Special Oxygen Masks for Pets

When there is a house fire, while rescuing people is top priority, of course, but usually firefighters will often take the risk of bringing out pets too. After all, pets are an integral part of the family, and many people treat them just like their own kids. And losing them in a fire can add to the trauma of a family already having to deal with the fallout of the damage caused by a fire.

Using Masks Meant for Humans to Revive Animals

While hitherto rescue personnel have been using oxygen masks meant for humans to resuscitate pets, since they do not fit well on the faces of the animals, they often did not work. In fact, without special masks for animals, rescue personnel have often been forced to try out novel ways to revive animals that may have been affected by smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning. For instance, there was the case of an innovative firefighter who created a makeshift oxygen mask by poking a hole into a Styrofoam cup and inserting the air hose into one end. Some paramedics have tried placing the oxygen hose right next to the affected animal’s snout. These attempts were generally not effective. Some rescuers have even resorted to ‘mouth-to-snout’ resuscitation.

The trouble about resuscitating animals, especially big ones like St. Bernards or Great Danes, which have inhaled large amounts of poisonous gases in a fire, is that unless they are given a large and concentrated dosage of oxygen, resuscitation efforts are generally not effective.

Using Special Oxygen Masks for Resuscitating Pets

However, from henceforth pets will have higher chances of recovering from the effects of being caught in a fire. A special kind of oxygen mask, which has long been used by veterinary doctors to deliver gas anesthesia and oxygen to pet animals, is now being incorporated by fire departments across the country. This trend was triggered off in Florida, when a dog’s death due to smoke inhalation sparked off a drive to equip fire departments with special oxygen masks for pets.

So, from henceforth, apart from their usual paraphernalia, such as fire helmets, axes, and gloves, firefighters will also be carrying these special oxygen masks for pets with them. In fact, in the hope of saving dogs, cats and other animals that get caught in fires that break out in homes, the manufacturers of pet products as well as animal advocacy groups, local humane societies, the private sector, and other groups are donating money in order to purchase these masks and are supplying fire departments all across the country with them. Apart from fire departments, zoos and vets are also buying these masks in bulk.

Special Oxygen Masks for Pets Available in Different Sizes

These cone-shaped masks, which are available in three sizes, can be fitted snugly on the animals’ snouts, and have been found to be very effective in resuscitating pets suffering from inhaling smoke. Because of the various sizes they come in they can be used on different types and sizes of pet animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and even birds. These special oxygen masks for pets are equipped with a rubber ring, which creates an effective seal, thus allowing pure oxygen to be pumped into the noses of cats and dogs.

Also, rescuers do not need any particular training to use these special oxygen masks for pets, since they are quite simple to use. The mask just has to be fixed over the snout of the animal, and they are hooked on to an oxygen tank, which forces pure oxygen into the animal. So, as long as the animal is breathing, these masks can be very effective.

According to estimations, about 60 million households in the US have pets, however there are no reliable statistics about how many of them die due to house fires. When a fire breaks out, pets usually have a tendency of hiding, resulting in the owners losing precious time by hunting for them. Now, with firefighters armed with these special oxygen masks for pets, they are encouraging people to get out of their burning houses as fast as they can, and leave the rescuing of their pets to the firefighters.