When a pet can’t breathe effectively on their own, mechanical ventilation takes over — supporting respiration while we treat the underlying disease.
Mechanical ventilation in Atlanta, GA: advanced respiratory support when oxygen alone isn’t enough.
For the sickest patients, oxygen support isn’t always enough.
When Ventilation is Needed
- Severe respiratory failure
- Status epilepticus
- Botulism & tick paralysis
- Severe trauma with chest injury
- Post-operative respiratory compromise
- Toxin exposure with respiratory effects
Why it matters
When breathing fails, ventilation buys time.
Mechanical ventilation is one of the most advanced capabilities in veterinary critical care. It’s reserved for patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own — and without it, those patients have no chance. With it, many recover and go home.
Ventilation requires a coordinated team: a board-certified criticalist managing the case, a dedicated technician monitoring the patient continuously, and an anesthesiologist or critical care doctor managing sedation and ventilator settings around the clock.
Few veterinary hospitals have the team, training, and infrastructure to ventilate. At Dogwood, we do — because critical care is what we’re built for.
The Dogwood standard
Ventilation at Dogwood.
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Board-certified oversight
Ventilator management is overseen by our board-certified critical care specialists, with anesthesia consultation as needed for sedation protocols.
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Dedicated 1:1 nursing
Ventilated patients receive constant, dedicated nursing care — vital sign monitoring, suctioning, position changes, and continuous assessment for comfort and progress.
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Multi-parameter monitoring
Ventilator settings are guided by continuous capnography, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, and detailed clinical assessment.
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Family-centered communication
Ventilation is intense for everyone — including families. Daily updates, in-person visits when possible, and decisions made together throughout the stay.
Open 24 Hours
Emergency Walk-Ins
DUNWOODYCOMING SOON
Dunwoody, GA
What we use it for
Conditions that may require ventilation.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Severe pneumonia with respiratory failure
Status epilepticus or refractory seizures
Botulism, tick paralysis, and other neuromuscular paralysis
Severe head trauma or spinal injury
Severe smoke inhalation
Post-operative respiratory complications
Toxin exposures affecting respiratory drive
Service area
Proudly serving the Atlanta metro, and welcoming families from beyond.
Dogwood is located in Marietta, GA — a short drive from anywhere in the Atlanta metro. Most of our patients come from the surrounding cities, but pets and families travel from much farther for the right specialty care, and we welcome them all.
- Atlanta, GA
- Buckhead, GA
- Johns Creek, GA
- Marietta, GA
- Sandy Springs, GA
- Roswell, GA
- Alpharetta, GA
Coming from out of town? We routinely care for pets traveling from across Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and beyond — whenever the right specialty care is worth the drive. We’ll coordinate with your primary veterinarian, share records before arrival, and help make the visit as smooth as possible.
Open 24/7
Advanced diagnostics in Atlanta, GA — located in Marietta.
If your pet needs advanced respiratory support, our critical care team is ready any hour.