VRCC - Veterinary Referral & Critical Care

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VRCC - Veterinary Referral & Critical Care

Emergency and specialty veterinary care in Richmond's West End.
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If your pet has a chronic disease or life threatening injury, you can turn to a VRCC specialist who spends every day diagnosing and treating animals with your pet's specific illness. Our veterinary experts and advanced technology give your pet the best chance of a happy, healthy recovery.

04/09/2025

Meet Pepper 🐾

Pepper is a 4-year-old Chihuahua mix who was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy by our Neurologist, Dr. Clarke, back in March. Pepper had been seizure-free for the last two months, until this week, when he experienced breakthrough seizures and came to see Dr. Olson in our Emergency department.

Pepper’s seizures typically last 10–15 seconds, but they often come in clusters, which can be harder to control with medication. Dr. Olson hospitalized Pepper to monitor him closely and give rescue medications as needed. She also consulted with Dr. Clarke to adjust Pepper’s medication plan to better manage his seizures moving forward.

After 24 hours with no seizure activity, Pepper was able to head home to his family We’re so glad this brave little guy is feeling better!

03/09/2025

It would be nice if our pets could simply tell us with words when they are in pain. It would make things so much easier, especially since some pets can be REALLY good at hiding it.

There are signs that you can watch out for to tell if your pet is experiencing pain. Some are more subtle than others. As September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we are sharing 5 Common Signs of Pain in Pets.

🚨Behavioral changes - Is your pet normally a social butterfly, and they are now hiding under the couch? Or maybe they are acting aggressively when approached. This could be a sign that they are experiencing pain.

🚨Changes in appetite - Maybe your pet is normally ravenous and will eat anything you put in front of them, and now they are leaving food behind or aren't interested in it at all.

🚨Changes in activity - For dogs, maybe they aren't as excited to go on walks, or they drag behind. For cats, this might look like a reluctance to jump on things. They could also be slow getting up from a lying position.

🚨Vocalizing - Dogs will often whine when they are in pain or growl when touched or approached. Cats might meow a lot more than normal or hiss when touched or approached.

🚨Changes in posture - Pets in pain might seem stiff when walking or have a hunched appearance.

If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it is a good idea to give your vet a call. With any sort of pain, it is important to get to the root of the problem since treatment could be vastly different depending on the cause.

These signs could also point to something other than pain, which is another reason it's a good idea to give your vet a call about any odd behavioral changes you note in your pet.

02/09/2025

Here is the winner of this week's caption contest! Check back next week for another photo to caption.

01/09/2025

Caption this photo!

Write your caption in the comments below and like your favorite. The comment with the most likes by 4pm tomorrow wins!

28/08/2025

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. 🌈

Our pets are only with us in this world for a short amount of time, but they stay with us forever in our memories.

Please take a moment, if you can, to share a fond memory or a photo of a pet that has crossed the rainbow bridge in the comments.

27/08/2025

Meet Pique, a sweet 9-year-old Frenchie who recently came to see our neurologist, Dr. Clarke.

Back in December, Pique’s family noticed that he seemed a little weak in his hind legs, and he had some muscle wasting. With physical therapy, he made some improvements, but more recently, he began knuckling on his right hind foot.

To get a clearer picture of what was going on, Dr. Clarke recommended an MRI. The scan revealed that Pique has an arachnoid diverticulum, a fluid-filled sac pressing on the spinal cord. This condition can cause weakness, loss of coordination, or other neurologic changes.

Since Pique had a difficult recovery during a previous surgery due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), and because this condition can sometimes progress very slowly, Dr. Clarke recommended a conservative approach for now. Pique will continue with careful monitoring and physical therapy.

If his symptoms begin to progress more quickly, then surgery may be considered. For the time being, he will keep working hard in physical therapy to stay strong for as long as possible.

We’re wishing Pique all the best as he continues his journey!

22/08/2025

***Some photos may be graphic, so look at your own risk***

Meet Hugo!

Hugo is an 8-year-old lab who came to see Dr. Abernathy on Emergency after his pet sitter noticed he wasn’t putting weight on his right front paw. His primary care veterinarian hospitalized him before transferring him to VRCC for further care.

Upon evaluation, Hugo was found to have an abscess across his shoulder and side, possibly from a spider bite. The emergency team clipped and cleaned the wound and placed a drain to help it heal.

Hugo later returned to see Dr. Aman in Surgery for ongoing wound management. Dr. Aman first removed the damaged skin and fat so that healthy tissue could grow. She also placed Velcro squares with straps that could be fastened to relieve tension on the incision and support proper healing. A few days later, she performed another procedure to further clean the wound and place a closed suction drain.

Over the following weeks, Hugo’s wound healed beautifully, as you can see in the final photo.

We're so happy that this boy did well and wish him all the best!

21/08/2025

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Boston Terriers are prone to BOAS, a condition caused by their shortened skull shape. While their squishy faces are cute, they can make it harder for them to breathe.

Signs to Watch For:
- Loud snoring or snorting (even when awake)
- Difficulty exercising or tiring quickly
- Open-mouth breathing at rest
- Gagging, choking, or vomiting after activity
- Trouble cooling down in hot weather
- Cyanosis (blue or purple gums due to lack of oxygen)

Pets with BOAS are at higher risk for breathing emergencies, heat stroke, and a reduced quality of life that can shorten their lifespan. Because their airways are already narrowed, brachycephalic pets also face greater risks during anesthesia and surgery than other breeds. Intubation can be more difficult, and recovery requires closer monitoring to ensure they can breathe safely.

If you own or are thinking about getting a breed that suffers from this condition, it is important to understand the unique health challenges they may face. Dogs prone to BOAS often need extra care, from keeping them cool in warm weather to limiting strenuous exercise.

The good news is that help is available. Our surgical team performs corrective procedures to improve airflow and quality of life for pets affected by BOAS. If you think your pet may be struggling with this condition, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian to discuss whether surgery is the right option and ask for a referral to see one of our specialists.

18/08/2025

Caption this photo!

Write your caption in the comments below and like your favorite. The comment with the most likes by 4pm tomorrow wins.

Address

1596 Hockett Road
VA
23103

Telephone

(804) 784-8722

Website

http://www.vrccvet.com/

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