If your pet is seriously ill or is recovering from surgery, the veterinarian will most likely recommend oxygen therapy. This procedure is widely used for both people and pets. It can be carried out both in the clinic and at home. A special apparatus - an oxygen chamber for animals - is even possible to do with your own hands.
Oxygen therapy - what is it
Oxygen treatment is that the patient inhales air with a high content of useful gas. This improves blood circulation, the functioning of the lungs, nervous and digestive systems. The body as a whole becomes stronger, and recovery is significantly accelerated. Oxygenation is carried out using special equipment: masks or cameras.
Indications for the use of oxygen therapy for animals
With severe pain in the blood, the level of cortisol (stress hormone) rises, which entails an increased oxygen consumption. Therefore, oxygenation is an important part of recovery from serious injuries and is used in the following cases:
- Rehabilitation after surgery.
- Complications after childbirth.
- Big loss of blood, circulatory system disorders, shock, brain hypoxia.
- Problems with the respiratory system, both acute and chronic: shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
- Injuries to the brain and spinal cord.
- Difficulties in the functioning of the digestive system and excretion.
- Thermal, sunstroke.
- Slowing down the aging process.
- Strengthening general immunity, prevention of various diseases.
There are no contraindications to oxygen treatment in animals. It is very important that oxygenation is a painless process.
Oxygen chamber for animals - principle of operation
When oxygenating people, masks are often used - it's affordable and simple. But they are not applicable to all pets. Animals - especially in a shock, painful condition - resist putting on a mask. It does not fit such small animals as rats, hamsters, parrots and others.
The oxygen chamber is suitable for any animals. The principle of operation is simple. The animal is placed in a chamber where oxygen is supplied through the tube, and carbon dioxide is discharged through special openings.
Industrial products are equipped with level sensors and adjustments O 2 and CO 2 , as well as temperature and humidity. Many of them are designed so that you can administer to the animal medicine through a dropper. It is good if the ultraviolet lamps for disinfection are installed inside. Cameras are made of transparent plastic: this allows you to monitor the condition of the patient, and the pet - to see the owner and feel calmer. Inside the treatment gas is supplied through a tube from another special apparatus - an oxygen concentrator.
Such chambers for oxygen oxygenation for animals are used in veterinary clinics. It is possible to purchase them home by purchasing additional gas cylinders.
DIY oxygen chamber for animals
If there are no veterinary clinics nearby providing the necessary service, you can make the device yourself. To do this, you will need:
- a transparent plastic container with a tight-fitting lid of a size in which the animal can comfortably accommodate;
- a fitting of appropriate diameter, which will connect the container and the tube;
- an oxygen source (either a bottle that you can buy at a pharmacy, or a concentrator — purchase an industrial one, make it yourself).
A hole must be made in the container with a diameter corresponding to the fitting. Then insert the fasteners into it, the other end of which must be connected to the oxygen supply tube. Or you can attach the hose to the container in another way, allowing you to transfer gas reliably and tightly. At the bottom of the box, you need to drill small holes through which carbon dioxide will escape.
The principle of operation of the apparatus can be seen in the photo of the oxygen chamber for animals.
Where to get oxygen?
The most difficult thing is to make an apparatus that produces, concentrates and delivers valuable gas. Buying an oxygen cylinder in a pharmacy is quite simple, but it is far from always convenient, since it requires regular and frequent manual pressing of the cap. To do this, you must constantly be near the camera.
You can make an oxygen generator with your own hands. To do this, you need to conduct a chemical reaction, as a result of which the necessary gas will be released.
Method 1 - simple, but not for long. You will need potassium permanganate powder and hydrogen peroxide tablets. Fill a large glass jar with water up to half, dissolve potassium permanganate and add tablets - after this, oxygen evolution will begin. Such a generator will not work for long, only while the permanganate dissolves, then you will have to repeat the procedure.
Method 2 - more efficient, but more complex and dangerous, requires an understanding of the electrolysis process. You will need diodes, an energy source, rubber or silicone tubes, a glass container and a soda solution - all this must be collected properly. As a result of electrolysis, oxygen will be released, which must be taken out of the tube into the chamber. Another reaction product is hydrogen - it must be removed through the second hose through the window. Serious safety precautions must be observed since the gases emitted can ignite.
It is easier to make an oxygen chamber for small animals such as rodents, birds. You can do with a pharmacy bottle. The pet must be placed under the cover of the microwave oven with an existing hole. Through this hole through the tube from the cylinder let a little oxygen. In the absence of a cap, you can take a durable transparent plastic bag, where to put the pet and to supply gas through the gap. Oxygenation in such a home-made apparatus can only be done with short approaches, but this can be enough for a small animal.
Homemade Oxygen Chamber - Pros and Cons
The advantage of a home appliance is the lower cost of its manufacture and use, although you still have to spend money on components. He can also help out in the absence of access to medical equipment and the inability to transport the animal. Using a product of our own production, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the pet and observe safety precautions.
Otherwise, a professional camera is, of course, preferable. It is more efficient, more convenient to use, safer. It is important that the correctness of the procedure and the condition of the animal is controlled by the physician. Therefore, when a long and serious treatment of a pet is required, the best choice would be to go to a veterinary clinic.