PHYSIOTHERAPY | REHABILITATION | HYDROTHERAPY | HBOT
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Dogs and Cats in Singapore
If you’re looking for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for your pet in Singapore, RehabVet is proud to be one of the few veterinary facilities in the region offering this advanced treatment. HBOT is a cutting-edge medical therapy that delivers 100% pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure inside a specially designed chamber, dramatically increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in your pet’s blood and tissues.
The science behind HBOT is compelling. Under normal conditions, oxygen is primarily carried by red blood cells. During HBOT, the increased pressure forces significantly more oxygen to dissolve directly into the blood plasma — up to 10–15 times normal levels. This oxygen-rich plasma can penetrate tissues that compromised red blood cells cannot reach, including swollen, damaged, or poorly vascularised areas. The result is accelerated healing, reduced inflammation, enhanced immune function, and improved outcomes for a wide range of conditions.
Originally developed for treating decompression sickness in human divers, HBOT has been adopted by veterinary medicine with growing enthusiasm. Research published in veterinary journals demonstrates its effectiveness in treating chronic wounds, post-surgical healing complications, neurological conditions, snake bites, smoke inhalation, and many other conditions in dogs, cats, and other companion animals.
At RehabVet, HBOT is integrated into our comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, working synergistically with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture to give your pet the best possible chance of recovery.
HBOT Process and Duration
Understanding the HBOT process helps pet owners feel confident and informed about their pet’s treatment:
Pre-treatment assessment: Before beginning HBOT, our veterinary team conducts a thorough evaluation to ensure your pet is a suitable candidate. We review medical history, current medications, and any conditions that might affect treatment safety.
Chamber preparation: Your pet is gently placed inside our veterinary-grade hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The chamber is transparent, allowing your pet to see out and our team to monitor them continuously throughout the session. Soft bedding is provided for comfort.
Pressurisation (approximately 10 minutes): The chamber pressure is gradually increased over about 10 minutes to allow your pet’s body to adjust comfortably. This gentle approach minimises any ear pressure discomfort — similar to the sensation humans experience during air travel.
Treatment phase (30–60 minutes): Once the target pressure is reached (typically 1.5–2.0 ATA — atmospheres absolute), your pet breathes 100% oxygen for the prescribed duration. Most pets rest quietly or sleep during this phase. Our team monitors your pet continuously via the transparent chamber.
Depressurisation (approximately 10 minutes): The pressure is gradually reduced back to normal over about 10 minutes, ensuring your pet’s comfort throughout.
Post-treatment: Your pet can typically return home immediately after the session. Some pets may appear slightly drowsy, which is a normal response.
A typical treatment protocol involves daily or every-other-day sessions for 5–20 treatments, depending on the condition being treated. Your veterinarian will recommend a specific protocol based on your pet’s individual needs. Contact us via WhatsApp to learn more.
Benefits of HBOT for Pets
Dramatically accelerated wound healing: HBOT promotes the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), stimulates collagen production, and enhances fibroblast activity — all essential for tissue repair. Chronic, non-healing wounds that have failed to respond to conventional treatment often show remarkable improvement with HBOT.
Powerful anti-inflammatory effects: HBOT reduces tissue swelling and inflammation by constricting blood vessels while simultaneously maintaining tissue oxygenation. This paradoxical effect makes it uniquely effective at reducing oedema without compromising oxygen delivery.
Enhanced infection control: High oxygen levels are toxic to anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments). HBOT also enhances the bacteria-killing ability of white blood cells and improves the effectiveness of certain antibiotics, making it a powerful adjunct to antimicrobial therapy.
Neurological protection and recovery: HBOT reduces brain and spinal cord swelling after trauma, supports nerve repair, and may promote neuroplasticity. It shows particular promise for pets recovering from spinal injuries, head trauma, and stroke-like events.
Post-surgical healing support: HBOT can significantly improve outcomes after surgery, particularly for complex orthopaedic procedures, skin grafts, and surgeries in poorly vascularised areas. It reduces post-operative swelling and accelerates tissue repair.
Reduced need for amputation: In cases of severe crush injuries, compromised limbs, or failing skin grafts, HBOT can sometimes salvage tissue that would otherwise require amputation — a life-changing benefit for affected pets.
Snake bite and envenomation treatment: HBOT can reduce tissue necrosis and swelling from venomous snake bites, potentially preserving tissue that would otherwise be destroyed. This is particularly relevant in Singapore and the wider region where venomous snakes are present.
Conditions Treated with HBOT
Chronic and non-healing wounds: Wounds that fail to respond to conventional treatment — including surgical wound dehiscence, pressure sores, and burns — are among the most common indications for veterinary HBOT.
Post-surgical healing complications: HBOT supports healing after complex surgeries, particularly when tissue viability is compromised.
Severe infections: Deep tissue infections, osteomyelitis (bone infections), and anaerobic infections respond well to HBOT’s antimicrobial effects.
Snake bites and envenomation: HBOT reduces tissue necrosis and swelling, potentially saving affected limbs and tissue.
Smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning: HBOT rapidly displaces carbon monoxide from haemoglobin and provides critical oxygen to damaged tissues.
Spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions: HBOT’s neuroprotective effects support recovery from IVDD, traumatic spinal injuries, and other neurological conditions.
Traumatic injuries and crush injuries: Severe soft tissue trauma benefits from HBOT’s ability to reduce swelling, fight infection, and promote tissue survival.
Pancreatitis: Emerging evidence suggests HBOT may reduce inflammation and support recovery in acute pancreatitis cases.
Post-radiation tissue damage: HBOT can help repair tissue damaged by radiation therapy, which is increasingly used in veterinary oncology.
Compromised skin grafts and flaps: HBOT enhances the survival of skin grafts and surgical flaps by promoting angiogenesis and improving tissue oxygenation.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Oxygen toxicity: One of the main risks of HBOT is oxygen toxicity, which can occur if the body is exposed to excessive oxygen levels. At RehabVet, we carefully control treatment duration and pressure to stay well within safe parameters. Our protocols are based on established veterinary guidelines, and our team monitors patients continuously throughout each session.
Barotrauma: Rapid pressure changes can potentially cause discomfort in the ears or sinuses, similar to what humans experience during air travel. We minimise this risk through slow, gradual pressurisation and depressurisation. Our veterinary team is trained to recognise and respond to any signs of discomfort immediately.
Claustrophobia: Some pets may initially feel anxious in the enclosed chamber. Our transparent chamber design allows visual contact, and most pets adapt quickly and rest comfortably. For particularly anxious patients, we use gradual familiarisation techniques and, when necessary, mild sedation under veterinary guidance.
Contraindications: HBOT may not be suitable for pets with untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung), certain types of respiratory disease, or extremely unstable conditions. Our veterinary team conducts thorough screening to ensure HBOT is safe for each patient.
Overall, HBOT has an excellent safety profile when administered by trained professionals using proper equipment and protocols. Serious adverse effects are rare, and the potential benefits for appropriate candidates far outweigh the minimal risks.
Frequently Asked Questions About HBOT for Pets
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dogs?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for dogs is a therapeutic treatment where your pet is placed inside a specialised pressure chamber and breathes 100% pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. This dramatically increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma — up to 10–15 times normal levels — allowing oxygen to reach tissues that are swollen, damaged, or have compromised blood supply. The enhanced oxygenation accelerates healing, reduces inflammation, fights infection, and supports the body’s natural repair mechanisms. At RehabVet, HBOT is used as part of comprehensive treatment plans for a wide range of conditions.
Does oxygen therapy work for dogs?
Yes, HBOT can be highly beneficial for dogs with appropriate conditions. By dramatically increasing tissue oxygen levels, HBOT accelerates wound healing, reduces inflammation and swelling, enhances the body’s ability to fight infections, supports neurological recovery, and promotes tissue repair after trauma or surgery. Research and clinical experience demonstrate positive outcomes across a wide range of conditions. Your RehabVet veterinarian will assess whether HBOT is appropriate for your dog’s specific condition during a thorough consultation.
