VibraVM Treatment for Small Animals

Treating Small Animals –

Cats and Small Dogs

Mechanism of Action

The VibraVM™ acoustic airway clearance percussor generates sound waves which are directed through the airway to the lungs to liquefy and dislodge mucus and other secretions in the lungs for expulsion. This has been called “internal coupage.”

The basis of how it works is resonance, a physics principle of sound or other sources which generate vibrational frequencies. As the VibraVM™ moves upward through a range of frequencies, there will be, at some time, a matching frequency of either the mucus plugs or lung structures. When this match occurs, the mucus will resonate or vibrate. This is also the case for the mucus layer covering the cilia.

Another important principle is that the larger airways have lower frequencies, and the smaller ones have higher frequencies. The application of this principle means that the larger airways or upper respiratory system should be cleared first, then the smaller or lower respiratory system may be cleared. You will start with the lowest possible frequency to clear the sinuses and upper respiratory system, then over time move to the higher frequencies to work down into the lower respiratory system with its smaller structures. For this you use the auto Modes, Low, Medium or High, whose names denote their various pre-programmed ranges.

Massage mode produces random white noise which acts as a bronchodilator. The gentle pulses massage and relax the long smooth airway muscles, opening the airways.

Treatment Procedures

For the VibraVM™ we recommend 7 minutes of Low, Medium or High mode, plus 2 minutes of Massage mode for each treatment, which may be increased for some conditions.

In general you start with Low mode twice a day to clear the upper respiratory system, and after a period of time move to Medium, and finally the High mode to clear the lower respiratory system and smallest lung structures.

Do not give more than two treatments per day, generally morning and evening, unless advised to do otherwise. The animal needs time to expel the loosened mucus and time to heal. Giving more that two treatments a day can cause irritation.

Treatment Steps:

• Restrain the animal. For cats we recommend papoosing, which is gently but securely wrapping a towel around the cat.

• Select the mode you plan to use; the Mode button rotates through Low, Medium, High and Massage.

Generally it is best to start in Low mode. You can pause at any time by turning the device off, and then back on when ready to proceed.

• Auto mode indicator lights for this unit:

Low mode – Low light

Medium mode – Low and High lights together

High mode – High light

• Generally it is best to start in Low mode. You can pause at any time by turning the device off, and then back on when ready to proceed.

• Select the appropriate attachment and apply to the animal’s nostril or muzzle.
  • Nose Mask with the small animal cover: This is usually the best choice for cats, or small dogs. The small animal cover should be in place over the nose mask. Gently place the animal's entire nose into the center hole of the small animal cover.
  • Nose Mask: Place the nose mask gently, but firmly over the nostril or for small animals over their muzzle.
  • Nose Piece: Insert the Nose Piece into or over either of the animal’s nostrils. Generally this is not used for very small animals. However, one veterinarian placed the VibraVM™ with the nose piece attachment under a blanket where a puppy had burrowed, close enough to direct the sound to the little guy’s nose.

• Volume setting: The unit ships at full volume. For cats it is best to use half volume. There is a toggle action to switch between full and half volume. With the device turned off, press and hold the Mode button. Continue to hold the Mode button and press the power button to turn the unit on. All five of the Progress indicators lights will light, then LED 1 will light for half volume or LED 5 will light for full volume. Release the Mode button returning the device to its previous mode.

Acclimate the animal: With the device off, place the nose mask with or without the cover, over the nostril or muzzle. Remove it and place it again several times. You may want to let the animal hear, feel and smell the device with it both off and on. Reset the device by rotating through the Modes before beginning the treatment. Now place the attachment as before and turn the device on.

• During the treatment, let the animal breathe in and out naturally.
• A treatment is 7 minutes in your choice of auto mode, plus 2 minutes of Massage mode. Auto modes turn off automatically after 7 minutes, and Massage mode after 2 minutes. If you want more of the Massage mode, simply start the VibraVM™ again.
• When finished, properly clean and disinfect the attachment with all its parts. Wipe off the outside of the device body with an alcohol swab and return it to its protective carrying case.
• After treatment, the animal must be allowed to put its head down to clear its lungs. Drainage may continue for over an hour after completing treatment.

