VRCC - Veterinary Referral & Critical Care

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Sandy Hook, VA
VRCC - Veterinary Referral & Critical Care

Emergency and specialty veterinary care in Richmond's West End.
(377)

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.

07/14/2025

Caption this photo!

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

07/11/2025

This handsome boy is Linus!

Linus is a 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd who underwent a TPLO surgery on his right leg back in May with Dr. Aman. His mom noticed that he was limping a little during agility work prompting a visit to VRCC.

After resting up for several weeks following the surgery, Linus has started working with Karen and the rehabilitation team so that he can get back to doing the things he loves!

He's receiving laser therapy to help with inflammation and healing and is going for walks in the underwater treadmill to strengthen the leg and increase mobility.

We hope this sweet boy is as good as new in no time!

07/10/2025

Happy National Kitten Day! 🐱

Post a photo of your kitten, or of your cats when they were wee kittens in the comments below!

07/09/2025

Meet Vanda, a 2-year-old Maine C**n who visited VRCC through our Emergency service after her mom noticed she was vomiting, and unusually nice. For this typically independent girl, that was a red flag.

During her physical exam, Dr. Naff found Vanda’s abdomen was tense and painful. X-rays revealed abnormal gas patterns, but no obvious foreign object. Bloodwork showed she had abnormal clotting times, which were later diagnosed as Factor IX deficiency, a rare clotting disorder. This condition makes it harder for the blood to clot properly, increasing the risk of serious bleeding during surgery.

Dr. Fallin in Internal Medicine then performed an abdominal ultrasound, which confirmed intussusception, a condition where one part of the intestine slides into another, like a telescope folding in. This can cause obstruction, pain, and decreased blood flow to the intestines. Dr. Fallin recommended that Vanda undergo surgery.

Before proceeding to surgery, Vanda received a fresh frozen plasma transfusion to help stabilize her clotting ability and reduce surgical risks.

Vanda was transferred to Dr. Trevor in Surgery, who performed a resection and anastomosis, removing the affected part of her intestine and reconnecting the healthy ends to restore normal function.

Thanks to teamwork across departments, Vanda’s surgery went well and she’s now home recovering. We’re hopeful she’ll be back to her sassy self soon!

07/08/2025

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

07/05/2025

It's that time again!

We are in need of funny pet photos to post for our weekly caption contest. 🐶🐱

Please drop them in the comments below for a chance to be featured!

07/04/2025

We hope everyone has a fun and SAFE 4th of July! 🌭🇺🇸

This is a reminder that we are OPEN today for emergencies. We hope you won't need us, but we'll be here if you do!

07/02/2025

Meet Finley! 😍

Finley is a sweet 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was referred to Dr. Aman in Surgery for bilateral medial patella luxations (MPL), a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of place.

During Finley’s orthopedic exam, Dr. Aman found that his left leg was more affected than the right, and recommended surgery to correct it. The procedure went smoothly, and Finley was able to go home to recover. His family is also keeping an eye on his right leg for any signs of progression.

Signs of medial patella luxation can include:

- Intermittent skipping or limping on a back leg
- Difficulty rising, running, or jumping
- Lameness that comes and goes

MPL is especially common in small-breed dogs, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Yorkies, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas. It can be mild and manageable in some dogs, while others may need surgery to restore comfort and function.

We’re so happy that Finley is feeling better and wish him well on his continued recovery!

06/26/2025

This handsome beagle is Todd!

Todd is a 6-year-old dog who was referred to Dr. Clarke in Neurology for severe neck pain. About a year ago, Todd had a similar episode that improved with rest and medication. But last month, the pain returned.

He was started on conservative care which helped intitially, but he did not return to normal. Then, Todd suddenly woke up one morning crying out in pain. That’s when he came to see Dr. Clarke at VRCC who recommended an MRI.

The MRI revealed a ruptured disc in his neck. Dr. Clarke then performed a ventral slot procedure to remove the disc material and relieve pressure on Todd’s spinal cord.

We’re happy to report that Todd’s surgery went smoothly and he was able to go home to begin his recovery. He returned this week for a recheck and is looking great! He’s now off his pain medications, though he’ll still need a couple more weeks of rest before easing back into his usual beagle business.

We wish Todd all of the best in his continued recovery!

Address

Sandy Hook, VA

Telephone

(804) 784-8722

Website

http://www.vrccvet.com/

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