How long does a dog need oxygen therapy?
The duration of HBOT treatment depends on the severity and type of condition. A typical treatment protocol involves 5–20 sessions, administered daily or every other day. Each individual session lasts approximately 60–90 minutes total (including 10 minutes pressurisation, 30–60 minutes at treatment pressure, and 10 minutes depressurisation). Acute conditions like snake bites may require only 3–5 intensive sessions, while chronic wounds or neurological conditions may benefit from 15–20 sessions. Your veterinarian will recommend a specific protocol tailored to your pet’s needs.
What disease does hyperbaric oxygen therapy cure?
HBOT is not a standalone cure, but it is a powerful therapeutic tool that significantly supports healing and recovery. It is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan alongside conventional veterinary medicine, physiotherapy, and other rehabilitation modalities. Conditions that commonly benefit include chronic wounds, severe infections, snake bites, neurological injuries, smoke inhalation, post-surgical complications, and tissue that is at risk of dying due to compromised blood supply.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy speed up healing?
Yes, HBOT can significantly accelerate healing. By flooding tissues with oxygen at levels far above normal, HBOT stimulates angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), enhances collagen production, improves fibroblast function, and boosts the bactericidal capacity of white blood cells. These effects combine to create an optimal healing environment, particularly for tissues that are struggling to heal under normal oxygen conditions. Chronic wounds that have resisted conventional treatment for weeks or months often show marked improvement within days of starting HBOT.
What is the disadvantage of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
When administered by trained professionals using proper equipment and protocols, HBOT has an excellent safety profile. Potential risks include: mild ear discomfort during pressure changes (minimised by slow pressurisation), temporary drowsiness after treatment, and extremely rare oxygen toxicity (prevented by controlled treatment parameters). Serious adverse effects are uncommon. At RehabVet, we follow established veterinary HBOT protocols and monitor patients continuously throughout every session to ensure safety and comfort.
How long does hyperbaric oxygen therapy last?
A typical HBOT session at RehabVet lasts approximately 60–90 minutes total. This includes approximately 10 minutes for gradual pressurisation, 30–60 minutes at the prescribed treatment pressure breathing 100% oxygen, and approximately 10 minutes for gradual depressurisation. The treatment time at pressure varies depending on the condition being treated and your pet’s tolerance.
What is the success rate of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT has shown positive results across many conditions, with success rates varying by indication. Chronic wound healing shows some of the most impressive response rates, with many previously non-healing wounds achieving closure. Post-surgical recovery, snake bite treatment, and infection management also show consistently positive outcomes. Neurological conditions have more variable results depending on severity, but many patients show meaningful improvement. Your veterinarian can discuss realistic expectations for your pet’s specific condition.
What is the most common side effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
The most common side effects are mild and temporary: slight drowsiness after treatment and occasional ear pressure discomfort during pressurisation/depressurisation (similar to air travel). These resolve quickly on their own. In extremely rare cases with improper protocols, oxygen toxicity could occur — this is why professional administration with proper monitoring is essential. At RehabVet, our careful protocols and continuous monitoring make serious side effects exceptionally rare.
What is the risk of hyperbaric?
Potential risks include: barotrauma to the ears or sinuses from pressure changes (minimised by slow, gradual pressure adjustments); temporary near-sightedness (very rare, resolves after treatment course); oxygen toxicity if treatment parameters are exceeded (prevented by strict protocol adherence); and anxiety in claustrophobic patients (managed with our transparent chamber design and gradual familiarisation). All these risks are minimal when HBOT is performed by trained professionals, which is why we strongly advise against any non-professional administration.
What kind of issues does hyperbaric fix?
