Hyperbaric Chambers have been used widely in veterinary medicine for several decades, and have a proven track record. Hyperbaric chambers have the capability to deliver high-pressure, low-pressure and enriched gaseous oxygen to a wide range of tissues and organs. They can be used to rapidly and safely remove a variety of substances, including viruses, foreign body proteins, and organ tissues from the tissues of animals. This new chamber technology has been approved by the FDA.
Vets are using veterinary hyperbaric chamber treatments to help their patients recover more quickly from illness or trauma. The treatment method is very helpful when dealing with many different kinds of illnesses. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers increase blood flow to the body, bringing in more oxygen and nutrients that the body needs to fight off infection, restore damaged tissues, and improve overall health. These chambers have also been shown to enhance the health and vigor of pets when they are sick. Many veterinarians use these oxygen therapy chambers to treat sick animals before actual surgery.
Hyperbaric chamber systems have been used widely for surgeries and other medical procedures in the past, but only recently have veterinarians found them so helpful in their everyday operations. “We’ve found the chambers to be a tremendous benefit to us,” says Malek. “We use them frequently in surgery and for a number of procedures. It’s great to know that we have such a versatile system on hand.” Malek is traveling to Australia to oversee the initial installation of the first medical grade HVM veterinary hyperbaric therapy chamber in the country.
Like other similar medical products, the most important feature for most consumers is whether or not the product is FDA approved. While Malek and others are quick to point out that the majority of their HVM veterinary hyperbaric chambers are FDA approved, there are still a few medical facilities that have yet to see this certification. In fact, in some cases, FDA approval may not even be necessary. Those that have yet to see this certification can find a link below which will take them directly to the FDA web site with the necessary information.
The second most important feature that consumers should be looking for is whether or not the product is in use in accordance with both the United States and international veterinary health standards. Both the United States and international Veterinary Practice Guidelines (VPG) dictate how and where veterinary hyperbaric chambers should be used. Malek and other veterinarians are strongly committed to keeping their equipment and chambers in compliance with the newest VMPs, which can be found on the FDA website. Consumers looking for a quality chamber that will work with their current practices should find it easy to find both of these important features.
The third area of consideration is the type of treatment administered in the chamber. Malek and other veterinarians are finding it easier than ever to work with carbon dioxide for various treatments. For many years, carbon dioxide laser treatment has been the gold standard for treating various inflammatory and allergic conditions, but it is no longer the only option available. Other veterinary professionals are finding it easier to use pressurized-air dryers and oral chelators for a variety of arthritic and joint disorders. Whether or not a hyperbaric chamber is appropriate in your practice, it is a good idea to learn about the treatment options available and to ask the technician about the types of treatment that have worked well for his or her patients.
An important final consideration involves the amount of oxygen that is actually infused in the chamber. The typical therapeutic oxygen hBot system provides up to fifteen times more oxygen than what is typically found in normal air. While many veterinarians are comfortable using this higher level of oxygen, some are not and remain skeptical about its effectiveness for healing pets. As is typically the case, it is a matter of determining individual patient factors such as age and overall health before making a decision regarding the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
While many modern veterinary practices utilize these specialized chambers, many older practices still use traditional hyperbaric chambers. For those who use the latter, there are a number of different options that can be used. A traditional liquid nitrogen chamber is often the preferred choice, but many veterinarians also use either pressurized-air or electric-powered air systems. Whether the final choice for your practice is one of several of these chambers or a combination of both, you will find that your animal’s health will benefit greatly from a trip into the modern age of veterinary hyperbaric chamber treatment.