Our Veterinary Respiratory Care Unit (RES-CU)

 

 

At CityU VMC, we proudly offer purpose-built Respiratory Care Unit, “RES-CU”.

RES-CU is an intensive care unit designed for diagnosing, treating, and managing respiratory conditions. With specialists in Surgery, Medicine, Neurology, Critical Care and Anesthesia contributing their expertise, we ensure your pets receive the highest standard of care when admitted to Hong Kong’s only Veterinary Respiratory Care Unit, “RES-CU”.

Common conditions treated at RES-CU:

• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): We specialise in caring for breeds prone to airway disease owing to their adorable “flat-faced” conformation. Our team offers tailored treatment plans and surgical interventions to alleviate breathing difficulties in brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs.
• Pneumonia: Pneumonia can be a life-threatening disease. Our Critical Care and Internal Medicine specialists are well-trained in treating patients with pneumonia. In addition to standard therapy, our experienced team can also provide high-flow oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation should your pet require additional life-saving support.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Comprehensive management is needed to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Our team employs advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques to manage heart failure effectively, ensuring your pet’s comfort and well-being. In severe cases of heart failure, when standard oxygen therapy is insufficient to alleviate respiratory distress, we offer the option of high-flow oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: Our team can quickly diagnose and subsequently treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) through advanced diagnostic methods. Pulmonary hypertension is a common, life-threatening complication of heart and lung disease and can often go undiagnosed without specialist care.
• Collapsing Trachea (Tracheobronchomalacia): We use a combination of medical management and, when necessary, surgical techniques to treat tracheal collapse and improve your pet’s quality of life. We are one of only a few clinics in Hong Kong with specialists experienced in performing tracheal stenting for patients with collapsing tracheas.
• Neurological Disease Requiring Ventilatory Support: With Neurology and Critical Care specialists, RES-CU is the only choice for patients with neurological disease. Many patients with underlying neurological diseases, like seizure activity, are at increased risk of respiratory compromise. Our Neurology and Critical Care departments work together to treat and manage patients with neurological disease, ensuring optimal outcomes.
• Inflammatory Airway Disease (e.g., asthma and bronchitis): Our Critical Care and Internal Medicine specialists perform advanced diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage. These tests allow us to diagnose and quickly treat inflammatory airway disease.

 

 

RES-CU’s Advanced Facilities:

RES-CU take pride in our state-of-the-art equipment and specialised care options we have available, including:

• Mechanical Ventilators (MV): Providing critical breathing support for pets with severe respiratory distress or failure. RES-CU has the most experienced Veterinary Critical Care team in Hong Kong, with years of experience providing mechanical ventilation therapy across Europe and Asia.
• High-flow oxygen Therapy (HFOT): We ensure optimal oxygen levels for pets with respiratory compromise. Through the use of HFOT, we can deliver a high oxygen concentration to your pet’s lungs, providing adequate oxygen delivery to body tissues.
• Temperature and Humidity-Controlled Oxygen Cages: These allow us to maintain a comfortable environment for healing, reduce stress, and promote faster recovery in our patients with respiratory disease.
• Bronchoscopy, Rhinoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage: Advanced imaging of your pet’s airway with a flexible camera to visualise abnormalities. RES-CU can also sample the fluid from your pets’ lungs for cytology and bacterial culture. This enables precise diagnosis and targeted treatment of respiratory issues.
• Ultrasound, Digital Radiography, CT, and MRI: These cutting-edge imaging technologies allow the RES-CU team to comprehensively understand your pet’s respiratory condition and ensure appropriate treatment.
• Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring: By placing an arterial catheter, our team can closely track your pets’ blood pressure when critically ill and employ life-saving interventions when necessary.
• Arterial and Venous Blood Gas Monitoring: This diagnostic test involves a detailed analysis of your pet’s blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. By monitoring these values, we can ensure effective management of your pets’ respiratory disease.

 

 

RES-CU’s goal is to provide exceptional care and support for your beloved pet when it has respiratory compromise. We understand the importance of their health and well-being and are committed to offering outstanding medical services.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 3650 3000.

For referral vet clinics, please call 3650 3299 for case discussion or referral to RES-CU.