HBOT is used to treat: chronic and non-healing wounds; severe soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis; snake bites and envenomation; smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning; spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions; traumatic crush injuries; pancreatitis; post-surgical healing complications; compromised skin grafts and flaps; post-radiation tissue damage; and various inflammatory conditions. The versatility of HBOT stems from its fundamental mechanism — enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues — which benefits virtually any condition where tissue oxygenation is compromised.
Is hyperbaric oxygen healthy?
HBOT can be extremely beneficial as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Its ability to accelerate healing, fight infection, and reduce inflammation makes it a valuable addition to many treatment plans. However, it should always be administered by trained veterinary professionals and integrated with appropriate conventional treatment. At RehabVet, we use HBOT as one component of individualised, multimodal treatment plans — combining it with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and other modalities as indicated for each patient.
Who is not a candidate for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Pets with certain conditions may not be suitable HBOT candidates, including: untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung); certain types of severe, uncontrolled respiratory disease; extremely unstable patients requiring immediate life-saving intervention; and pets with certain types of untreated ear conditions. Our veterinary team conducts a thorough pre-treatment assessment to identify any contraindications and ensure HBOT is safe for your pet before beginning treatment.
How many times can you have hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
The number of sessions varies by condition: acute conditions like snake bites or smoke inhalation may require 3–5 sessions; post-surgical support typically involves 5–10 sessions; chronic wounds may need 10–20 sessions; and neurological conditions often benefit from 10–15 sessions or more. Sessions are usually administered daily or every other day for maximum benefit. Your RehabVet veterinarian will recommend a specific protocol and adjust it based on your pet’s response.
Can hyperbaric cause heart problems?
There is no direct evidence that HBOT causes heart problems. However, pets with certain pre-existing cardiac conditions may need modified treatment parameters. Our veterinary team screens all patients before beginning HBOT and tailors the treatment protocol to account for any underlying health conditions. If your pet has a known heart condition, please inform our team so we can make appropriate accommodations.
Is a hyperbaric chamber painful?
No, HBOT is not painful. The treatment itself involves simply breathing oxygen in a pressurised chamber — there are no needles, no surgery, and no discomfort from the oxygen itself. Some pets may experience mild ear pressure sensation during pressurisation (similar to what humans experience during air travel), but our slow, gradual pressure changes minimise this. Most pets rest quietly or sleep during their HBOT sessions, indicating a comfortable experience.
Why do pets feel tired after hyperbaric treatment?
Some pets may appear tired or sleepy after HBOT sessions. This is a normal response — the body is working actively during treatment, processing the enhanced oxygen levels and directing resources toward healing. This fatigue typically resolves within a few hours. Provide your pet with a quiet, comfortable resting place, fresh water, and allow them to rest as much as they wish after treatment. This post-treatment rest period is actually beneficial, as the body continues its healing processes.
Does hyperbaric oxygen help the brain?
Yes, HBOT can increase oxygen supply to the brain, which may support recovery from traumatic brain injury, stroke-like events, and other neurological conditions. The enhanced oxygenation can reduce cerebral oedema (brain swelling), support neuronal survival, and potentially promote neuroplasticity. While more research is needed specifically in veterinary patients, the neurological benefits of HBOT are well-documented in human medicine and clinical veterinary experience supports its use for neurological conditions in pets.
Does hyperbaric oxygen help sleep?
There is no direct evidence linking HBOT specifically to improved sleep. However, by supporting overall healing, reducing pain and inflammation, and improving general well-being, HBOT may indirectly contribute to better rest and sleep patterns. Pets in pain often sleep poorly, so effective pain management through HBOT and complementary therapies can lead to more restful sleep.
What are the symptoms of too much oxygen?
Signs of oxygen toxicity (extremely rare with proper protocols) can include: visual changes, restlessness, muscle twitching, nausea, altered breathing patterns, and in severe cases, seizures. At RehabVet, we prevent oxygen toxicity by strictly adhering to established treatment pressure and duration protocols, never exceeding safe parameters. Our team monitors patients continuously throughout every session, and treatment is immediately adjusted or discontinued if any concerning signs are observed. With proper professional administration, oxygen toxicity is exceptionally rare.