Pulse Oximetry For Estimation Of Oxygenation In Dogs With Experimental Pneumothorax

Abstract

SummaryThe purpose of this study was the evaluation of pulse oximetry for estimating the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) in dogs with pneumothorax. Values for measured by pulse oximetry with transducers on the tongues and toes of six dogs were compared with saturation values (SaO2) computed from arterial oxygen tensions (PaO2) during experimentally induced pneumothorax (30,45, and 60 ml/kg of ambient air in the pleural space). Values for SpO2, SaO2, and PaO2 decreased with increasing volume of air. Compared to computed SaO2 values, SpO2 values obtained from the tongue tended to be less variable than those obtained from the toe, but both locations gave valuable information. Pulse oximetry appears to be a useful, relatively inexpensive method of estimating hemoglobin saturation in dogs with experimentally induced pneumothorax, and it appears to have clinical application in management of critical or traumartized dogs.