Call (201) 262-0010 for Emergency Service

emergency-critical care at oradell animal hospital

We understand how upsetting it is having a sick or injured pet and not being able to get help quickly. Our emergency services are here for you 7 days a week; 24 hours a day. Staff veterinarians along with technical support staff are on premises at all times working as a team with skill and compassion to respond to emergency calls during the hours your veterinarian is unavailable. We will stabilize your pet, perform any necessary diagnostic tests and continue treatment as needed. Your pet will be in the best possible hands so you can have peace of mind.

Although an appointment is not needed, we ask that you telephone the hospital to alert us to your emergency so that we can prepare properly for your pet’s arrival.

Some examples of emergency situations may include but are not restricted to:

Trauma – car accidents, puncture wounds, eye trauma, bite wounds/animal fights, head injuries, airway obstruction, heatstroke, frostbite, trouble breathing, electric shock, snake bites, falling from high places

Toxins/Poisons – chocolate, mushrooms, onions, plants, household cleansers, pool chemicals, human medications, coins, bones, rat poison, anti-freeze

Disease/ Illness – profuse vomiting or diarrhea, vomiting blood or passing blood in stool or urine, seizures, listlessness, allergic reactions, inability/difficulty to urinate, refusal to eat, collapse, difficulty breathing

Emergency Surgery – cesarean section, tracheotomies, urinary obstruction, abdominal/chest exploratory surgery, endoscopies, chest tube placement, bloating

Your pet will be closely monitored as we provide the following advanced life support procedures as needed:

  1. Fluid therapy
  2. Oxygen therapy
  3. Pain management
  4. Blood Pressure monitoring
  5. Nutritional management
  6. Blood analysis and monitoring
  7. Cardiac resuscitation, defibrillation and post resuscitation care
  8. Continuous electrocardiogram
  9. Blood transfusions

What to expect when you come in for an emergency:

  • Call ahead if possible; our staff is on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a toxin; please bring us the container and/or a sample of the suspected toxin
  • Bring your pet’s medical records if available
  • At the hospital you will be greeted by a receptionist who will then have a trained technician evaluate your pet
  • If your pet needs to be admitted to the hospital the admitting doctor will discuss the projected diagnostics and/or therapeutic services and fees with you
  • Availability of board certified specialist for consultation when needed.

Hospitalization

Our staff doctors confer daily on all hospitalized cases, and your pet may be under the care of more than one doctor.

You may call the hospital after 10:00AM Monday through Saturday and after 1:00PM on Sunday to check on your pet’s progress. Although the doctor may be unable to receive a phone call at that time, a summary of your pet’s condition will be available from the telephone receptionist.

Before any patient is admitted to the hospital (unless it is an emergency situation), we ask that all vaccines be current and that the patient be free of ticks and fleas. If these requirements are not met, we must satisfy them at the owner’s expense. This is for the protection of your pet and hospitalized patients as well.

Visitation Policy: Although we realize you may be anxious to visit your pet while hospitalized, visitation is done on a case by case basis. Visitation may not be recommended in order to avoid anxiety caused expectations of going home. In some cases these visits can lead to psychological or emotional trauma in your pet.

In some instances the advantage of visitation outweighs the disadvantage and your veterinarian may permit you to visit your pet. These visits must be restricted to 10 minutes in length since we do not wish your pet’s treatment schedule to be interrupted or delayed by prolonged visitation.

Visiting hours that are pre-arranged by your pet’s doctor are as follows:
Monday – Friday
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm
9:15 pm – 9:45 pm
Visitation is not available on Saturday and Sunday unless special arrangements are made between you and your doctor.

Communication with Your Veterinarian

A brief report will be faxed to your veterinarian when your pet is seen for emergency care. Your veterinarian will be updated through progress reports during your pet’s hospital stay as well as a detailed summary report upon discharge.

Please follow up with your local veterinarian for continued care.

Our technologically advanced equipment and the highly developed skills of our staff serve us in diagnosing and caring for critical and challenging cases. We are prepared to assist your veterinarian in the treatment of your ill or injured pet at any time.

