Veterinary Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (VHBOT) in small animal
veterinary medicine is a revolutionary medical technology, useful for the
treatment of acute injuries as well as for the enhancement of healing chronic
disorders in both small and large veterinary patients. Proven effective in human
medicine, HBOT is used as an adjunct therapy to other medications and
procedures. Clinical experience has shown that this same technology can be
applied successfully to many medical conditions of animals.
Veterinary Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (VHBOT) is an important
adjunct tool in veterinary medicine. HBOT provides endless
possibilities, whether treating the canine athlete, the family pet or an
exotic animal species.
HBOT treatment benefit the post-operative veterinary
patient greatly. Immediate results include the reduction of tissue
swelling and inflammation – and the decrease in pain associated with these
processes.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be of great help to veterinary
patients by speeding up the healing process and may reduce or eliminate the
need for more invasive procedures such as surgery, oftentimes resulting in a
net savings of time and cost of treatment for pet owners.
The following is a list of some conditions in veterinary medicine
currently being treated with HBOT often in addition to conventional therapies:
* Wound healing – large wounds that would take months
to heal can heal much more rapidly and cleanly – saving money and lives
* Abscesses – oxygen and antibiotic penetration
into areas otherwise poorly penetrable.
* Fractures – post fracture pain, swelling and
infection are helped as well as fibroblast stimulation and healing.
* Thermal Burns – healing is improved, infection
diminished, increased survival rates overall for burn victims is proven.
* Skin grafts and flaps – flaps and grafts heal better and
take better without infection or excessive inflammation.
* Neovascularization and decreased inflammation are
tremendous help in healing.
* Spider bites – initial swelling and necrosis does
not occur or reverses rapidly with HBOT intervention.
* Osteomyelitis – proven improved fibroblast
function, antibiotic levels in bone and healing.
* Lyme Disease – the organism cannot survive the
hyperbaric environment
* Hepatic, renal and bowel inflammation – post-operative inflammation of bowel, post-bloat or
post-obstruction occurs and diminishes chances of sepsis and decreases
effusion. Decreases repercussion injury.
* Pain management – swelling decreases, oxygenation
improves, enhances function of some pain medications.
* Post intervertebral disc herniation especially with “no deep pain” sensation– patients not
deemed surgical candidates or patients who cannot afford surgery or did not
respond well to surgery are helped tremendously.
* Pancreatitis, particularly when associated with severe edema and
hemorrhage – reduction in pain, swelling of pancreas and improved healing.
* Abdominal sepsis, particularly when associated with mixed bacterial
infection: decreased inflammation, improved penetration of antibiotics to all
areas of bowel and within peritoneal fluid, improved healing.
* Brain and spinal cord edema and injury or compression and Degenerative myelopathy– marked edema
reduction returns patients to consciousness and can reverse damage to brain and
cord quickly. These are some of the most dramatic results.
* Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis (GME) symptoms reverse due to decreased inflammation
without concurrent medications.
* Pyothorax, particularly when associated with mixed
bacterial infection – same as peritonitis
* Post traumatic or ischemic shock or any acute hypoxic episodesSevere sinusitis or
septic rhinitis – antibiotic delivery improves, inflammation goes down, pain is
reduced
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often used in combination with other
forms of therapy to treat injuries and illnesses including wounds and burns,
post-surgical swelling, sepsis, pancreatitis, necrosis, and stroke. It reduces
swelling and inflammation, eases pressure and edema caused by head or spinal
cord injuries, stimulates new blood vessel formation in healing tissues,
improves control of infection, and promotes wound healing.
Reduces length of healing time, hospital stay and hence cost
effective.
Kindly click on the below link: (Integrative Veterinary
care Journal)
References:
1. Thom SR. Hyperbaric oxygen: Its mechanisms and efficacy. Plast
Reconstr Surg 2011;127:131S-141S.
2. Simpson D. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy part one: The theory
behind the practice. Aust Vet Pract 2009; 39:93-101.
3. Edwards ML. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Part 1: History and
principles. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2010; 20:284-288.
4. Kerwin SC, Hosgood G, Strain GM, et al. The effect of
hyperbaric oxygen treatment on a compromised axial pattern flap in the
cat. Vet Surg 1993; 22:31-36.
5. Kerwin SC, Lewis DD, Elkins AD, et al. Effect of hyperbaric
oxygen treatment on incorporation of an autogenous cancellous bone graft in a
nonunion diaphyseal ulnar defect in cats. Am J Vet Res 2000;
61:691-698.
