Indications for the application of Veterinary Hyperbaric Oxygen.
HBOT treatment benefit the post-operative patient greatly. Immediate results include the reduction of tissue swelling and inflammation - and the decrease in pain associated with these processes.
Examples of surgical procedures that have shown clinical benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy include:
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Gastric dilation and volvulus, and the associated reperfusion injuries
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Fracture repair, especially open fractures or those involving malunion or nonunion
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Amputations
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Gastrointestinal resection and anastamosis, especially post-foreign body obstruction
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Skin grafts
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Hemilaminectomy
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Ear canal ablation
Early HBOT greatly improves the prognosis for many acute conditions and decreases the likelihood of their becoming chronic problems. Some examples of these conditions include:
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Wounds - especially degloving, necrotic, and non-healing wounds
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Osteomyelitis
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Neuropathies - including nonsurgical intervertebral disc disease and limb paralysis/paresis
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Necrotizing pancreatitis
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Burns and smoke inhalation
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Crush injuries
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Head and spinal cord trauma
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Peritonitis
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Otitis - especially involving pseudomonas as HBOT breaks down the organism’s defenses and greatly increases drug penetration
Veterinary Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an important adjunct tool in veterinary medicine. HBOT provides endless possibilities, whether treating the canine athlete, the family pet or an exotic animal species.