Critical Care Veterinarian

23/06/2025

I can’t stop thinking about this.

I need to order a passport card… not for travel, but because I need something I can carry to prove my citizenship.

Because I’m Latina. PROUDLY LATINA.

Because of how I look. Because that’s what this country feels like right now.

I’ve spent 5 years doing DEI work, speaking, teaching, building spaces where people can feel seen and be heard. This is not easy work… you face the worst of what humanity can do while trying vehemently to remain hopeful that we can still change the world and make it more equitable and fair. I’m usually pretty resilient in this work… but this week, I’m not ok.

I’m seeing Latinx families ripped apart. Children screaming for their parents being ripped away from them. People being profiled, detained, disappeared. Here. In the USA, land of the “free”. This is happening.

And now there’s war on the horizon, after the U.S. attacked Iran. More fear. More violence.

How do I explain this to my kids? How do I tell them this is the country they’re growing up in? That their mom, a doctor, an immigrant, a citizen, feels the need to carry papers to prove she belongs. How do I watch them sleep and not look up how many miles away from NYC are we in case of an attack? How do I control the rage I feel that my children are now in even hypothetical danger because of our president wants to be a dictator. How can anyone watch these videos and not breakdown is beyond me?

The anger sits in my chest. The heartbreak doesn’t fade.

But here’s the thing: I will never stop fighting. For my children. For your children. For all of us.

And for anyone reading this: if you voted for Trump, it is okay to change your mind now. In fact, it is necessary. None of this is normal. None of this is acceptable.

This is a human rights crisis. And it demands all of us. Speak up. Show up. Vote. Refuse to look away.

Because if our kids are watching, and they are, I want them to see that we stood up. That we never stopped. That we believed in something better, and fought for it with everything we had.

ImOnAListForSure

16/06/2025

🚨Raw, Uncooked, Freeze-Dried, “Natural” — BEWARE THE RISKS!

Lately, I’ve been seeing a huge increase in pets come into the ER in critical condition. Fevers above 105°F, signs of sepsis, and in some cases, confirmed infections that trace back to one common source: RAW DIETS AND TREATS

Whether it’s labeled as “raw,” “freeze-dried,” “unpasteurized,” or “minimally processed,” the risk is the same. These diets can harbor bacteria (like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria), parasites, and even highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu).

These pathogens don’t just make pets sick. They can be zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans too, especially kids, elders, and immunocompromised family members.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s what I’m seeing on the ER floor, from a couple cases a month to several per week now. Why is there an increase and severity of cases?

🚨 Federal food safety protections are getting weaker.

Recent cuts to USDA and FDA funding have led to fewer inspections, slower outbreak detection, and less testing of pet foods. That means contaminated products are more likely to slip through the cracks—especially raw and minimally processed diets.

📣Marketing Tricks That Rebrand “Raw

Pet food companies often avoid the word “raw” entirely, instead using buzzwords like: Freeze-dried, dehydrated, air-dried, uncooked, minimally processed, ancestral, paleo-inspired, whole prey model, natural, clean, human-grade, farm fresh, instinctual feeding, raw-inspired, wilderness blend, wild-fed, etc.

I’ve recently treated a dog that developed pericardial effusion, joint effusion , diarrhea that spent many days in hospital recovering from a custom raw diet from Oregon, I euthanized a neurologic 2 year old cat that we suspect had bird flu that was eating Target’s Kindful freeze-dried treats and we are still waiting on their internal investigation, almost EVERY severe AHDS case I’ve seen lately that is sicker than usual, in septic shock and requering much more intensive treatment, broad spectrum antibiotics, dewormers and longer hospitalizations.

The THEORETICAL, unproven benefits of raw diets do not outweigh the MASSIVE RISKS when they do occur.

09/06/2025

🧠 Co***ne + Dogs = Neurologic Emergency 🚨🐶
It happens more than you’d think. Dogs can be exposed to co***ne through ingestion (yes, even trace amounts left on surfaces or bags), inhalation, or even skin contact.

