Oxygen therapy for pets may be required when a pet has low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) or is unstable due to:
- Respiratory distress
- Heart failure
- Shock or trauma
- Lung disease
Oxygen may be delivered using:
- Nasal cannulas or catheters
- Oxygen masks
- Oxygen cages or hoods
Some pets require oxygen only short-term in an emergency, while others may benefit from ongoing support as part of chronic disease management.
High-Flow Oxygen Therapy
High-flow oxygen therapy for pets delivers a warmed, humidified, high-rate oxygen stream through specialized nasal cannulas. It may be considered when:
- Oxygen levels do not improve adequately with standard oxygen delivery, or
- The pet remains distressed or uncomfortable despite initial stabilization
This technique can improve comfort and reduce breathing effort in appropriately selected patients.