For twenty years, Snyder Mfg. Co. has provided a self-contained Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for small animals. It accommodates one or more animals requiring extraordinary life support for clinical assistance. The patient compartment is oxygen enriched with precise controls. Carbon dioxide is continually removed and humidity can be increased or decreased. Ports allow access for IV lines and probes for monitoring devices, and portholes allow the practitioner to reach in without opening the main doors. The animals under treatment are easy to view, as are the current environmental readings on the control panel.

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The Snyder concept of a controlled environment system is to provide an airtight enclosure, and to control and electronically monitor the atmosphere. A desired oxygen concentration range is set by the user and maintained automatically. Visual and audible alarms can be set to sound or flash when oxygen concentration does not stay within the set range for any reason. Oxygen enrichment is often indicated for pre-op situations, shocks, head injury, neurologic disease, tissue hypoxia, severe anemia, and numerous other symptoms and situations. The Snyder ICU provides a way to administer oxygen without adding stress to the patient and without spending time implementing alternative setups.

The center compartment houses the recirculating fans, carbon monoxide filter, heating element, cold coil, and oxygen sensor probe. The climate control system provides twelve air exchanges per minute with thermostatic control of temperature. Without heating or cooling capabilities patients can become under or overheated, thus undermining treatment or recovery. The autoclavable humidifier/nebulizer is conveniently situated in front of the recessed center compartment so it can be easily filled or cleaned. A dehumidify cycle can be used to remove moisture from the unit. When the desired humidity level has been reached, the cycle can be turned off.

The ICU will accommodate large dogs. With the grilled partition in place (see picture above), two animals occupy the patient compartment; the clear acrylic partition (see picture below), is put in place with an animal on the right side only, where less space is needed because of patients size. An IV stand is provided, and vinyl mats for the patient compartment floor are included.

Click on the picture to load a larger version for a closer look. The ICU Model 2060 is a narrower version, generally used when space is limited. Other sizes may be ordered to accomodate larger animals.

Construction is the same as our regular kennels: strong, durable, high pressure laminate-lined interiors. In addition, the ICU is easy to clean with rounded corners and raised no-drip front edges. The 3/8" thick, clear acrylic doors with anodized aluminum frame and air tight gaskets, have no post between them to interfere with moving a large patient in and out. There are three standard widths, and other configurations or sizes are available. The lower cages serve as a base for the main unit and are optional. The standard configuration for the base is a 32" tall cage with removable partitions, casters, card holders, and gates with a space at the top for an IV line. Each has a heated floor with thermostatic controls on the main panel for setting and reading the exact floor temperature. The ICU with base including casters is 68 1/4" tall and 28" deep. Allow 4" of space behind the unit for compressor ventilation and 12" at the right side for the flowmeter and oxygen hose, which are included. The ICU Model 2000H is 69 3/4" wide; the ICU Model 2060, 60" wide; and the ICU Model 2000F, 46 3/4" wide.