We are proud to offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an advanced treatment that delivers pure oxygen at higher-than-normal pressure. Inside the chamber, your pet's body absorbs significantly more oxygen than it would breathing room air, and that extra oxygen is what supports faster healing in tissues that are stressed, injured, or low on blood supply.

HBOT is not a stand-alone fix. It works best as part of a treatment plan, which is why our team uses it carefully alongside our specialty and emergency services.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a helpful part of treatment for pets dealing with a wide range of conditions.

  • Wound Healing and Trauma

    For pets recovering from severe crush injuries, degloving wounds, or burns, HBOT helps damaged tissue get the oxygen it needs to heal. It can also support skin grafts and flaps by improving tissue survival, and it's often used for extensive or large surgical incisions that need extra help healing.

  • Neurologic Conditions

    HBOT is increasingly used as part of recovery for pets with spinal cord injury (including herniated discs), traumatic brain injury, or ischemic strokes like fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). The increased oxygen delivery helps reduce swelling in damaged neural tissue and supports recovery during the critical early window.

  • Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases

    Severe bite wounds, abscesses, osteomyelitis, and cellulitis all create environments where oxygen-poor tissue lets infection thrive. HBOT raises tissue oxygen levels to accelerate healing. It’s also used as adjunct therapy for systemic inflammation and sepsis.

  • Post-Surgical Recovery and Ischemia

    After abdominal surgery, orthopedic procedures, or any case where tissue perfusion is compromised, HBOT can accelerate healing and reduce complications. It's also used as adjunct support for pancreatitis and other conditions where oxygen delivery to affected tissue is the limiting factor in recovery.

  • Snake Bites and Carbon Monoxide Inhalation

    HBOT is one of the most established treatments for carbon monoxide toxicity and smoke inhalation injuries. It's also used in cases of snake or spider envenomation, where it can help reduce the extent of tissue necrosis around the bite.

What to Expect

We know bringing your pet in for a treatment they've never had before can feel uncertain, so here's what actually happens.

Each session takes place in our hyperbaric chamber a climate-controlled enclosure designed for veterinary patients. Pets are gently introduced to the chamber and monitored throughout the entire session by HBOT trained staff. Most pets settle in quickly, and many of them rest or sleep during the treatments.

Each session lasts about 30 to 60 minutes. If your pet needs more than one session in a day, we space them at least four hours apart. The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated and how your pet is responding, and your veterinary team will walk you through the recommended schedule.

Is HBOT right for your pet?

If you think hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be right for your pet, please call our hospital or talk with your veterinarian during your visit. We're happy to walk through the treatment plan with you, talk about what to expect, and coordinate care with your primary veterinarian.

VMC is currently the only veterinary hospital in our region offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which means we work closely with referring veterinarians from across the Suncoast and beyond when HBOT is part of a treatment plan.

To learn whether HBOT might be right for your pet, please call our hospital. Our team will connect you with the right doctor and walk you through scheduling and what to expect.

Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch

15205 Garnet Trail, Bradenton, FL 34211
Phone: (941) 739-1800
Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Call (941) 739-1800 to Speak With Us Anytime