💥 What you might see:
• Sudden hyperactivity, panting, pacing
• Tremors or seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Tachycardia + hypertension
• Hyperthermia
• Agitation or collapse

This is a true neurologic emergency. Even small doses can be fatal. Co***ne is rapidly absorbed and crosses the blood-brain barrier fast—meaning symptoms escalate in minutes.

🧪 There’s no antidote. Treatment is supportive: seizure control (benzodiazepines, sometimes barbiturates), managing cardiac signs, IV fluids, and sometimes intralipid therapy if ingestion was recent. Activated charcoal may help if caught early.

❗️Important: Urine drug tests designed for humans may sometimes pick it up, but they’re not validated in dogs. Always treat based on clinical signs and suspicion.

🐾 If a dog in your ER has sudden-onset neurologic signs and the story doesn’t add up? Add co***ne (and other street drugs) to your differential.

📍Be ready. Be kind. Don’t judge. Owners may not always be honest at first—but honesty saves lives.

PS: This patient also tested positive for benzodiazepines since we gave him midazolam for seizures.

***netoxicosis

04/06/2025

🦔 Porcupine Quill Injuries in Dogs
That cute face full of quills? It’s more serious than it looks. Here’s why. 👇

💥 Porcupine Quills Aren’t Harmless
Quills have microscopic barbs that make them hard to remove and prone to migrating deeper into tissue. If not addressed promptly, they can:

⚠️ Enter joints, thorax, pericardium, spine, eyes, or abdomen.
⚠️ Damage internal organs.
⚠️ Cause abscesses or chronic draining tracts.

🕐 Studies show that quills left untreated for >24 hours significantly increase the risk of abscess formation. Early removal is critical!

🦠 Do They Need Antibiotics?
In most cases—yes. Especially if:
• There’s a delay in treatment
• There’s oral, deep tissue, or joint involvement
• You see signs of swelling, fever, or systemic illness

💊 Empirical antibiotic options include:
• Amoxicillin-clavulanate (13.75 mg/kg PO BID)
• Clindamycin (11 mg/kg PO BID) + Enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg PO SID) for anaerobic + Gram-negative coverage

🔍 Be aware of migration risks
Even after initial removal, quills may migrate days to weeks later into other organs. Recurring swelling or fever post-removal? Suspect retained or migrating quills. Imaging (ultrasound or CT) may be necessary.

🛑 Never cut or yank quills without proper restraint and visibility. Deep sedation or general anaesthesia is needed to remove quills completely and safely.

🐾 Prevention tip: Keep pups leashed during porcupine hours (dawn/dusk), especially in endemic areas during spring and fall.

Have you taken out quills? Do you hate it as much as I do?

21/05/2025

That swollen face, the drooling, the refusal to eat—it’s not just a bad day, it’s often a dental abscess or severe periodontal disease causing intense pain.

Yes, in the ER we often reach for pain meds and antibiotics…

But here’s the truth: antibiotics alone won’t fix it. They may reduce swelling temporarily from periodontal infection, but the SOURCE of infection remains until the diseased tooth is properly treated or removed under anesthesia, because antibiotics will not be able to reach deep beneath all the tartar. We often start these treatments to provide relief UNTIL they can have a dental.

And here’s another myth we need to bust:

Heart disease does NOT mean anesthesia is off the table.

Many patients with cardiac conditions can safely undergo anesthesia (even some advanced cardiac patients sometimes!!) especially at specialty facilities with a board-certified anesthesiologist and dentists. An evaluation with a veterinary cardiologist can help optimize the plan and reduce risk.

No pet should have to live with chronic, debilitating pain due to fear of anesthesia. Let’s prioritize quality of life, not just disease management.

If your dog has:
• Facial swelling
• Pain when eating or chewing
• A broken, discolored, or loose tooth
• Bad breath with signs of systemic illness

…they need more than just meds. They need definitive care—and with the right team, it’s possible and safe.

Pain is an emergency. Don’t wait.

