My method of choice for systemic medical oxygen administration in the horse is direct intravenous infusion. Given at a reasonable rate (1-3 ml/sec), no significant side effects are usually encountered. I have administered thousands of medical oxygen treatments in the last ten years with minimal reactions occuring only rarely.
The most common reaction is an “itchy” nose if the administration rate is too fast. I usually listen to the heart the first time a horse is given medical oxygen as the hyperoxygenation of the heart will slow the rate significantly and heart rates below 18 bpm can lead to syncope.
In athletic horses, one and two degree heart blocks are common and will be more frequent
during medical oxygen administration. I reduce the rate of administration if blocks occur more often than every four beats, as blood pressure drops occur with lowered rate and two-degree blocks.
The hyperoxygenation of the gut can cause increased peristalsis and some horses show a very transient gas pain reaction. This usually occurs within 20 minutes of administration and lasts for, at most, 10-15 minutes. We usually give Rescue Remedy and Nux Vomica homeopathic and entertain them, and the discomfort resolves quickly. Severely toxic horses may have skin detoxification signs in a few days.
Continued treatment creates phenomenal hair, mane, tail and hoof growth (up to ½” or more per month). All animals we have treated have benefited, and many have been “miracle cures”.
I have treated cases of laminitis, septic arthritis and tenosynovitis, lymphosarcoma, endocarditis, myocarditis, C.O.P.D., allergies, colic, lymphangitis, abscesses, osteomyelitis, fistulas (poll and wither), candidiasis, periodic opthalmia, melanoma, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, West Nile, EPM, herpes myelitis, sinusitis, tooth abscesses, soft tissue infections, bladder and kidney infections and chronic liver and kidney disease all with successful outcomes.
Many completely resolved very rapidly, even long standing cases that had been treated unsuccessfully with the best of "conventional medicine". The procedure is simple and most often horses will look very content during and after the treatment. They soon look forward to it – especially if the first treatment is given at the rate recommended, and not faster.
If an animal says his nose is very itchy or he seems uncomfortable, we may reduce the dosage and treatments. They usually tolerate the full recommended treatments. On occasions, I have treated animals with as many as 300 treatments over months with no side effects. Severe cases can be treated daily, but much older horses may want 2-3 days between treatments.
Even a few treatments will benefit, making other treatments more effective and healing. I often give a single medical oxygen treatment after an adjustment and acupuncture session as the effects of other modalities of therapy are enhanced and any muscle soreness from reorganization and remodelling from joint reorientation are resolved and healed more rapidly.
The effects of medical oxygen are enhanced by Procaine and pain control is profound in some cases. The concurrent use of antiinflammatories is contraindicated but is usually not needed, especially with homeopathic and/or neutraceuticals. One can use Palosein (orgotein) with medical oxygen.
... please contact me for more details.
Dr. Judith M. Shoemaker DVM
Director of MOSA Veterinary Department
© 2011
Email: jshoemaker@mosao2.org
|