Oxygen Support for Pets
in Newfoundland

Is Your Pet Having Trouble Breathing?

Breathing problems in dogs and cats can worsen quickly. Seek urgent veterinary care if your pet is experiencing:

• Rapid, shallow, or laboured breathing
• Open-mouth breathing, especially in a cat
• Wheezing or unusually noisy breathing
• Stretching the neck to breathe
• Severe or continuous coughing
• Blue, grey, white, or very pale gums
• Collapse, weakness, or loss of consciousness
• Restlessness, panic, or inability to settle
• Excessive abdominal movement while breathing
• Sudden breathing problems following an injury or allergic reaction

Do not wait to see whether serious breathing difficulties improve on their own. Contact a veterinary team immediately.

Urgent Respiratory Care for Dogs and Cats

When a pet is not receiving enough oxygen, rapid assessment and supportive care are essential. Our urgent care team can evaluate your pet, provide short-term oxygen support, and determine the appropriate next steps.

Depending on your pet’s condition, care may include:

• Immediate assessment of breathing and circulation
• Short-term oxygen administration
• Airway support when medically necessary
• Diagnostic testing to investigate the cause
• Medication or other supportive treatment
• Stabilization before transfer to a 24-hour emergency hospital or specialty facility

The type of oxygen support and treatment provided will depend on your pet’s symptoms, examination findings, and overall condition.

Conditions That May Require Oxygen Support

Difficulty breathing is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Oxygen therapy may be used as part of urgent care for pets affected by:

• Respiratory infections or pneumonia
• Severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
• Heart-related conditions affecting breathing
• Trauma or chest injuries
• Airway obstruction or choking
• Smoke or irritant inhalation
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Complications following a seizure
• Other conditions that reduce oxygen levels

Diagnostic tests may be recommended once your pet is stable enough to help identify the underlying cause.

How We Provide Oxygen Support

Oxygen therapy is used to increase the amount of oxygen available to a pet experiencing respiratory distress. After assessing your dog or cat, the veterinarian will determine which form of support is appropriate.

Flow-By Oxygen

Flow-by oxygen is delivered close to your pet’s nose and mouth. It may be used as an immediate, non-invasive way to provide supplemental oxygen while minimizing stress and handling.

Oxygen Through Intubation

In more serious cases, a breathing tube may be placed when medically necessary. Intubation helps secure the airway and allows the veterinary team to provide more controlled respiratory support.