(If you can smell this through the screen… you know exactly what I’m talking about! This 🦷 just fell out with minimal manipulation, and pus poured out after it… all withOUT any general anesthesia, just some topical lidocaine during our exam)

05/05/2025

🚨 Applications Now Open! 🚨
IVECCS Change Agent Scholarship
🌍 Deadline to apply: May 15th 🌍

Are you a veterinary student, tech student, or recent grad who’s passionate about inclusion, community, and Emergency & Critical Care? This is your chance to attend IVECCS—one of the premier conferences in veterinary ECC—for free 🎓🩺

VECCS, ACVECC, and ACVECCTN are proud to support future change-makers by offering the IVECCS Change Agent Scholarship. Whether you’re a member of an underrepresented community or an active ally, we want to hear your story.

💥 Who can apply?
✅ Veterinary students
✅ Veterinary technician students in accredited programs
✅ Veterinary technicians who graduated within the past year

💥 What’s included?
🎟️ Free IVECCS registration
✈️ $1,000 toward travel + lodging
🙌 Volunteer opportunities at IVECCS
📚 Amazing CE and networking

We’re looking for those making a difference—through mentorship, advocacy, community service, research, education, or clinical care to underserved populations.

📬 Apply today and be a part of shaping a more inclusive future in veterinary medicine!

🔗 https://iveccs.org/scholarships-grants/

31/03/2025

Vet Vacation CE is partnering with to give you a chance to hear Dr. Mariana Pardo speak at our Emergency and Critical Care Conference May 15-17. We are happy to offer a free virtual registration to one lucky winner!

To enter the giveaway visit our website at www.vetvacationce.com, join our email list at the bottom of the homepage and comment “done” below.

The promotion ends 4/20 so be sure to register before then and stay tuned for us to announce our winner!

21/03/2025

Let’s talk about AI hallucinations.

Recently, a Google AI-generated summary falsely stated that I was involved in a lawsuit against Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) — the company I currently work for and fully support. The same summary also incorrectly linked VEG to another, unrelated case involving a different hospital. None of these claims are true.

This is a clear example of how AI can hallucinate — meaning it can generate convincing but completely inaccurate information. These summaries are not reviewed by humans before they appear in search results, and unfortunately, misinformation like this can spread quickly.

I want to be absolutely clear:
I am PROUD to work at VEG. I am not suing VEG. VEG is not involved in any legal matters related to me.

I’ve already contacted Google to request corrections, and I appreciate the support of colleagues who know the truth and have stood by me. If you ever see something questionable online — even from what seems like a reliable source — please double-check before drawing conclusions.

Thank you to my community for always seeking truth and supporting transparency.

20/03/2025

Brachycephalic breeds, especially Bulldogs, are prone to sliding hiatal hernias, where part of the stomach intermittently slips into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus. This condition can contribute to regurgitation, esophagitis, and even aspiration pneumonia.

🔬 Why Bulldogs?
✅ Increased negative intrathoracic pressure due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
✅ Congenital esophageal motility dysfunction
✅ Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

📍 Clinical Signs:
⚠️ Intermittent regurgitation, especially after meals
⚠️ Excessive salivation
⚠️ Respiratory signs (coughing, aspiration pneumonia)
⚠️ Poor weight gain or food avoidance

🛠️ Diagnosis:
🔍 Thoracic radiographs
✅ Soft tissue opacity in the caudodorsal thorax (variable size and position)
✅ Widening of the esophageal hiatus
✅ Air or fluid-filled structure adjacent to the caudal esophagus
✅ Concurrent aspiration pneumonia (alveolar/interstitial pattern, cranioventral distribution)

🔍 Fluoroscopy with barium swallow 📸
✅ Intermittent gastric herniation into the thorax
✅ Esophageal dysmotility and reflux

🔍 Endoscopy
✅ Visualization of hiatal widening, esophagitis, and potential reflux esophagopathy

💊 Treatment Options:
🔹 Medical management for mild cases:
✔️ Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole)
✔️ Prokinetics (cisapride, metoclopramide)
✔️ Low-fat, small meals
✔️ Elevated feeding

🔹 Surgical correction for severe or refractory cases:
✂️ Hiatal plication
✂️ Esophagopexy
✂️ Gastropexy

This bulldog came in for respiratory distress due to congestive heart failure and we found an incidental sliding hiatal hernia! It definitely did not help his breathing!

