What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
An Oxygen Concentrator functions by concentrating room air into high purity oxygen gas at continuous flow rates. The Oxygen Concentrator is commonly used with a Pet Oxygen Mask or an Oxygen Cage to provide oxygen to a pet. While either method of administration may be beneficial to help a pet in need, the use cases between them differ.
Using a Concentrator with an Oxygen Cage
When using a Concentrator with a Cage, it is important to choose an Oxygen Concentrator that produces a high enough flow rate to supply adequate oxygen and air flow to the Cage in-use. A 5 Liter Concentrator is appropriate for a small or medium sized Cage while a 10 Liter Concentrator is essential to fill the volume of a large Cage.
An Oxygen Concentrator should always run at its highest flow rate. Always pre-saturate the Cage for at least 15 minutes before placing a pet inside. It is essential to leave a 4-5 inch gap in the zipper of the cage for proper ventilation. A typical therapy session is 1 to 2 hours for a pet that is using the Oxygen Concentrator with the Cage. Always seek a veterinarian’s guidance on the duration and frequency of therapy sessions.
Using a Concentrator with an Oxygen Mask
When a pet is having immediate respiratory distress, the Concentrator is best used with a Pet Oxygen Mask. To begin therapy, plug in the Concentrator and attach the clear oxygen tubing and Pet Oxygen Mask. This is a much more time effective process than setting up the Cage.
Remember to remove the black rubber diaphragm found at the end of the Mask. This will create greater visibility for a pet. They are more comfortable and accepting of the Mask. Generally, the Pet Oxygen Mask is well suited for short-term oxygen therapy sessions.
