Emergency and Critical Care
The Emergency and Critical Care Service receives all emergency referrals, provides out of hours emergency cover for a number of surrounding practices and oversees the intensive care unit.
Current Studies
Investigation of Canine sepsis
Sepsis (systemic blood-stream infection) is a common cause of severe illness in dogs, as well as in people, and often proves fatal. One of the reasons sepsis is so serious is that it is associated with highly complex changes in the immune system. Much intense research in human medicine is directed towards understanding these changes further: We are currently studying the immune system in dogs with pneumonia and pyothorax, in order to understand this process, so we may be better able to treat dogs with these disorders in the future.
For referral information contact Queen Mother Hospital for Animals Reception on
01707 666399
Print out study information here.
![canine]](../images/ArtisticOscardogcanine_000.jpg)
Myocardial Dysfunction in Septic Dogs
At time of severe infections (sepsis) there is a release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that effect on the body’s cardiovascular system. In human medicine these effects have been shown to cause low blood pressure, impair cardiac function and have a negative impact on patient survival. In canine patients the cardiac response to severe infections is poorly understood.
We are undertaking an investigation to assess how our patient’s heart functions in response to severe infections. Identifying patients with subnormal cardiac function could lead to more accurate prognosis and targeting of specific cardiac therapy for these cases.
This will be measured by cardiac biomarkers (NT-ProBNP, Troponin) and echocardiogram.
All patients who are referred to the QMHA for investigation of severe infections will have very similar investigations performed, including blood tests, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography. For patients enrolled on this study we will store a small amount of residual (left over) blood, collected at the time of clinical blood tests. We will also conduct a repeat echocardiography, which could be of benefit to the management of their case.
We are undertaking an investigation to assess how our patient’s heart functions in response to severe infections.
Identifying patients with subnormal cardiac function could lead to more accurate prognosis and targeting of specific cardiac therapy for these cases.
This will be measured by cardiac biomarkers (NT-ProBNP, Troponin) and echocardiogram.
All patients who are referred to the QMHA for investigation of severe infections will have very similar investigations performed, including blood tests, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography. For patients enrolled on this study we will store a small amount of residual (left over) blood, collected at the time of clinical blood tests. We will also conduct a repeat echocardiography, which could be of benefit to the management of their case.
Pancreatitis.
Canine acute pancreatitis (CAP) is a common and well recognized disease in dogs. In human cases of acute pancreatitis, nutritional intervention is one of the few treatment modalities proven to have a beneficial effect on patient outcome. Of the nutrients investigated, glutamine holds the most promise and has been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease hospitalization time.
The aim of this double-blinded study will be to investigate and record whether the parental supplementation of glutamine will positively impact on case outcome as evidenced by a decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) and through enhanced clinical response.
Print out study information here.
Feline Anaemia
Anaemia (lack of red blood cells) is a relatively common condition in cats that may occur due to a variety of causes. This study aims to investigate the cardiac changes that occur in cats with anaemia, to determine whether anaemic cats are more likely to develop heart failure, and to try to establish whether any changes that occur are reversible if the anaemia is treated.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the cardiac changes that occur in cats with anaemia, to determine whether anaemic cats are more likely to develop heart failure, and to try to establish whether any changes that occur are reversible if the anaemia is treated.