In this first installment of our two-part series, our trio of veterinary anesthesiologists takes a deep breath and dives into the fundamentals of mechanical ventilation. We break down the “why” and “when” of using a ventilator, explore key terminology, and discuss the most common ventilation modes you’ll encounter in veterinary practice. Whether you’re new to the concept or need a refresher, this episode will help you breathe easier about ventilator basics—without leaving you gasping for air from information overload!