Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

At VCVREC we pride ourselves on providing excellent patient care, using the most advanced technology available. We are proud to introduce our newest veterinary medical treatment, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This safe and painless treatment has been proven beneficial not only to humans, but also to pets.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the patient is placed inside a hyperbaric chamber, where they inhale 100 percent oxygen, compared to the 21 percent normally present in the air we breathe. In addition, the air pressure in the chamber is about one-and-a-half to three times that of the normal atmosphere. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) medical treatment aids healing by reducing swelling, controlling infection and stimulating new blood vessel formation in healing tissues.

How is HBOT Administered?

During a typical session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the pet is placed safely and comfortably in a large hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Most patients are able to sleep or rest while the pressurized oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream. Treatments may last approximately 1 hour and can be given 1 to 3 times daily with at least 4 hours between sessions. The act of breathing pure oxygen at pressurized levels accelerates the healing process by diffusing the oxygen three times further into the bloodstream. The oxygen can then be delivered to damaged tissues, which in turn promotes healing and recovery.

Each one of these healing treatments is monitored by one of our certified veterinary technicians. In order to administer these treatments, our technicians have attended extensive training. The number and duration of treatments is tailored to each patient after being evaluated by one of the doctors here at VCVREC.

Below is a brief partial list of conditions we commonly treat with HBOT:

- Severe wounds
- Postoperative skin flaps
- Wound infections
- Fractures especially those not healing well
- Fungal infections
- Head and spinal cord injuries
- Gastrointestinal infections
- GI foreign bodies (both before and after surgery)
- Pancreatitis
- Parvovirus
- Peritonitis
- Kidney infections
- Paralysis from disc ruptures
- Pain from disc protrusion
- Post-operative swelling and pain
- Crush injuries
- Post resuscitation
- Pain palliation with cancer patients
- Smoke inhalation
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Burns
- Snake and spider bite

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is often used in conjunction with other specialty treatments, and we recommend that our patients follow up with HBOT in order to continue their healing process. Please contact us to see how HBOT can benefit your pet or to schedule a treatment