• Oxygen supplementation is essential. Provide 100% oxygen to all trauma patients and any patient that is showing signs of respiratory distress, until proven unnecessary.4 Oxygen cages (makeshift or manufactured) and oxygen tents are impractical or not available in the typical HCP situation, so evacuate the MWD to the supporting veterinary facility if long-term oxygen therapy is necessary.
  • Conscious MWDs: Use face mask or “blow by” technique (hold end of oxygen tubing or circuit as close to nose and mouth as possible or attach to muzzle) using high flow rates of 10-15 L/min.5 Use caution; ensure handler has control of the MWD at all times. Agitated, distressed or dyspneic MWDs will bite and can cause serious injury to the HCP or MWD handler. Figure 2 shows simple yet effective techniques to safely provide “blow-by” oxygen supplementation to muzzled MWDs. While not the ideal method, acceptable inspired oxygen concentrations of 40-70% are achieved with this technique,5 which may be life-saving.
  • Unconscious MWDs: Use tracheal insufflation, orotracheal intubation, or tracheostomy (see Table 4, Table 5, and Table 6 for techniques).

 

Figure 24.  Administration of Supplemental Oxygen.4

Figure 24 shows techniques for safe administration of supplemental oxygen to conscious or fractious muzzled dogs.

Figure 24.  Administration of Supplemental Oxygen.