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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:

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:

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:

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:

Free resources to help you level up: