Hemorrhagic shock in dogs: Comparison of treatment with shed blood alone versus shed blood plus Ringer's lactate: Intravascular pressures, cardiac output, oxygen consumption, arteriovenous oxygen differences, extracellular fluid PO 2, electrolyte changes, and survival rates

Abstract

The purpose of our study of hemorrhagic shock in dogs was to examine the efficacy of adding Ringer's lactate to shed blood replacement in increasing animal survival rates. The standard Wiggers' hemorrhagic shock technic was used in two groups of ten animals each. Intravascular pressures, cardiac output, oxygen consumption, arteriovenous oxygen differences, extracellular fluid PO 2 and pH, electrolyte changes, and survival rates were determined. There was a positive correlation between changes in cardiac output, central venous oxygen content, and PO 2 and extracellular fluid PO 2 as measured using subcutaneously implanted Silastic tubing and perforated plastic balls. Four of the dogs that received shed blood alone survived, whereas five of the dogs that received shed blood plus Ringer's lactate survived. This difference was not statistically significant.