Oxygen Therapy in the Animals

Would all animals with heart disease experience coughing, panting, or difficulty breathing? Well, that depends on the type and severity of the disease. Keep in mind that heart disease doesn't necessarily equate to congestive heart failure. Heart disease can refer to any problem occurring in the heart, which may or may not develop into congestive heart failure.

When congestive heart failure does occur, excess fluid accumulates in the body (particularly in the chest and lungs), resulting in breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy may be administered to stabilize animals experiencing dyspnea or difficulty breathing.

There are several methods of providing oxygen therapy depending on the animal's condition and length of treatment. Flow-by oxygen and oxygen face masks are appropriate for short procedures or exams, but may not be practical for extended hospitalization or home care. Oxygen cages offer a more medium- to long-term solution, but require proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation control, especially for smaller animals.

While oxygen therapy is crucial for stabilizing animals with respiratory distress, it's not a cure-all for heart disease. Treatment options will depend on the specific condition and circumstances of the animal. In cases where pulmonary edema is present, supplementing oxygen may not be enough - diuretics may be more effective in removing excessive fluid from the lungs. However, for animals experiencing breathing difficulties and pulmonary edema due to pulmonary hypertension, oxygen therapy may be essential, and reducing pulmonary hypertension with oxygen may even mitigate the severity of pulmonary edema.