Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency - Gig Harbor, WA
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Emergencies

What to Expect in the ICU

Pet Eye Care - Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency

When your pet is hospitalized in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we know how important communication and transparency are. Below is what you can expect during your pet’s stay with us.

Doctor & Nursing Patient Rounds

Daily: 7:00–8:30 AM and 7:00–8:30 PM

During these scheduled rounds, our emergency and specialty veterinarians (DVMs) and ICU nursing team meet to review every hospitalized patient. This includes discussing:

  • Current condition and overnight changes
  • Diagnostic results
  • Treatment plans and medications
  • Monitoring needs
  • Care handoffs to the incoming shift

Because our full medical team is focused on patient care and detailed case discussions during this time, owner updates are temporarily paused during rounds. This ensures that every pet receives thorough, uninterrupted medical attention.

Our doctors provide updates throughout their shifts. The timing of updates may vary depending on:

  • Patient volume
  • Critical or unstable cases
  • Emergency procedures
  • Surgical scheduling


If you would like an update at any time, you are always welcome to call. A veterinarian or ICU nurse will provide the most current information available regarding your pet’s condition.

We understand how stressful emergency hospitalization can be, and our team is committed to keeping you informed.

Every hospitalized pet at Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency is overseen by a dedicated ICU care team that includes:

  • An ICU veterinarian (doctor)
  • An ICU technician or nurse
  • An ICU assistant


This qualified team works together to support each patient’s wellness and recovery.

All patients receive:

  • Fresh food and water (as medically appropriate)
  • Clean bedding
  • A safe and secure kennel environment
  • Individualized treatments based on their specific medical needs


If preferred, clients may provide food or prescribed medications for administration during hospitalization. Please discuss this with your pet’s care team to ensure proper documentation and safe handling.

Owners are welcome to visit hospitalized pets. To ensure your visit is safe and coordinated with your pet’s treatment schedule:

  • Please call ahead to arrange a visit with your DVM.
  • Visits may be scheduled around treatments, procedures, or rest periods.


Our goal is to balance emotional support for your pet with the medical care they need to recover.

At Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency, our mission is to provide compassionate, advanced emergency and specialty care to pets throughout the Puget Sound region. If your pet is currently hospitalized, please reach out with any questions, our team is here to support both you and your pet.