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Ventura
2301 South Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
805.642.8562
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Thousand Oaks
2967 N. Moorpark Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805.492.2436
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The Pet Emergency Clinics of Ventura and Thousand Oaks are proud to offer high and low pressure Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for the pets of Ventura County.
You may already be aware of HBOT from the recent mining accident in WV where a young miner was treated using HBOT for carbon monoxide poisoning. Our Chief of Staff, Dr. Tim Crowe has utilized HBOT in many situations from snake bite necrosis to patients with acute spinal trauma and inflammation.
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How It Works
Oxygen is extremely important to wound healing and preventing tissue necrosis (death of tissues). The cause of the wound does not matter—from trauma to surgery—the process is the same. The exterior of the wound has adequate oxygen for healing but the oxygen is utilized rapidly leaving near zero O2 levels just below the surface (100microns in fact which is less than the width of a human hair). This lack of oxygen known as hypoxia may lead to a number of problems including:
decreased white blood cell function which means the cells that typically fight infection aren’t functioning as well as they should
anaerobic infections (bacteria that live without oxygen can grow well in this environment and these can cause life threatening infections
cell death & tissue death
When infection is present, oxygen levels are already diminished and thus a cycle of decreasing oxygenation of tissues and increasing cellular death ensues. This will increase the chances of complications and delay healing.
Clinical studies with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) demonstrate infections may be prevented, antibiotics become more effective, and swelling diminished. In fact, Dr. Tim Crowe has published information from some of his clinical trials using HBOT. The benefits of decreased swelling alone are impressive—increased circulation to the area, decreased pain & decreased inflammation. HBOT has also been shown to stimulate new capillary growth which increases blood flow to injured areas. Under pressure, oxygen diffuses and is stored in the space between cells known as interstitial space. Plus, oxygen tension is increased throughout the body including neurons of the spinal cord and brain.
The Procedure
The pet is sedated if needed using a mild tranquilizer, and then placed in the low pressure chamber for 1.5-2 hrs. The pressure is increased to 1.25-1.3 atmospheres (3.5-4.5 PSI greater than ambient) and the oxygen concentration is increased 40-45% in low pressure and up to 50-70% in high pressure systems. Smaller pets are confined to a carrier and monitored closely throughout the procedure. Larger dogs are usually given mild sedation as long as there is not another condition precluding the use of sedation.
Treatment can be performed again after a 2 hour rest. The number of “dives” is dependant upon the type of injury, how long it’s been present and the individual’s response to treatment. Many conditions show significant improvement after 1-2 dives.
Current Conditions That Benefit From HBOT
There are numerous medical and surgical instances where HBOT can benefit such as: snake and spider bites, infected wounds, non-healing wounds, deep infections from fungus or bacteria, cellulites, carbon monoxide or cyanide toxicity, bone infections, deep abscesses, as well as spinal or brain injuries.
Human hospitals have recognized the benefits of providing pressurized oxygen to decrease healing time for years. In face, some human facilities have allowed veterinarians to use their high-pressure chambers just as they have done with other technologies such as MRI and CT scan.
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