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Hi again,
I made my "oxygen cage" for around $120 Aus dollars.
I had to get a prescription from my vet to be able to set up an account with an oxygen cylinder. Hire is $17 per month and refills are $52 per month. All considerably less than $1,500 a night!
In the end all I did was get a portable 'small animal' carry cage - not a cat cage - and wrapped it in thickish plastic. Like the stuff you'd put on a table to protect it.
I put two dots of Velcro top and bottom for the plastic over the door and them punched a heap of holes in the top.
All up I think it took me an hour to put it together and that including seeing a 'cushion' out of old material for a comfy bed.
If anyone wants photos let me know and I'll send them to you.
I think 'orange' smells trigger her asthma ... and of late I have been loving a new 'orange blossom' spray and wipe ... anyway we are still working out what meds work best - injections so far are less stressful. She's not eating much - I even resorted to trying to bribe her with cream!! - and my insightful 5yo (human) daughter reckons it's because I'm always giving her medicine. She said someone else needs to start feeding her.
Interestingly she doesn't have breathing issues when she purrs - does anyone else find that?
I hope someone finds this helpful.
Cheers.
Kathryn
bless you for sharing this info. it is really a help to read your intervention idea. vet care can be prohibitively expensive and the stress of being at the hospital or even just the drive can induce so much stress it could do harm. In my case we are very rural and often the only option is home remedy and I think especially for short treatments this looks fairly harmless to try. You are a loving cat guardian for sure.
Hi I was wondering what oxygen percentage you had the tank adjusted to, etc. how did you come to a conclusion for the right conditions? My dog has CHF and I am trying anything I can to make her feel comfortable.
Does anyone know a medical supplies website I can order the tank from? I looked at the link provided and it listed $200 and over. Please if anyone can help me
Over 11 yrs. ago my cat had hypertrophic cardiomegally. When I took him to the emergency vet they put him in an O2 chamber. His breathing improved immediately. The next day I took him home with a presciption for Lasix. He still had episodes of shortness of breath and I would have to give him more Lasix as needed. I decided to build an O2 chamber by using a huge plastic square that a comforter set had come in. It had 2 zippers going around 3 sides that could be left open where the zippers met. I added a wood bottom to it that I covered with soft fabric and padding. It was large enough for him to lie down and also place a disposible litter box in. It was clear plastic so he could see outside.
I did have a friend who used O2, she had a concentrator but also had multiple tanks in case of a power outage. She gave me some tanks and tubing. I taped the tubing inside the container about midway down and left a few inches of the zippers open to release the exhaled air. What I had to guess at was how many liters of O2 I should run in. I would start at 4L to fill the enclosure then titrate it down to zero as his breathing improved and stablized, at which point I would let him out and see if symptoms recurred. This process usually took less than 45 mins. The cat didn't mind this process and would actually place his face in front of the tubing where the O2 came out.
I've seen where people have suggested O2 cylinders for other than medical purposes and I don't see the problem with that. O2 is O2. It would need a flow meter.
Eventually his condition deteriorated, he required additional meds, (cardiac) and his symptoms were more frequent. He hated taking pills.
I felt at this point his quality of life was too poor to continue as he would hide under the bed to avoid taking pills and it was a struggle to get him to do so. I scheduled an appt. to have him euthanized the next day. I transported him in the O2 chamber.
In many respects I am sorry I didn't put him down when he was first diagnosed, but the vet didn't recommend it. When I took him to a vet that specialized in cardiac care he didn't offer an opinion on euthanisia when I inquired other than I could if I wanted to.
I think what I built worked well and was free for the most part. Depending on whether an animal's condition were temporary or chronic or terminal should be carefully considered when deciding to place him on O2.
While searching for how to build an oxygen chamber/tank for my cat I found a few options but all were claiming that they spent $1,000+…. there is a MUCH more affordable option I'd like to share! It is a very simple solution for an extremely expensive condition.
TOTAL PRICE FOR MY TANK: $75
In my case, my kitty has Congestive Heart Failure, she is only 3 but it is extremely severe. I have spent an exuberant amount of money on her hospital visits, while her medications aren't bad I have been hit with $1,500+ in bills on certain occasions and an overnight visit to the animal hospital to receive oxygen runs on a low of $300.
During her last visit the vet suggested that due to the severity and type of her condition she was the perfect candidate for a homemade oxygen tank. As soon as they give her an extra dose of one of her medications (in her case- Lasix), it kicked in while she was in the animal hospital oxygen tank and within minutes she was 70% better. All she needed was a few hours in the tank and she was back to normal eating, running around, purring, etc.
You will need a prescription from your vet for a medical oxygen tank. You can go through any local Homecare facility, etc. They will provide you with all the tubing you need as well as thorough instructions, it is super simple and works the same as it would for a human. The prescription is for a very low dosage so the tank can last up to 11hrs if used on the lower suggested setting. I paid $50 flat per month for the tank and its $15 per refill.
THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
(1)- Large clear plastic tupperware from Walmart, Target, etc. CLear so the pet can see through, make sure it has a snap on top of some sort and enough room for the animal to move around in.
(1) Brass Adaptor (I purchased mine at home depot, anything similar to this will do the job. The vet used a plastic one). The oxygen hose will be fitting on this to make sure to purchase the correct size. Home Depot can help you if you bring the hose in. Mine needed a 1.5in size.
NOTE: You will need either a bolt or a wire securing device that fits on one end of this
1. Make a hole in the container on one side to fit the adaptor securely
2. Place the adaptor through the hole and secure on the other side with bolt or wire secure band, etc.
*Make sure there isn't any extra space around the adaptor or you will need to add some putty around the hole to keep the oxygen from leaking out of the tank excessively
3. Attach oxygen hose to adaptor, if you purchase the brass kind like the one listed above you simple stick the oxygen hose right over the rigid area and it fits snug and is secure
4. Make a bunch of holes in the top of the container (approx. 1/8inch or so)- this is for venting, if you find you need more later make them larger or add more holes. You MUST make enough, they don't want to feel trapped and the oxygen needs to release
5. Make a nice little bed for your pet, turn the oxygen tank on to the appropriate setting (listed on the prescription, the Homecare facility will show you how to do this and you can also look on YouTube if you forget the basics of how to turn the tank on
6. Let the tank fill for 5-10min before placing the animal inside
7. Place them in, secure the top and there you go!
___________________
* * * * * * * * * *
I've spoken with 3 vets that have taken care of my kitty for the past year and also a specialist who builds medical oxygen tanks for a living and this is exactly what I was told to do and it is the absolute best and most affordable option to help out my fluffy little girl. I let her try this out a few times to get used to the idea to alleviate stress when the tank is really needed and she seems fine with it.
She is in the safety of her own home, can relax, and most importantly… she can BREATH! Her condition is very severe so this will only work for her for so long but I would say this is worth a shot for anyone who's pet is small enough to build this and has a heart or breathing condition that they are often in need of some extra oxygen quickly. Even if they show signs of fatigue or look to be lethargic, this can help very quickly!
I hope this helps! I've attached a few images of the tank that I saw at the vet as well as the finished product of my own tank that was built with the items listed above.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Interesting, but wow! I would never put my pet through that. If one of my animals gets to that point, it’s time to say goodbye. This seems more for the owner that what in the best interest of the cat (or dog).
It should be noted that there are different types of oxygen equipment. For the purpose of providing O2 into a container for a pet one must use "free flow" equipment.
Oxygen tanks can be "pulse" or free flow. Pulse O2 must used with a nasal canula that is placed securily in the nose. It is triggered by inhalation to provide a pulse of O2. This is what most portable O2 concentrators do. They run on a battery and only for a limited time, which varies depending on liters/min. flow. Small tanks that are worn with shoulder straps or backpacks are also pulse. Consequently neither will meet the needs of providing O2 to your pet.
Larger tanks like the ones seen on wheeled carts are free flow. Free flow is what must be used when filling any container one is placing a pet into. Stationary concentrators are also free flow and therefore suitible for filling the pets container. These are electric and don't require batteries and do not run out of O2 like the tanks. They can be rented or purchased. Both of these systems also have the advantage of being able to run at a higher liter/min.
While most O2 requires a Vet's prescription to obtain, I'm pretty sure I've seen used stationary concentrators for sale by individuals on web sites like Ebay, Craig's list. In this transaction no prescription would be needed. Items like tubing or connectors can be purchased at medical supply stores by anyone.
While stationary concentrators can be adapted to refill cylanders, do not get this for your pet as they only fill the small pulse type cylanders.
Last edited by Young Chester; 08-27-2018 at 07:56 AM..
Reason: more info
Interesting, but wow! I would never put my pet through that. If one of my animals gets to that point, it’s time to say goodbye. This seems more for the owner that what in the best interest of the cat (or dog).
Otto: most of the work/trouble was for the human to make the oxygen tent. All the pet needs to do is be inside it, and it might help.
Your'e Not putting pet thru a lot. " I would never put my pet thru that" seems a weak argument against building it. It cost me less that $100. and an hours work. I'd do it for my pets.
Otto: most of the work/trouble was for the human to make the oxygen tent. All the pet needs to do is be inside it, and it might help.
Your'e Not putting pet thru a lot. " I would never put my pet thru that" seems a weak argument against building it. It cost me less that $100. and an hours work. I'd do it for my pets.
If your pet has such difficulty breathing that it needs to be in an oxygen tent, yes, you ARE putting him through unnecessary suffering. Certainly, you can make your own pet endure that kind of life, I'm just saying I'd never do it to one of mine.
