Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is fast becoming a mainstream treatment option in veterinary medicine. Regardless of the underlying health condition, HBOT provides dogs with an increased supply of oxygen to their body tissues.
Describing why veterinarians use HBOT in conjunction with other medical treatments to assist the dog in recovering from the original issue, while minimizing complications.
In this blog, we will talk about the Conditions Treated With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Dogs.
The conditions treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Wounds
Wound care accounts for one of the most common uses of HBOT. Dogs can develop various types of bodily wounds from cuts, bites, surgical procedures or trauma which may take a long time before full healing takes place. Increased oxygen levels within the affected area will repair damaged tissue, stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, and decrease swelling.
Bite Wounds and Traumatic Injuries
Fights between dogs, automobile accidents and other forms of trauma can result in severe damage to one or more areas of the dog’s body. The external look of the injury may be relatively minor, but internally there may be severe damage to tissue below the surface.
Surgical Recovery
Once a dog has undergone surgery, it can create an environment that fosters post-operative swelling, inflammation and/or discomfort. Use of HBOT may be beneficial when supporting the healing process by providing increased amounts of oxygen to the surgical area.
Skin Infections and Abscesses
Many skin infections (i.e., abscesses) can be difficult to eliminate; one contributing factor for some skin infections and abscesses is that there is diminished blood supply to the infected area. The oxygen-rich environment of HBOT may help reduce some types of bacterial growth and support the immune system’s ability to defend the body against bacteria.
Burns
Burns cause painful injuries and damage deeper tissue. In dogs with thermal, chemical, or electrical burns, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help improve conditions.
More oxygen helps reduce swelling, increase circulation, and promote tissue healing. Providing the treatment early may decrease the amount of long-term scar tissue.
Snake Bites
Snake bites can cause swelling at the site of the bite and decrease blood flow to the injured tissue. If the oxygen supply to the tissue is lost, the tissue can begin to die.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps minimize the amount of damaged tissue by increasing the amount of oxygen to the injured cells. Along with proper veterinary care, HBOT will improve healing and recovery time after a snake bite.
Neurological Problems
Dogs with certain neurological conditions have benefited from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Dogs with brain injuries, spinal cord injury, or decreased oxygen to their brain can improve with the use of HBOT.
HBOT helps provide increased oxygen to the nervous system, which can help reduce inflammation. It is not a cure; however, it can help improve the quality of life and provide assistance during the recovery phase for some patients.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious medical condition that has eliminated oxygen from the tissues in the body. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the best methods to provide additional oxygen to people who have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
Crush injuries in dogs are severe
Crush injuries may be very damaging to muscles, vessels, and surrounding tissues, and with the natural inflammatory processes that take place with an injury, can sometimes limit the delivery of oxygen to the injured site. This can lead to increased time required for healing.
The application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to the injured area results in the increased delivery of oxygen to the damaged tissue, reduced inflammation, and support for the survival of the affected tissue. This can lead to improved healing outcomes and fewer complications associated with treatment.
Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps
Veterinary surgeons sometimes use skin grafts or flaps to replace skin over large open wounds. In some cases, the blood supply to the grafted site is diminished, resulting in delayed healing or loss of the graft.
The application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to grafted areas will allow for greater availability of oxygen to the tissue, stimulating the formation of new blood vessels and improving the success of the graft or repair.
Top benefits of oxygen therapy for dogs
There are several benefits of using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on dogs:
- Accelerated healing of wounds
- Reduced swelling and inflammation
- Improved oxygenation of tissue
- Increased ability to control infection
- Improved recovery from surgical procedures
- Support of recovery from traumatic injuries
Because Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used as a component of a comprehensive treatment plan, veterinarians will evaluate each dog individually to determine whether the therapy should be used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities.
Blockquote
“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promotes faster healing and recovery in dogs.”
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy represents a very effective tool for modern veterinary medicine. Some of the more common conditions that Veterinarians would use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on include, but are not limited to, severe wound healing, infection, burns, trauma, neurological injuries and any other conditions that respond positively to increased oxygen delivery to tissue.
AV Veterinary provides the best therapy and treatment for pets. Feel free to take your pet to the facility to provide proper care and guidance.
Contact details
Name – AV Veterinary Center
Address – 1055 W. Columbia Way #103, Lancaster, CA 93534
Contact – 661-729-1500
E-mail – reception@avvetcenter.com
Frequently asked questions
What does doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with dogs mean?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a type of therapy that allows dogs to inhale pure oxygen in a hospital-like chamber designed to encourage healing and recovery from injury or illness.
What are some of the conditions that HBOT may be used to treat in dogs?
Wounds, burns, infections, traumatic injuries, snake bites, and some types of neurological disorders.
Is HBOT safe for dogs?
When supervised properly by trained staff, HBOT should generally be safe and tolerable with no known side effects.
How does HBOT help with healing wounds in dogs?
It increases the amount of oxygen that is delivered to damaged cells; decreases inflammation; and helps restore and replenish tissue more quickly than if no HBOT were used.
Can HBOT substitute for any other type of veterinary care?
Typically, HBOT is not considered a substitute when used in combination with other treatments, such as medications and surgery, as part of a comprehensive plan.
How many treatments will my dog need to undergo?
The total number of treatments your dog receives depends on your dog’s specific condition, the severity of the injury, how quickly your dog responds to treatment, and the recommendations from a veterinarian.
How effective will HBOT therapy be when a dog is recovering from major surgery?
HBOT treatments can help reduce swelling associated with a surgical procedure, increase oxygen delivery to the surgical site, and accelerate recovery times.
How long does HBOT last for dogs at each visit?
Each visit will last anywhere from 45 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on your dog’s condition.
