What Is Oxygen Therapy for Dogs?
Oxygen therapy involves the administration of supplemental oxygen, in this instance to dogs, either through the use of a pet oxygen mask or by placing the dog in an oxygen-enriched environment, like a pet oxygen cage. Oxygen therapy can be lifesaving and essential to recovery in many situations. This treatment can be used in short-term situations to stabilize a pet or it can be used to treat a variety of long-term health conditions, or emergency situations like a housefire.
What is a Pet Oxygen Mask?
A Pet Oxygen Mask is a medical-grade item, specially made for use on animals in administering oxygen in a flow-by method. Pet oxygen masks have a transparent body for the animals' visibility, some oxygen masks have a silicone diaphragm, PureVent Pet Oxygen Masks are designed to mitigate CO2 and reduce anxiety of tight fitting diaphragm over the snout. These oxygen mask features help to reduce anxiety and stress caused by putting the device over the snout of your dog, without restricting air entrainment.
When shopping for a Pet Oxygen Mask, be sure to only consider purchasing oxygen masks with CO2 vents. These slots on the oxygen mask provide an escape route for the CO2 from the oxygen mask while your dog breathes, reducing the risk of rebreathing exhaled air.
Clear or transparent Pet Oxygen Masks help the pet's visibility levels during oxygen therapy treatments. Never consider purchasing a Pet Oxygen Mask that does not have CO2 vents integrated into the design.
The PureVent Pet Oxygen Mask can be used with most oxygen delivery systems. Whether using an oxygen concentrator for prolonged therapy or Pawprint Oxygen’s Transport and Rescue system for emergencies, the PureVent oxygen mask technology ensures efficient oxygen administration.
How Do I Know if My Dog Needs Oxygen?
Low blood oxygen levels, or hypoxemia, can occur in dogs for a number of reasons. Understanding what symptoms to look for and how to treat them is extremely important. This serious condition can become life-threatening and cause organ malfunction or even death if left untreated. If your pet presents any of the symptoms below, it's best to administer oxygen via an oxygen mask or portable oxygen kit if available and seek immediate medical attention.
Below are some common distress symptoms seen in pets suffering from low oxygen:
Shortness of breath or gasping
Excessive coughing or gagging
Blue or purple tint to the gums and skin
Weakness or lethargy
Exercise intolerance
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Treating Low Blood Oxygen in Dogs
While the overall course of action is determined by your pet's final diagnosis, treatment ultimately begins with oxygen therapy. This can be either in the form of a Pet Oxygen Mask or an oxygen chamber. To determine how much oxygen is needed, your veterinarian may use varying methods to measure your dog's respiratory rate and oxygen levels.
One way veterinarians make this determination is to use a tool called a pulse oximeter which measures the amount of oxygen in the blood through a non-invasive attachment to the ear or tongue. The goal is to get your pet's blood oxygen level between 94-98% with as little added stress as possible.
To reach this goal, your veterinarian may opt to either administer oxygen using a pet oxygen mask, a nasal cannula, or an oxygen cage to place your dog inside for extended periods. In treating an acute distress episode, the Pet Oxygen Mask is held directly over the dog's snout throughout the therapy session. Some pets may prefer an oxygen cage to an oxygen mask if they have never been muzzle-trained or are not touch-tolerant.
Oxygen can be beneficial in moments of acute distress as well as treating long-term health conditions. Even just a few minutes of therapy via a Pet Oxygen Mask can provide relief and slow or stop the onset of a distress episode. Below are a few scenarios where your dog would benefit from the use of oxygen.
Long Term Health Conditions That Benefit from Oxygen Therapy:
Acute Health Conditions That Benefit from Oxygen Therapy:
Asthma Attacks
Bronchitis
Respiratory Distress
Smoke Inhalation
Heat Stroke
Pneumonia
Preventative and Safety Measures
Are you located in an area that is prone to wildfires and poor air quality? Would you feel safer knowing you have an emergency pet oxygen at home in case something happens?
These are great reasons to purchase a Pet Oxygen Kit to store in your home.