VibraVM™ Treatment Protocols

Treatment protocols are disease specific and may vary from animal to animal. The following are meant to be general guidelines for cats and small dogs. Please contact us for advice for kittens and puppies.

A treatment is defined as your choice of a 7 minute auto mode, followed by at least 2 minutes of Massage mode.

Chronic Lung Disease or Asthma

In cases of chronic lung disease, such as COPD/RAO or emphysema, for most animals it takes 4 to 6 weeks to clear out the lungs, then you are able to move to a maintenance schedule. In general you start with the lowest frequency twice a day to clear the upper respiratory system and over 4 or so weeks move upward in frequency to clear the lower respiratory system and after a period of time start to space out the treatments. In almost all cases, you will treat no more than twice a day for the first two weeks, then once a day or less after that. Your animal can also be weaned off of medications for its respiratory problems during this time, under the supervision of either our staff veterinarian or another veterinarian.

The main considerations are what auto mode to use, how often to give the treatments per day or week, and when to change to a different auto mode.

If your animal is experiencing asthmatic symptoms, then increase the Massage mode up to 6 minutes.

Step 1: Use the lowest frequency to clear the largest airways.

Start treating twice a day if possible on VibraVM™ Low mode. Follow the 7 minute Low mode with 2 minutes of Massage mode. If you can't treat twice a day, do what you can; it will just take a little longer overall to clear out the lungs.

Time Frame: Continue this for a week.

Observe how your animal responds. If you see coughing, sneezing, nasal drainage or other signs of mucus clearing, continue with Low mode for a longer period of time. If you see the signs diminish sooner, and then move to Step 2.

Step 2: Introduce the next higher frequency range to move into smaller airways. Treat twice a day if possible.

You can move to or alternate with the next highest frequency range. Use VibraVM™ Medium mode, or alternate between Low and Medium modes, followed by 2 minutes of Massage mode.

Time Frame: Continue this for a week. Again observe how your animal responds and if warranted move to Step 3 sooner.

Step 3: Introduce the highest frequency range to move into the smallest airways. Use High mode or alternate between Medium and High. Again follow with at least 2 minutes of Massage mode.

Reduce your frequency of treatment to once per day.

Time Frame: Continue this for a week. Again observe how your animal responds and if warranted move to Step 4 sooner.

Step 4: Now use High mode, followed by 2 minutes of Massage mode.

Reduce your frequency of treatment by once every other day.

Time Frame: Continue this for a week. You should be ready to move to the maintenance schedule.

Maintenance Schedule:

Generally, you will want to continue to treat once or twice per week on either Medium or High, with 2 minutes of Massage.

Anytime you observe more respiratory symptoms, treat more often until the symptoms subside, again returning to Low mode to start for a few treatments, then progressing to Medium and High modes, followed by 2 minutes of Massage. Be especially observant during times when there can be more allergens, such as spring or autumn.

Wheezing heard: If after several weeks of treatments, you still hear wheezing and the lungs are clear of mucus with a normal respiration rate with little or no coughing, then increase the Massage mode up to 6 minutes following your choice of auto mode treatment. The VibraVM™ treatments have cleared the mucus out of the animal's lungs, but it is still experiencing inflammation of the airways themselves, which causes thickening, and constriction and possibly spasms of the long smooth airway muscles. Increasing the Massage mode time should help.

Acute Infections

For acute conditions, such as pneumonia or influenza, it is best to consult with a veterinarian.

Start treating twice a day. Use VibraVM™ Low mode to start, then after 1 - 3 days or so, move to Medium mode for another 1 – 3 days then move to High mode. Always follow the auto mode with at least 2 minutes of Massage mode.

Follow your veterinarian's advice on the use of antibiotics or other medications, as the VibraVM™ works well as an adjunct therapy.

In general, acute infection, especially with the advantage of the VibraVM™ may clear in 5 - 14 days. If VibraVM™ treatments are started at the first signs of infections, medications may not be required.

Applicable Model

While the mechanisms of actions are the identical, these treatment procedures are for the VibraVM™ only, i.e., not for our Pro model, the VibraVM Pro™.