In this issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, guest editor Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro brings her considerable expertise to the topic of Hot Topics in Emergency and Critical Care. Top experts discuss topics such as crystalloids versus colloids: same controversy, new information; current standards and practices in small animal mechanical ventilation; extracorporeal therapies in the emergency room and intensive care unit; controversies of and indications for the use of glucocorticoids in the ICU and the emergency room; and more.