Partnership Training FAQs
Welcome to Pawprint Oxygen’s partnership training! Below you’ll find the most frequent questions we get from our partners and their answers. Have a question that’s not on this list? Please get in touch with our team, we’ll be happy to answer any additional questions for you and your team!
Oxygen Cage FAQ
What oxygen flow rate should I use?
For pets under 25 lbs, supply the oxygen cage with 5 liters per minute (LPM). This can be accomplished with the oxygen concentrator on your anesthesia machine.
For pets 25-70 lbs, supply the oxygen cage with 10 LPM. This can be accomplished with your VASS O2 Therapy Kit, pictured below:
How do I vent the cage to keep it cool?
Vent the cage by leaving a 6 inch opening in the zipper door, preferably at the top. Venting is essential to prevent carbon dioxide, heat, and humidity from building up.
Which Venturi piece should I use?
The Venturi determines the oxygen level in the cage by mixing room air with pure oxygen from the oxygen source. This also multiplies the overall airflow in the cage, which helps to mitigate heat, carbon dioxide, and humidity.
Red (40%) is the most commonly used Venturi. Start with the red piece and go up or down depending on the pet’s symptoms. We do not recommend using the Opaque (100%) Venturi.
How do I assemble the Venturi?
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2diCW2pxT0Q
For pets over 70 lbs, do not use the oxygen cage!
The oxygen cage is rated for pets that are 70 lbs or less. Pets over that weight are at risk of overheating and building up unhealthy levels of carbon dioxide.
For pets over 70 lbs, administer oxygen via the pet oxygen mask using the Red Oxygen Kit provided by Pawprint Oxygen.
Is oxygen toxicity a risk?
Oxygen toxicity, or hyperoxia, can occur when a patient is exposed to an atmosphere of at least 60% oxygen for at least 24 hours. For this reason, we DO NOT recommend using the Opaque (100%) Venturi piece. However, the risk is low even then, because it is unlikely that a pet will be held in this oxygen cage for more than 24 hours.
Oxygen Kit FAQ
I don’t have the right kit for my pet’s weight range!
That’s okay! You can use any kit that has an equal or greater weight range.
Petco has the Teal Kit (Cat 0-11), Orange Kit (Dog 11-22), and Red Kit (Dog 33+).
Examples:
- For a 25 lb dog, you can use the Red Kit (Dog 33+)
- For a 13 lb cat, you can use the Orange Kit (Dog 11-22)
- For a 5 lb dog, you can also use the Orange Kit.
By using a kit with a higher weight range, you are simply administering a higher flow rate of oxygen, which is safe. Oxygen toxicity, or “too much oxygen” is not a concern when administering oxygen by face mask. You would need to administer oxygen continuously for at least 24 hours in order for oxygen toxicity to be an issue.
Do I have to use the entire Canister at once?
No, you do nott have to use the entire Oxygen Canister at once! Just remove the Regulator and use the rest of the oxygen when you need it next.
How do I check the amount of oxygen remaining in the Canister?
You can check the amount of oxygen remaining in a Canister by inserting the Regulator and twisting to start the oxygen flow. Place your thumb over the Regulator outlet so that you don’t waste any oxygen.
Are empty Canisters refillable?
No, but they are recyclable! Empty Canisters can be recycled along with your normal home / clinic recycling.
Aren't oxygen tanks dangerous?
Not these ones! Our Canisters are 1/10th of the pressure of an E-tank, making them lightweight and safe to use at home and in the car. Oxygen is NOT flammable, but it is an accelerant, so we suggest keeping it away from open flames. Our Canisters are rated safe to ship via UPS Ground by the Department of Transportation.