Elevated temperatures and carbon dioxide levels may be a problem with this technique. Monitoring Most patients requiring oxygen supplementation will be hospitalized in an intensive care unit and observed closely due to the nature of the underlying disease. In addition it is important to closely monitor the typical vital parameters including temperature, pulse and respiratory rate. Specific evaluation for animals on oxygen supplementation includes thoracic auscultation, evaluation of mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, blood gas analysis and or pulse oximetry. This can potentially be a problem if animals are exposed to excessive levels of oxygen for long periods of time.
Oxygen toxicity is in part related to production of free radicals and induced membrane damage.
Oxygen toxicity is often difficult to recognize because the clinical signs can be similar to those seen with hypoxemia. Another possible complication can be seen in animals with chronic pulmonary disease. Due to desensitization of chemoreceptors to carbon dioxide, hypoxemia becomes the stimulus for respiratory drive. In these cases oxygen supplementation can lead to hypoventilation. Discontinuation of Therapy Knowing when and how to discontinue oxygen therapy can provide the clinician with a difficult dilemma.