Animal Health Solutions

25 Q3 2021 | Animal Health Solutions Of course, clinic conditions and workflow needs can often be a hindrance to monitoring pets postoperatively. Technicians often have to go into recovery cages to assess patients, and continuous monitoring is often made difficult due to pets awakening from anesthesia and becoming physically more responsive. An intubated dog or cat under general anesthesia is simply far easier to monitor than the disoriented and medicated pet who just went into the recovery cage. References 1. Brodbelt DC, Pfeiffer DU, Young LE, et al. Results of the confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities regarding risk factors for anesthetic-related death in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008;233:1096–104 2. Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAAy , Jennifer Sager, BS, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia, ECC)y , James S. