Small Animal Technician’s Guide to the Intensive Care Unit

by Rebecca J. Roesler, Angela M. Secchi
April 2026

Provides veterinary technicians with practical, comprehensive guidance on small animal ICU care

Small animal intensive care units (ICUs) demand precision, critical thinking, and advanced technical skills. Small Animal Technician’s Guide to the Intensive Care Unit addresses the need for an all-in-one resource tailored specifically to veterinary technicians. Structured for both accessibility and depth, this guide emphasizes hands-on procedures, medical math, pharmacology, and the day-to-day nursing tasks that ensure high-quality patient care.

The book covers medical abbreviations, treatment chart anatomy, nursing care for commonly hospitalized diseases, pharmacological principles, and essential calculations. Step-by-step procedural guidance is reinforced with real-world case studies that bring clinical decision-making to life, illustrating how theoretical knowledge is applied in urgent scenarios such as placing a central venous catheter, caring for oxygen dependent patients, or calculating fluid therapy rates. By combining concise instruction with illustrative examples, it supports both the development of new technicians and the continued growth of experienced staff in specialty and emergency settings. Postoperative ICU care is also critical following surgical procedures—see

Focused on the unique responsibilities of the technician within the ICU setting, Small Animal Technician’s Guide to the Intensive Care Unit:

• Includes extensive coverage of medical abbreviations for streamlined clinical communication
• Offers in-depth instruction on treatment charts and patient monitoring protocols
• Provides clear guidance on medical math and pharmacology calculations
• Features case studies that highlight practical applications in critical care situations
• Covers a wide range of diseases and nursing interventions relevant to ICU patients
• Details advanced procedures such as transfusions, tracheostomy tube maintenance, and ventilation care

Designed for use in fast-paced clinical environments, Small Animal Technician’s Guide to the Intensive Care Unit is ideal for veterinary technology students and credentialed veterinary technicians or nurses working in emergency and critical care. It is recommended for courses in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) nursing within veterinary technology programs and serves as a valuable resource for DVM curricula and specialty practice training.