about anesthetic risk, arrhythmia frequency, and how outcomes compare to control dogs without DCM. Further Learning: Free CE: IV Potassium Supplementation Free Acid-Base Workshop Clinical Tools & Protocols Electrolyte & Acid-Base Mastery Course

https://academy.vetemcrit.com/join Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can apply right away in practice. Each episode is the audio companion to our YouTube videos, created so you can keep learning emergency and critical care medicine wherever you are — in the car, between cases, or on your way home from the ER. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of VetEmCrit.com. In this episode, we explore one of the most common — and misunderstood — surgical emergencies in small animal practice: urinary tract rupture. Does every tear really need surgery? Or can some of these cases safely heal on their own with careful drainage and monitoring? We’ll unpack the latest evidence on conservative, non-surgical management of urinary tract tears in dogs and cats, including insights from the 2025 RVC study and earlier work by Hornsey and Grimes. You’ll learn: Which cases may actually be better suited for non-surgical management A step-by-step clinical algorithm to guide your decision-making How to choose between a urinary catheter, cystostomy tube, or peritoneal drain The most important complications to watch for — like infection and urethral stricture — and how to detect them early Whether you’re managing iatrogenic bladder tears, urethral trauma, or uncertain leak locations, this episode will help you make more confident, physiology-based decisions that prioritize patient outcomes over reflex surgery. Free resources to help you level up: Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop Free Emergency Tools, Protocols, and Articles Online Courses on Electrolyte & Acid-Base Disorders Free RACE-Approved CE on IV Potassium Supplementation

Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can use right away in practice. Each episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast is the audio version of our YouTube videos, created so you can learn emergency and critical care on the go. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of vetemcrit.com. In this episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast, we explore why definitions of acute liver failure differ between human and veterinary medicine, and how that shapes diagnosis and treatment. We’ll tackle controversial topics like whether encephalopathy should be required for diagnosis, when it’s actually safe to biopsy a coagulopathic patient, and what to do when viscoelastic testing and INR tell different stories. We’ll also look at emerging—and often overlooked—causes, including pregnancy-associated liver failure and copper storage disease. Can lessons from human medicine, like transjugular biopsy and targeted transfusion strategies, really apply to our patients? Join us as we unpack the data, the guidelines, and the gray zones that matter most for ER vets managing acute liver failure at the cage-side. Free resources to help you level up: Youtube channel Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop Free veterinary emergency tools, protocols, and articles Online courses on acid-base and electrolyte disorders Free RACE-approved CE on IV potassium supplementation

Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can use right away in practice. Each episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast is the audio version of our YouTube videos, created so you can learn emergency and critical care on the go. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of vetemcrit.com. A recent study on hyperkalemia in blocked cats makes a bold claim: adjunct therapies like insulin-dextrose, sodium bicarbonate, and terbutaline offer no added benefit over fluids and calcium. But when you look closer, the story isn’t so simple. In this episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast, we break down the study design, results, and limitations, and explore what this evidence means for real-world emergency care. Do adjunctive therapies truly add value, or are fluids and calcium enough? And how should ER vets apply these findings at the cage-side while caring for unstable patients? Tune in to hear the data, the context, and the unanswered questions that matter for your clinical decision-making. Free resources to help you level up: Youtube channel Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop Free veterinary emergency tools, protocols, and articles Online courses on acid-base and electrolyte disorders Free RACE-approved CE on IV potassium supplementation

Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can use right away in practice. Each episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast is the audio version of our YouTube videos, created so you can learn emergency and critical care on the go. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of vetemcrit.com. In this episode, we highlight the top reasons venous blood gas (VBG) analysis is invaluable in small animal emergency care. You’ll learn what Kussmaul breathing has to do with venous blood gas interpretation, why osteopenia, pathologic fractures, or nephrocalcinosis can be key indications to run a VBG, and when the predictable relationship between venous, arterial, and end-tidal CO₂ breaks—and why you need to recognize it. We’ll also cover how VBG can guide management in refractory vasodilatory shock, whether there’s value in running VBG during CPR, and when to check for acid-base derangements in cases of potassium disorders or acute vomiting. Finally, we’ll discuss why you can’t rule out DKA based on pH and bicarbonate alone. These scenarios come up more often than you’d think, and knowing when and how to use a venous blood gas can make all the difference in ER outcomes. Free resources to help you level up: Youtube channel Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop Free veterinary emergency tools, protocols, and articles Online courses on acid-base and electrolyte disorders Free RACE-approved CE on IV potassium supplementation

Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can use right away in practice. Each episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast is the audio version of our YouTube videos, created so you can learn emergency and critical care on the go. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of vetemcrit.com. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin K are often part of our go-to protocol when treating dogs and cats with acute liver failure. But… should they be? In this VetEmCrit podcast episode, we dive deep into their use—what’s evidence-based, what’s extrapolated, and where controversy still lingers. You’ll learn: Why NAC is more than just an acetaminophen antidote What human trials and 2023 guidelines say about NAC in non-acetaminophen ALF How human and veterinary NAC dosing protocols compare—and where we may be underdosing cats - When vitamin K helps… and when it’s unlikely to make a difference... Clinical takeaways for emergency vets—based on science, not just habit Whether you're treating a dog with xylitol toxicity, a cat with hepatic lipidosis, or a case of unknown origin, this video will help sharpen your approach to acute liver failure management. Free resources to help you level up: Youtube channel Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop Free veterinary emergency tools, protocols, and articles Online courses on acid-base and electrolyte disorders Free RACE-approved CE on IV potassium supplementation