Veterinary Critical Care in Bozeman, MT

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an Appointment

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At Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency, we understand how overwhelming and frightening it can be when a beloved pet is facing a life-threatening illness or injury. Our Critical Care team is dedicated to supporting both pets and their families through these challenging times with compassionate, transparent, and advanced medical care.

Compassionate, Advanced Care When Your Pet Needs It Most


We provide 24/7 hospitalization, intensive monitoring, and specialized treatments for critically ill patients. Through around-the-clock nursing care, advanced medical therapies, and close communication with pet owners, our goal is to give every patient the best possible chance for recovery and a safe return home to the people who love them.

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Critical Care DVMs

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What Is Veterinary Critical Care?


Veterinary Critical Care Medicine is the veterinary equivalent of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It focuses on caring for pets with severe illnesses, injuries, or medical complications that require constant monitoring, specialized treatments, and rapid medical intervention.


Our team provides continuous support using advanced equipment and therapies to stabilize critically ill patients, manage pain and discomfort, and address changes in their condition as quickly as possible. Because critical illness can change rapidly, our doctors and technicians closely monitor each patient throughout their hospitalization to ensure their needs are met every step of the way.

Our Commitment to Communication and Support


We recognize that caring for a critically ill pet can be stressful for families as well. That's why we prioritize regular communication, helping owners understand their pet's condition, treatment plan, and progress throughout their stay.


Our commitment to your pet's recovery does not end at discharge. We work closely with families and referring veterinarians to provide guidance and follow-up care recommendations, helping ensure a smooth transition home and minimizing the risk of complications during recovery.

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Critical Conditions We Treat

Our Critical Care Service provides advanced care for pets experiencing a wide range of life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including:

  • Respiratory distress and oxygen-dependent conditions, including advanced oxygen therapies such as High-Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT) and mechanical ventilation
  • Sepsis and severe infections
  • Shock and circulatory compromise
  • Trauma and polytrauma
  • Toxicities and poisonings
  • Severe gastrointestinal disease
  • Acute kidney injury and urinary obstruction
  • Neurologic emergencies
  • Endocrine crises, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and Addisonian crisis
  • Immune-mediated diseases
  • Coagulation disorders and severe anemia
  • Blood transfusion medicine and transfusion support
  • Post-operative intensive care and monitoring


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Expanding Services at BVS

As our Critical Care program continues to grow, we anticipate offering Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) in 2027–2028, providing advanced dialysis support for select patients with severe kidney disease, immune disease, severe toxicities and other critical illnesses.