SPCA: Oxygen right therapy for cat

Two weeks ago, our animal welfare inspector was called to a Tauranga rural address where she found Smokey, a senior domestic short-hair cat in a terrible state. His collar was so tight it had worn right through the side of his neck leaving a gaping wound.
We considered putting him down but, in line with our policy of giving animals a second chance (and the fact that Smokey was a real smooch, even though he was in a lot of pain), we took him to doctor Liza Schneider at the Holistic Veterinary Centre on Fraser St.
Liza operated on Smokey to close the terrible wound and suggested that to assist with healing, Smokey undergo therapy in their new hyperbaric chamber.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used in human medicine since the beginning of the 20th century. Based on sound scientific principles, it is now an accepted treatment for several conditions including non-healing wounds, compromised skin grafts, infections, gas gangrene, traumatic injury, certain poisonings and burns.
The therapy basically means giving oxygen under pressure. This allows for a far greater amount of oxygen to be available to tissues in the body. Oxygen at optimal levels has profound anti- inflammatory effects; it helps to rid the body of infection directly by killing certain bugs and indirectly by supporting the immune system and assists to accelerate healing, often dramatically.
Normally oxygen is carried by red cells in the bloodstream and, at any given time in a normal human or animal breathing air (which has 21 per cent oxygen), about 96 per cent of red blood cells are saturated with (carrying) oxygen. When breathing 100 per cent pure oxygen instead of air, all red blood cells carry oxygen and deliver it to cells within reach of circulating blood vessels. Under pressure in the chamber, like divers submerging under water, oxygen dissolves into all of the body fluid and tissues.
This means that it is no longer dependent on the blood vessels and red blood cells for delivery and can easily reach important areas such as injury sites and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to which oxygen delivery might be compromised in an injured or diseased human or animal. The principle is the same as the bubbles in a fizzy drink which are dissolved when the bottle is closed under pressure but fizz out once the pressure is released when the bottle is opened.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows for an increase of 12-15 times the normal oxygen concentration in the body. This promotes natural healing and recovery and is commonly used to assist in these conditions as well as many others:
Severe skin and tissue damage.
Fracture healing.
Major systemic or local infections.
Intervertebral disc herniation.
Inflammatory conditions such as pancreatitis.
Nerve damage.
Athletic injury.
Post-surgical swelling and recovery.
Organ dysfunction and failure such as liver disease and kidney failure.
The therapy may be used in adjunct to most other veterinary or alternative treatments. Only animals that have certain kinds of ear, sinus or lung problems or are critically ill may not be able to be treated.
During treatment, the animal simply sits or lies down and relaxes in the chamber breathing pure oxygen while the chamber is pressurised. A treatment session lasts 1-2 hours and animals tolerate it well and typically respond beautifully to as little as one to five sessions depending on individual needs.
Liza's hyperbaric chamber is the only one of its kind in Tauranga and one of three in New Zealand being used by the veterinary profession. It is an incredible healing aid, which promotes health and wellbeing in a stress-free manner for our furry friends.
It is important for the SPCA to keep up with new technology and to have Liza and her team on our side is a real blessing for all concerned and especially the animals. Smokey is doing great and would love someone to take him home in a week or so after a little more R&R.;
- John Esdaile is manager, Tauranga branch SPCA