Veterinary Intensive Care Unit | Vet in Swansea | Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services

Advanced Monitoring

The ICU of BSVESS is equipped with monitoring and supportive technology, including:

Digitally controlled intravenous fluid pumps
EKG continuous monitoring
Blood pressure monitors
Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen levels
24-hour access to rapid diagnostic testing through our in-house laboratory
24-hour access to diagnostic imaging (X-rays and ultrasound)
Oxygen Therapy
- Oxygen cages
- Nasal oxygen therapy
In-house blood bank (see information below)

Next-Level Nursing

The caring staff of BSVESS is the most valuable part of our intensive care unit. Specially trained in advanced therapeutics and critical patient monitoring, our veterinary technicians have the skills that allow them to administer life-supporting treatments to patients. They continually provide for patient comfort and give tender loving care to each pet.

Our veterinary technicians alert the doctors of any problems that may develop and monitor for signs of discomfort that would warrant an adjustment to the patient’s pain management protocol. They remain with the patients 24 hours a day and provide support to families worried about their ailing pets through phone updates and during patient visits.

Next-Level Nursing

The caring staff of BSVESS is the most valuable part of our intensive care unit. Specially trained in advanced therapeutics and critical patient monitoring, our veterinary technicians have the skills that allow them to administer life-supporting treatments to patients. They continually provide for patient comfort and give tender loving care to each pet.

Our veterinary technicians alert the doctors of any problems that may develop and monitor for signs of discomfort that would warrant an adjustment to the patient’s pain management protocol. They remain with the patients 24 hours a day and provide support to families worried about their ailing pets through phone updates and during patient visits.

The Blood Bank

Similar to human hospitals, a veterinary emergency hospital has a constant need for blood products for the treatment of life-threatening blood loss or anemia in animals. The need for blood products is sporadic and unpredictable, and because dogs can only receive dog blood, and cats can only receive cat blood, being prepared for a blood loss emergency can be challenging. At BSVESS, we maintain a supply of canine and feline blood products. When necessary, we have access to a larger supply at our sister hospital, OSVS, where there is an active blood donation center for dogs. We also keep two very spoiled cats on premises as blood donors.

Some of the most common reasons a dog requires a red blood cell transfusion include:

Ruptured abdominal tumor
Trauma with blood loss
Blood loss due to cancer
Immune-mediated diseases
Bone marrow diseases

Pets can also require plasma for reasons including:

Coagulopathies (bleeding disorders) due to rat poison ingestion
Liver failure
Inflammatory bowel disease
Kidney disease
Hemophilias

Dog owners interested in participating in the blood donation process can do so through our sister hospital, Ocean State Veterinary Specialists. More information can be found in our blood bank brochure or by contacting Katti Teixeira at kteixeira@osvs.net.

The Blood Bank

Similar to human hospitals, a veterinary emergency hospital has a constant need for blood products for the treatment of life-threatening blood loss or anemia in animals. The need for blood products is sporadic and unpredictable, and because dogs can only receive dog blood, and cats can only receive cat blood, being prepared for a blood loss emergency can be challenging. At BSVESS, we maintain a supply of canine and feline blood products. When necessary, we have access to a larger supply at our sister hospital, OSVS, where there is an active blood donation center for dogs. We also keep two very spoiled cats on premises as blood donors.

Some of the most common reasons a dog requires a red blood cell transfusion include:

Ruptured abdominal tumor
Trauma with blood loss
Blood loss due to cancer
Immune-mediated diseases
Bone marrow diseases

Pets can also require plasma for reasons including:

Coagulopathies (bleeding disorders) due to rat poison ingestion
Liver failure
Inflammatory bowel disease
Kidney disease
Hemophilias

Dog owners interested in participating in the blood donation process can do so through our sister hospital, Ocean State Veterinary Specialists. More information can be found in our blood bank brochure or by contacting Katti Teixeira at kteixeira@osvs.net.