For Pets Who Need Intensive, Life-Saving Support

When a pet is facing a life-threatening illness or injury, they require more than the emergency service can provide. In those situations, our emergency team may feel your pet needs to be transferred to our Critical Care service for specialized monitoring and advanced equipment.

VMC is a VECCS Level 3 accredited facility, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of emergency and critical care, including in-house blood products, advanced diagnostics, ICU-level monitoring, and board-certified specialists on staff.

Call (941) 739-1800 for Critical Care
Meet Our Critical Care Team

Board-Certified Criticalists

Advanced ICU Monitoring

High-Flow Oxygen & Ventilation

In-House Diagnostics & Blood Bank

Continuous Patient Monitoring

RECOVER Certified for CPR

Board-Certified Criticalists Advanced ICU Monitoring High-Flow Oxygen & Ventilation In-House Diagnostics & Blood Bank Continuous Patient Monitoring RECOVER Certified for CPR

When Pets Need Critical Care

Some patients require continuous intensive care beyond initial stabilization.

Pets may need critical care when they are experiencing severe trauma, respiratory failure, complex infections, toxin exposure, neurologic emergencies, post-surgical complications, organ failure, or life-threatening metabolic disorders.

These conditions require constant monitoring, rapid adjustments in treatment, and coordination among multiple veterinary specialists.

Our critical care team works around the clock to ensure every patient receives the level of attention their condition demands.

Need Guidance? Call us.

Our Critical Care Capabilities

When your pet's condition requires more than emergency stabilization, our Critical Care team provides the advanced, sustained support needed for recovery. These are the core services our criticalists and ICU team deliver every day.

  • Continuous ICU Monitoring

    Hospitalized patients receive dedicated observation by our critical care team. We continuously track vital signs, fluid balance, and clinical status to catch changes early and adjust treatment in real time.

  • Blood Transfusion Medicine

    With our in-house blood bank, we have immediate access to packed red blood cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate, and antivenin. No waiting for outside suppliers when your pet needs a transfusion now.

  • Oxygen Therapy and Ventilation

    We provide multiple forms of respiratory support, including high-flow oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation for patients who cannot breathe on their own.

  • Advanced Cardiac and Blood Pressure Monitoring

    Continuous cardiac monitoring and blood pressure management allow our team to detect and respond to cardiovascular changes before they become critical.

  • IV Fluid Therapy and Nutritional Support

    Critically ill patients often cannot eat or maintain hydration on their own. Our team manages complex fluid plans and nutritional support tailored to each patient's needs.

  • Pain Management

    Effective pain control is essential to healing. We use multimodal pain management protocols to keep patients comfortable while minimizing side effects and supporting recovery.

  • RECOVER-Certified CPR

    Our critical care team is RECOVER certified, meaning they follow the latest evidence-based guidelines for veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When seconds matter, training matters.

  • In-House Diagnostics

    Our on-site laboratory provides rapid bloodwork, imaging, and diagnostic testing so our criticalists can make informed treatment decisions without delay.

  • Sepsis & Infection Management

    When infections become life-threatening, early intervention is critical. Our team uses advanced monitoring, targeted treatment protocols, blood transfusions, and continuous reassessment to stabilize patients with sepsis and systemic infections.

  • Wound & Trauma Stabilization

    For animals arriving with severe trauma, bite wounds, or surgical complications, our critical care team manages initial stabilization, wound care, and ongoing monitoring to guide patients through the most vulnerable phase of recovery.

Advanced Diagnostics

When every minute matters, access to fast, accurate diagnostics makes a critical difference.

Diagnosing the underlying cause of a life-threatening condition is essential for effective treatment. Our hospital provides advanced diagnostic capabilities that allow our team to quickly identify and address complex medical issues.

Diagnostic tools may include: digital radiology, ultrasound imaging, advanced bloodwork and laboratory testing, continuous monitoring equipment, or specialist consultations. This level of diagnostic support allows our critical care team to make informed decisions quickly and adjust treatment as a patient’s condition evolves.

Meet the Critical Care Team

Lesleigh Redavid, DVM, DACVECC

Board-Certified Critical Care Specialist
Medical Director
Director of Blood Bank Services

Dr. Lesleigh Redavid is a board-certified critical care specialist with a deep focus on managing the most complex, life-threatening medical conditions. Her clinical interests include sepsis, immune-mediated disease, metabolic crises, and multi-organ dysfunction, where careful monitoring, advanced diagnostics, and thoughtful decision-making are essential. She is known for approaching even the most critical cases with steady focus and compassion, guiding both patients and families through moments that are often overwhelming and uncertain.

In addition to her clinical role, Dr. Redavid founded the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch blood bank, helping expand lifesaving transfusion access for emergency, surgical, and critical patients throughout the hospital. She is deeply committed to building systems that support high-level care, from protocols and teamwork to client communication, ensuring that every patient receives precise, evidence-based treatment while every family feels informed, supported, and respected during difficult decisions.

Devon Diaz, DVM, MS, DACVECC

Board-Certified Critical Care Specialist
Director of Specialty Growth & Development

Dr. Devon Diaz is a board-certified critical care specialist who provides advanced care for trauma patients, severe respiratory disease, and complex post-operative cases requiring intensive monitoring. He has a particular interest in respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation, and is frequently involved in stabilizing patients whose conditions can change rapidly. His calm, methodical approach allows teams and families to navigate high-risk situations with clarity and confidence.

Beyond the ICU, Dr. Diaz is actively involved in education and community support, including working with local police K9 units and assisting with advanced training and emergency preparedness. He values collaboration across specialties and plays a key role in ensuring continuity of care between emergency, surgery, and critical care teams. His focus remains on delivering thoughtful, precise treatment while helping clients understand what is happening, what options exist, and what comes next.

  • Courtney, CVT, VTS-ECC

    Critical Care
    Veterinary Technician Specialist

  • Macara, CVT, VTS-ECC

    Critical Care
    Veterinary Technician Specialist

  • Lauren, CVT

    Critical Care
    Certified Veterinary Technician

  • Apryl, CVT

    Critical Care
    Certified Veterinary Technician

Continuous Care & Collaboration

Critical care is a team effort.

Treating critically ill pets requires close collaboration between veterinarians, technicians, specialists, and support staff.

Our Critical Care service works closely with our referring veterinarians, our emergency doctors, and our surgery, ophthalmology, and diagnostic imaging services.

This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care and that treatment plans are continuously reviewed and refined as conditions evolve.

Call (941) 739-1800 to Speak With Our Team

What to Expect During Critical Care

When a pet requires critical care, our team works closely with families to explain your pet’s condition, treatment options, and expected next steps.

We understand how stressful these situations can be. Our goal is to provide clear communication, compassionate support, and thoughtful guidance throughout every stage of care.

Our team will keep you informed about your pet’s condition and work with you to make decisions that prioritize your pet’s health, comfort, and long-term well-being.

Advanced Critical Care When Your Pet Needs It Most

Our Critical Care team is available to provide intensive support for pets facing serious medical conditions.

If your pet is currently experiencing a medical emergency, please come directly to our hospital or contact our team.

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 Our Emergency Team

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