We all feel helpless at times when our pet is struggling to heal. In many cases DXN carbon dioxide therapy can make a big difference. This guide talks about the conditions DXN is most able to help and it explains what happens in the body once DXN carbon dioxide is present.
Once you decide to try Dioxyfin DXN, you will have to ask your veterinarian to prescribe it for you. This is because it is made of carbon dioxide which the FDA requires must be manufactured and prescribed according to FDA regulations. These regulations require that carbon dioxide be used only by, or on the order of, a licensed veterinarian.
If your vet doesn’t have Dioxyfin DXN, give us a call or send us an email, and we’ll put you in touch with a vet in your area who can help.
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a disease of the joints that is seen in osteoarthritis, spondylosis, and degenerative joint disease. It is directly related to the health of the cartilage that lines the bones where they meet at a joint. If an injury or a simple strain to the joint alters the continuous revitalization of the cartilage, it can deteriorate. Inflammation ensues, and chemicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accelerate the breakdown of cartilage and stall its production. Once a joint is inflamed, the cartilage slowly degrades and causes pain and joint dysfunction.
Application of CO2 directly to the affected tissue and joints can reduce pain and swelling by reducing the inflammation and neutralizing the destructive actions of the ROS. Once this happens, the CO2 will generate a healthy environment for formation of new tissue and collagen as it activates the mechanism for angiogenesis and offers increased oxygen to the tissue.
The goal of carbon dioxide therapy is to create a healthy environment that supports the continuous renewal of joint tissue and collagen. When applied directly to the skin, the therapy achieves this goal by reducing inflammation in the joint, neutralizing the destructive actions of the ROS, supporting the formation of new blood vessels, and forcing the red blood cells to release their oxygen to the tissue.
INFECTIONS
Infections are a common problem that can be as simple as an open skin wound, a subcutaneous infection like cellulitis, or a very deep and complex infection like abscesses and non-healing wounds.
Wound Healing
There are three stages to normal healing. The first is the vascular inflammatory stage, in which the bleeding vessels contract, blood coagulates, and a mesh-like network called fibrin is generated as the initial structure for healing. The second stage of normal healing is the proliferative stage, in which new connective tissue called granulation tissue is formed through the development of new blood vessels, fibrous tissue, and epithelial cells. During the third stage, granulation tissue loses its cells and blood vessels to form scar tissue as the wounded area attempts to recover its normal tissue structure. Variation in the healing process is dictated by two factors: the inflammatory response of the cells that border the wound and the unpredictable blend of cytokines (a type of protein produced by the immune system) that influence the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of cells.
Carbon dioxide therapy enhances the healing process by improving blood flow to the tissue, forcing the release of oxygen from the red blood cells into the tissue, supporting the formation of new blood vessels, moderating the inflammatory response, and reducing the reactive oxygen species (chemicals that can accelerate the breakdown of cartilage and inhibit its production).
Cellulitis
Cellulitis occurs when the tissues that lie beneath the skin become inflamed and infected. It typically appears as severe swelling of a limb that can be enough to cause lameness. The lameness can develop quite rapidly, and it is normally quite severe. Most dogs even refuse to bear weight on the limb, which may swell to two to three times its normal size.
Carbon dioxide can treat cellulitis when it is applied directly to the affected limb, where it seeps into the infected tissue. It is so effective for three reasons. First, it increases both blood flow and the supply of oxygen to the infected tissue by forcing red blood cells to release their oxygen. This process enhances natural healing by helping white blood cells to kill bacteria and consume dead tissue more effectively. Second, carbon dioxide reduces inflammation and therefore pain and swelling as well. Third, it promotes the formation of fresh tissue by activating the process that creates new blood vessels and by preventing bacteria from multiplying.
Like the benefits of carbon dioxide in treating abscess, its benefits in treating cellulitis must be balanced with the possibility that it can block the inflammation that is needed to fight the infection.
Abscess
An abscess is a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed from tissues that have been broken down by infectious bacteria. The abscess must be drained before it will respond to therapy.
Carbon dioxide applied transdermally (through the skin) can be used to treat abscesses because it penetrates the affected area and reaches the underlying tissue, where it promotes normal healing by forming new blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the tissue, and forcing red blood cells to release their oxygen into the tissue. Oxygen is important because it enhances healing by helping white blood cells to destroy bacteria and consume dead tissue more effectively. In the process, oxygen also stifles the growth of damaging micro- organisms that arise in the absence of oxygen. Carbon dioxide also prevents bacteria from multiplying.
These benefits, however, must be balanced by the possibility that carbon dioxide can block the inflammation that is needed to fight the infection.
Non-Healing Wounds
Wounds can fail to heal when they are subjected to persistent tension and excessive pressure, when the blood flow to the area is poor, and when the edges are poorly positioned or aligned. Despite traditional care along with repeated irrigation and the removal of compromised tissue, these wounds are very slow to heal and are commonly re-injured. Carbon dioxide therapy accelerates the healing process and makes even non-healing wounds finally reach closure. Numerous case studies of dogs, horses, and elephants have showed that carbon dioxide therapy produces a significant, accelerated healing response even though many attempts at traditional therapy failed.
Post-Operative Wounds
These wounds are typically closed by aligning smooth edges. If the tissue is otherwise normal, and there is both limited tension on the tissue and adequate time for repair, nature does an excellent job of healing the wound. On the other hand, if the tissue is exposed to a pressure, licking, and pulling, it is best to hasten the healing as much as possible. Carbon dioxide should do this and create an earlier recovery. Highly reliable studies of laboratory animals have showed that carbon dioxide helps post-operative wounds, such as fractures, to heal more quickly.
BURNS
Healing burned tissue is challenging, especially if the skin is seriously injured. If a skin graft is used, the area must be clean and devoid of dead tissue. There are no published reports on carbon dioxide therapy for burns, although case studies have shown that it is a promising approach. In addition, there are reports that the therapy improves the injured area enough to accept a routine skin graft. This finding is not surprising, given the elevated blood flow, the increase of oxygen to the tissue, and the anti-inflammatory effects of carbon dioxide.
DOG BITES AND PUNCTURES
With appropriate care, dog bites will heal themselves. However, these wounds are sometimes slow to heal, and they fester. Minor wounds can become large wounds if they are not appropriately treated. Carbon dioxide therapy may hasten the healing of these minor wounds before they get worse. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide and encourage the formation new blood vessels and, eventually, new tissue. The additional oxygen that is released from the red blood cells when they come in contact with carbon dioxide can also make white blood cells more effective in destroying bacteria and consuming dead
Dioxyfin, as well as the sleeves used with the it, may be purchased only by licensed veterinarians.