Thank you so much... I have a pet mouse with respiratory problems, and it is terrible to see him struggle to breathe (the meds haven't been effective). I know the gold standard emergency treatment is treatment in an oxygen chamber until the symptoms recede, but financially I just can't afford it. This DIY solution I can do, and then I have it at home for whenever it is needed. Also, it is extremely stressful for a mice to get to the vet, and there isn't much a vet can do for a mouse in most cases (I already have the antibiotics from previous spells of respiratory illness), so if I can he can get emergency treatment at home then that would be much better.
To the people who in this thread who claim that "it is cruel to keep a cat in a container" "poor quality of life" etc, yes it would be if that was the case... but that is not the point. This is emergency treatment, same as when your vet puts the animal in an oxygen chamber to alleviate acute respiratory symptoms (animal struggle to breathe)... Just this is DIY so he can do it at home when needed, which is both cheaper and less stressful for the animal (because it doesn't need to go to the vet for it). No one is going to "keep" any animal in the plastic container, it is a therapeutic treatment not a lifestyle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sveg15
Hello!
While searching for how to build an oxygen chamber/tank for my cat I found a few options but all were claiming that they spent $1,000+…. there is a MUCH more affordable option I'd like to share! It is a very simple solution for an extremely expensive condition.
TOTAL PRICE FOR MY TANK: $75
In my case, my kitty has Congestive Heart Failure, she is only 3 but it is extremely severe. I have spent an exuberant amount of money on her hospital visits, while her medications aren't bad I have been hit with $1,500+ in bills on certain occasions and an overnight visit to the animal hospital to receive oxygen runs on a low of $300.
During her last visit the vet suggested that due to the severity and type of her condition she was the perfect candidate for a homemade oxygen tank. As soon as they give her an extra dose of one of her medications (in her case- Lasix), it kicked in while she was in the animal hospital oxygen tank and within minutes she was 70% better. All she needed was a few hours in the tank and she was back to normal eating, running around, purring, etc.
You will need a prescription from your vet for a medical oxygen tank. You can go through any local Homecare facility, etc. They will provide you with all the tubing you need as well as thorough instructions, it is super simple and works the same as it would for a human. The prescription is for a very low dosage so the tank can last up to 11hrs if used on the lower suggested setting. I paid $50 flat per month for the tank and its $15 per refill.
THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
(1)- Large clear plastic tupperware from Walmart, Target, etc. CLear so the pet can see through, make sure it has a snap on top of some sort and enough room for the animal to move around in.
(1) Brass Adaptor (I purchased mine at home depot, anything similar to this will do the job. The vet used a plastic one). The oxygen hose will be fitting on this to make sure to purchase the correct size. Home Depot can help you if you bring the hose in. Mine needed a 1.5in size.
NOTE: You will need either a bolt or a wire securing device that fits on one end of this
1. Make a hole in the container on one side to fit the adaptor securely
2. Place the adaptor through the hole and secure on the other side with bolt or wire secure band, etc.
*Make sure there isn't any extra space around the adaptor or you will need to add some putty around the hole to keep the oxygen from leaking out of the tank excessively
3. Attach oxygen hose to adaptor, if you purchase the brass kind like the one listed above you simple stick the oxygen hose right over the rigid area and it fits snug and is secure
4. Make a bunch of holes in the top of the container (approx. 1/8inch or so)- this is for venting, if you find you need more later make them larger or add more holes. You MUST make enough, they don't want to feel trapped and the oxygen needs to release
5. Make a nice little bed for your pet, turn the oxygen tank on to the appropriate setting (listed on the prescription, the Homecare facility will show you how to do this and you can also look on YouTube if you forget the basics of how to turn the tank on
6. Let the tank fill for 5-10min before placing the animal inside
7. Place them in, secure the top and there you go!
___________________
* * * * * * * * * *
I've spoken with 3 vets that have taken care of my kitty for the past year and also a specialist who builds medical oxygen tanks for a living and this is exactly what I was told to do and it is the absolute best and most affordable option to help out my fluffy little girl. I let her try this out a few times to get used to the idea to alleviate stress when the tank is really needed and she seems fine with it.
She is in the safety of her own home, can relax, and most importantly… she can BREATH! Her condition is very severe so this will only work for her for so long but I would say this is worth a shot for anyone who's pet is small enough to build this and has a heart or breathing condition that they are often in need of some extra oxygen quickly. Even if they show signs of fatigue or look to be lethargic, this can help very quickly!
I hope this helps! I've attached a few images of the tank that I saw at the vet as well as the finished product of my own tank that was built with the items listed above.
Like to thank sveg15 for their post and info on making the oxygen chamber. I have a cat with severe asthma and have made a chamber for her using his guidelines. Not only has it saved trips to the vet but my cat understands what the chamber is for and will go to it when she needs help
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Easiest O2 chamber