Emergency/Critical Care Doctors

Anne Brodsky, DVM

Dr. Brodsky is a graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She completed a year of internship training at Oradell Animal Hospital and is now a member of our Emergency/Critical Care team. Dr. Brodsky enjoys spending time with her son, her dog Morgan Merriweather and her cat Tigre. Her interests include running, hiking, traveling and reading.

Donna Bucciarelli, DVM

Dr. Bucciarelli is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital. She is most interested in emergency and critical care medicine and dentistry. Her interests include cooking, swimming, yoga and travel. Donna is a member of the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps (NJMRC). Donna volunteers her time and professional expertise to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.

Yonaira Cortes, DVM, Diplomate ACVECC

Dr. Cortes graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She then completed a three year residency in emergency and critical care medicine at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston before joining the emergency/critical care service at Oradell Animal Hospital. Dr. Cortes is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She has special interests in metabolic emergencies, trauma and pain management. When not at work or with family and friends, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga and spending time with her two cats, Gordon and Pablo, and her dog, Stitch.

Steven Berkowitz, DVM

Dr Berkowitz received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami, followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from St. Georges University, and completed his clinical training at University of Illinois in 2006. After veterinary school, Dr. Berkowitz completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery Internship at The Bergh Memorial Hospital of the ASPCA, wherein he was featured on several episodes of Animal Planet’s Animal Precinct. He then worked as an emergency doctor at Animal Emergency and Referral Associates in Fairfield, NJ for three years before joining Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers, NY. His interests include management of metabolic derangement, the treatment of endocrine diseases and trauma, and has a special interest in management of the septic patient.

Kristi Gannon, DVM, Diplomate, ACVECC (Emergency/Critical Care)

Dr. Gannon graduated from Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital. She completed a three year residency in emergency and critical care medicine at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. Dr. Gannon is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, and is the Director of Emergency/Critical Care Services at Oradell Animal Hospital. As Director she supervises the entire ECC team which is staffed by veterinarians and certified technicians with advanced training. They provide around the clock care for each patient and utilize a variety of advanced monitoring and diagnostic tools. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dr. Gannon also supervises the emergency and critical care residency program which requires 3 years of training and ensures eligibility for board certification. Dr. Gannon enjoys reading, traveling and playing with her dog Maya and cat Zoe.

Megan Julian, VMD

Dr. Julian is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital. Following her internship she joined our emergency/critical care team. Dr. Julian has a special interest in handling challenging endocrine and trauma emergencies.

Tanya Karlecke, DVM

Dr. Karlecke graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the staff of Oradell Animal Hospital with a special interest in emergency and critical care medicine but enjoys all aspects of veterinary care medicine. Dr. Karlecke enjoys hiking (with her dogs), reading, photography, and actively working with her registered pet therapy dog. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three dogs and four cats.

Andrea Brodeur, DVM

Dr. Brodeur received her DVM from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She then completed an internship at the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT. Her undergraduate degree is from Vassar College. She has a special interest in trauma and wound management. In her spare time she enjoys baking, music, and spending time with her cats Bonito and Westley.

Emily Cottam, DVM

Dr. Cottam graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Illinois. She then worked at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Boston for one year before joining Oradell Animal Hospital. In her spare time, Dr. Cottam reads, spends time with her two dogs Shelby and Crypto and is an avid college basketball fan.

Erica Swanke, DVM

Dr. Swanke graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon completing an internship at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University she joined the emergency/critical care team at Oradell Animal Hospital. Dr. Swanke enjoys reading and spending quality time with friends, family and her pets.

Carey Hemmelgarn, DVM

Dr. Hemmelgarn received her DVM from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ. Her undergraduate degree is from Utah State University. In her spare time she enjoys running, exercising and playing with her Rotweiler, Daisy and her cat, Griffin

KimMI Whitehead, VMD

Dr. Whitehead received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at the Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles. Her undergraduate degree was received from Wellesley College in Massachusettes. Dr. Whitehead has a special interest in emergency and critical care medicine. Dr. Whitehead resides in New Jersey with her fiance, her cat Sookie and her dog Penny Lane. She loves to travel, eat ethnic foods, play the cello and go camping in New Mexico.

More Information

First Aid Tips
Pet Safety Tips/Seasonal Tips
ASPCA.org