👩‍⚕️ Have you diagnosed hiatal hernias in Bulldogs? What imaging findings have you seen? Drop your experiences below! ⬇️

14/02/2025

Ever feel like you’re failing because you missed something on a case? You’re not alone. Many incredible doctors struggle with this feeling—but let’s reframe it.

Perfection Is Impossible, Growth Is Essential. Medicine is complex, and even the best doctors will miss things. What separates great doctors from mediocre ones is not the absence of errors but how they respond to them. A doctor who learns from every case, seeks feedback, and continually refines their skills is invaluable.

Cognitive Bias and Hindsight. It’s easy to look back and think, I should have caught that. But in real-time, with limited information, decisions are made based on the best available data. Hindsight bias makes it seem obvious after the fact, but that doesn’t mean the initial judgment was poor.

Missed Diagnoses Happen to Everyone. Every doctor—no matter how experienced—has had cases where they wish they had caught something sooner. The key is pattern recognition, experience, and a willingness to adjust. Some cases just don’t present typically, and no one catches everything 100% of the time.

Embrace a Growth Mindset. Feeling like a bad doctor after missing something is often a sign of imposter syndrome, which affects many high-achieving professionals. Instead of saying, I missed this, I must be bad at my job, reframe it as, I missed this, but I’ve learned from it and will be even better next time.

Feedback and Learning Make a Great Doctor. The fact that you actively seek feedback, want to improve, and genuinely care about your patients means you are already well ahead of many. A “bad” doctor is one who refuses to grow, not one who recognizes opportunities to improve.

Compassion for Yourself Is as Important as Compassion for Your Patients. You extend grace to your patients when things don’t go as planned, but do you give yourself the same kindness? If a colleague made this mistake, would you call them a bad doctor? If not, why be so hard on yourself?

You are NOT a bad doctor. You are a doctor who cares, who learns, and who improves. And that is exactly the kind of doctor the world needs.

Share a time that you felt you failed a patient and how did you recover.

26/01/2025

The recent mandate to shut down Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear is a stark reminder that progress is rarely a straight path. DEI work has always faced seasons of resistance, and this is yet another moment in history that highlights both the challenges and the necessity of what we do. Resistance to equity only affirms the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard.

To our followers and members, we want to reassure you that the joint ACVECC/VECCS DEI Committee remains unwavering in our commitment to fostering inclusivity within the veterinary profession. We will continue to be a safe haven, a source of education, and a community of support for all who need it. The mandate does not dictate our mission; it galvanizes it.

History has shown us that progress, though not always linear, is inevitable when passionate individuals come together with purpose. Our work matters now more than ever—not just to uphold the values of equity and diversity but to ensure that every veterinary professional, regardless of their background, has a voice and a place in this field.

We ask you to stand with us, to keep striving, learning, and advocating. Together, we will rise through these challenges, as we have before, and emerge stronger for it. This is not the end of our work—it is a call to action. Let’s answer it.

In solidarity,
The ACVECC/VECCS DEI Committee

23/01/2025

🌍✨ Exciting News! GIVE (Global Instruction for Veterinary Instruction) is heading to Manila, Philippines in March 2025! ✨🐾

We are thrilled to announce that from March 24-27, 2025, GIVE will be on our inaugural mission in Manila, providing specialized dermatology and emergency & critical care to underserved communities. 🙌

This trip marks the beginning of our journey to bring high-quality veterinary care where it's most needed. We’ll be empowering local veterinarians with advanced training and offering much-needed medical assistance to pets in the community. 🐶🐱

But we need your help to make this mission possible! 🌟
We are currently seeking donations to support our trip, covering travel expenses, training materials, and the resources necessary to make a lasting impact. Every contribution—big or small—will help us bring this mission to life and make a difference for both animals and veterinarians in Manila. 💙

If you're passionate about animal welfare and want to be a part of this incredible journey, please consider donating. Together, we can help create a brighter future for animals everywhere!

Donate today through the link below!
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. 🙏

www.GIVE.vet



https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/give-is-heading-to-manila

Discover Global Instruction for Veterinary Empowerment (GIVE) , a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing global veterinary care.