Peripheral warming for prevention of hypothermia in small dogs during soft tissue surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of wrapping the extremities of small dogs with table leg covers to prevent hypothermia during anesthesia. Study designRandomized parallel-group study. AnimalsA total of 60 adult dogs with a body mass <15 kg anesthetized for soft tissue surgery. MethodsDogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group received routine intraoperative thermal support, while the limb-wrapping group had their peripheral limbs covered with table leg covers up to the mid-metacarpal/metatarsal region, in addition to routine thermal support. Rectal temperature during anesthesia was recorded and compared between the two groups. Data analyses were performed using Student’s t-test for rectal temperature, Fisher’s exact test for hypothermia incidence and analysis of covariance for the effect of limb-wrapping while taking other factors into account. ResultsThirty dogs were included per group. Rectal temperature did not differ between the groups at the time of intubation, but it was significantly higher in the limb-wrapping group (36.7 ± 1.0 °C) than in the control group (35.9 ± 0.8 °C) at the end of surgery (p = 0.003). The mean difference was 0.81 °C (95% confidence interval of mean difference 0.33–1.29 °C). The incidence of hypothermia (<37.0 °C) was significantly lower in the limb-wrapping group than in the control group (19/30 versus 28/30 dogs, respectively; p = 0.010). ConclusionsFor dogs with body masses <15 kg, limb-wrapping with table leg covers slowed the reduction in intraoperative rectal temperature. Limb-wrapping is inexpensive and easy to perform, making it a practical method for minimizing hypothermia during anesthesia in small dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery. Clinical relevancePeripheral warming with table leg covers has the potential to reduce hypothermia during soft tissue surgery in small dogs.