Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cats and Dogs in Winter Haven, FL

There’s a better way to help pets heal, and it’s called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Dr. Nations introduced this modality to the practice to safely treat pets from Winter Haven and surrounding areas, and we look forward to expanding its usage so more dogs and cats can benefit. Of the approximately 30,000 animal hospitals in the US, fewer than 100 currently utilize this remarkable treatment.

To learn more about this amazing therapy and how it can help your pet, call us at (863) 324-3340.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

HBOT is a safe, drug-free treatment that delivers pure, 100% oxygen to patients at a higher pressure within one of our hyperbaric chambers. This increased pressure makes it possible for patients to absorb about 15 times the normal amount of oxygen, which is needed to help repair cells, tissues, and organs. Furthermore, HBOT allows oxygen to diffuse 3 to 4 times deeper into the tissues to treat swelling and inflammation.

How Does It Work?

Did you know that the average room contains only about 20% oxygen? Inside one of our hyperbaric chambers, the oxygen level is at 100%—that’s 5 times the normal concentration of oxygen your pet would normally breathe. With the increased pressure the chamber provides, we can ensure that hypoxic (low in oxygen) tissues are getting a much-needed oxygen supply.

What Happens During Treatment?

HBOT causes a cascade of events to take place in the body, activating certain genes and inactivating others.

Some such events include:

  • Increasing stem cell production
  • Vasodilation (dilates the blood vessels, reducing blood pressure)
  • Turning off inflammatory markers
  • Increasing circulation
  • Enhancing the ability of white blood cells to combat infection
cat and dog sitting together

Conditions We Can Treat with HBOT

A broad range of conditions can benefit from HBOT. Some of these include:

  • Snake bite envenomation
  • Non-healing wounds
  • Post-surgical sites
  • Infected abscesses and wounds
  • Sepsis
  • Cancer
  • Spinal injuries
  • Fractures
  • Burns
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, cyanide
  • Lyme disease
  • Tissue swelling and inflammation
  • Canine stroke
  • Pneumonia
  • Pancreatitis
  • ...and more

How Long Does Treatment Take?

On average, pets can expect 1-5 HBOT treatments, but severe cases may need 10-20 treatments. Each individual treatment involves spending about 60 minutes in one of our hyperbaric chambers. Each patient is kept comfortable in the chamber with soft bedding, and is monitored throughout. Some pets will even nap during their treatment.

You can learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy by calling our hospital at (863) 324-3340 or paying us a visit! We look forward to improving more lives with this innovative treatment.