[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.

*Example: Sterilite 66 Quart Latch Box- Blue Eclipse, Set of 6 - Walmart.com

(1) Oxygen hose (provided with tank company in most cases)

*Example: Oxygen Tubing - 7' Crush Resistant

(1) Oxygen tank (mine came with a stand with wheels which was very handy and stands on it's own)

*Example:https://preciseflight.com/general-av...ygen-cylinder/

(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

*Example: Watts 3/8 in. x 1/2 in. Brass Barb x MIP Adapter-LF A300A - The Home Depot


***************
INSTRUCTIONS:

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!!!!

[QuilterChick]

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.

*Example: Sterilite 66 Quart Latch Box- Blue Eclipse, Set of 6 - Walmart.com

(1) Oxygen hose (provided with tank company in most cases)

*Example: Oxygen Tubing - 7' Crush Resistant

(1) Oxygen tank (mine came with a stand with wheels which was very handy and stands on it's own)

*Example:https://preciseflight.com/general-av...ygen-cylinder/

(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

*Example: Watts 3/8 in. x 1/2 in. Brass Barb x MIP Adapter-LF A300A - The Home Depot


***************
INSTRUCTIONS:

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!!!!

You should post this information in the PETS forum to cover more territory; good information for pet owners everywhere.

[Attila the Huff]

Hi! Thanks for posting these instructions for everyone. My vet suggested that I build one of these for hedgehogs, we have a rescue and the last few that have come in were in respiratory distress. The ER for pets here charges $160 just to walk in the door, 20m in an oxygen tank costs even more, augh.

How much oxygen do you give your cat? The dial on the tank I bought goes in .25 increments. I didn't get any instructions from the vet today, I can call tomorrow of course but wanted to pop a sick little one in tonight. I can't find any suggestions at all online for how much to turn the dial. I know most small pets are similar, though, could you give me a hand? Much appreciated!

[wpme]

You can get compressed oxygen at any Welding Suppy store with NO prescription needed, and in much larger bottles, if desired, than medical oxygen, and I'm betting for less $$. Technically it is industrial grade oxygen, versus medical grade, but I'd be surprised if there was much difference past a final filtration and a lot of documentation. I, and many other welders have huffed industrial oxygen the morning after imbibing too much alcohol, with no ill effects

I have also noticed medical oxygen bottles at welding supply houses, no idea if they rent them to anyone, or just to the home medical suppliers.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by sveg15

In my case, my kitty has Congestive Heart Failure, she is only 3 but it is extremely severe.

Maybe i'm old school and spent too much time on the farm but an animal with this type of condition would/should be humanely put down rather than spend its life confined to a small box.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by sveg15

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!!!!

I feel so sorry for that cat in your first thumbnail pic,you cant seriously think keeping a cat pent up for years in that tiny enclosure is in any way the humane course of action.

[QuilterChick]

It's totally cruel to do that to an animal. You are doing it for yourself, not for the animal. This kitty has NO quality of life.

Whatever crackpot veterinarian suggested this is definitely on the crazy train.

[Wartrace]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Maybe i'm old school and spent too much time on the farm but an animal with this type of condition would/should be humanely put down rather than spend its life confined to a small box.

I have to agree; the quality of life isn't all that great for the poor animal.

[ajl577]

Jambo101, you DO realize that this is an emergency situation basis only and that the cat doesn't live in that box right??......This is why its important to read rather than jump to conclusions. I applaud the internet for being a vast conveyor of information but too many people pay too little attention to notice the information in its entirety. Anyway, my bird experienced acute respiratory dyspnea and the vet put my bird into a oxygen cage much like that one for about 8hrs, only to charge me $800......the bird was fine the next day but I was told that sometimes that is all the treatment an animal needs in order to pull through. Knowing this, we should be thanking sveg15 for being willing to share rather than raking desperate pet owners over the coals and overcharging the way some vets do.

[soonja.smith]

I just wish that I had found this out sooner. My cat Eliza died for lack of oxygen last week. She had pneumonia and bronchitis. She spent 2 nights at a 24 hr emergency care hospital. During those 2 nights, her condition got worse. My husband and I believe that leaving Eliza alone at the hospital in a cold oxygen chamber might have killed her. We were allowed to visit her twice a day but only for a few minutes. During those visits, Eliza was so stressed out that she couldn't even recognized us. I am sure this will save some lives! Thanks!