Emergency & Critical Care Veterinarian
Dr. Reyes is an emergency and critical care veterinarian (DACVECC) with over 10 years of triage experience, specialising in first-aid education and time-sensitive emergency recognition for pet owners. Her guides provide direct, actionable guidance for recognising genuine emergencies and performing basic first aid, drawing on RECOVER resuscitation guidelines and ACVECC standards.
As Australia warms into spring, snake encounters and paralysis tick paralysis surge in dogs and cats. This emergency guide covers early envenomation signs, safe transport, antivenom realities and a September readiness checklist.
Foxtails and grass awns peak across the United States in July and August, burrowing into paws, ears, noses, and eyes within hours of a single walk. This emergency guide covers recognition, first aid, red flags, and a post-walk body check routine.
UK and Irish May heat spikes can become deadly for rabbits and guinea pigs within minutes. This emergency guide explains early warning signs, safe cooling, and when to rush to an exotic vet.
As Australian snake season tapers in May, snake bites on dogs become harder to spot but remain deadly. This guide covers recognition, pressure immobilisation, and getting to the vet fast.
Rabbits are extremely vulnerable to heat stroke, often fatally so. This emergency guide covers critical temperature thresholds, cooling methods, hydration strategies, and the signs that demand immediate veterinary attention.
Cats hide heat stroke symptoms until organ damage begins. Learn safe cooling techniques, core temperature measurement, and when to seek emergency veterinary care.
Small rodents like hamsters and gerbils can overheat fatally within minutes. This guide covers optimal temperature ranges, humidity control, safe cooling methods, and when air conditioning becomes medically necessary.
Certain lily species can cause fatal kidney failure in cats within hours, even from pollen on fur. This guide covers lethal species, emergency first aid, and a room by room checklist for removing toxic spring flowers.
Pet sitters face critical decisions when a pet has a medical emergency and the owner cannot be reached. This guide covers decision authority, consent forms, first response for choking, seizures, and allergic reactions, plus a printable quick reference card.
Canine heatstroke can turn fatal within minutes. This emergency guide covers breed risk tiers, safe cooling protocols, dangerous mistakes to avoid, and exactly what to tell the emergency veterinarian.
Spring brings a dangerous spike in canine leptospirosis cases as standing water and wildlife activity increase. Learn how to recognize early symptoms, understand vaccination schedules, and take emergency action if your dog is exposed.
Certain lily species can cause fatal kidney failure in cats from the smallest exposure. Learn which lilies are lethal, how to act fast, and why every minute matters.