Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers for Horses

How Does it Work?

The amount of oxygen that red blood cells can carry is limited under normal atmospheric pressure, meaning that only a small amount of oxygen is dissolved back into the plasma. Increasing just the amount of oxygen breathed cannot significantly improve oxygen delivery to the body through haemoglobin, but, with increased pressure, the oxygen level in the plasma increases, which yields higher delivery to tissues and organs.

When a patient is given 100 per cent oxygen under pressure, the haemoglobin becomes saturated and the blood itself can also be hyper-oxygenated by dissolving oxygen within the plasma. So, as the pressure of the oxygen is increased in the hyperbaric chamber, the amount of oxygen being inhaled increases; the haemoglobin in the red blood cells becomes 100 per cent saturated with oxygen; and the excess oxygen is dissolved into the blood plasma – the fluid of the blood then becoming hyper-oxygenated itself.

The principle goal of the treatment is not only to saturate the haemoglobin to 100 per cent, but also to dissolve the oxygen into the fluid and protein of the blood, thus allowing the oxygen to be diffused into the peripheral tissues – like the muscles and brain – at increased levels. This also allows oxygen to reach damaged tissues not able to be accessed due to broken-down vessels or hindered circulation because of injury or infection.

Hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy increases the oxygen concentration in all body tissues. Because improved oxygen delivery and stimulation of capillary formation assists in the healing of wounds in skin and muscle tissue, it is especially beneficial in injuries where circulation has been impaired. “The number one application is definitely in the treatment of a deep infection such as an infection to the bone or into the tendon sheath,

Due to the chamber’s ability to provide oxygenation to damaged tissues, other benefits include the restoration of blood flow to reduce swelling. By minimizing inflammation and swelling, it can also dramatically minimize the destruction of tissue structures within the hoof in some cases of laminitis. It is also reported to have success in reproduction programs to increase the libido of aging stallions. It is important to note that while hyperbaric oxygen therapy is beneficial in many circumstances

• It stimulates tissue healing by reducing swelling.

• It increases cell division in the endothelial cells that line the blood capillaries.

• It increases division within the fibro-blasts the cells that make collagen.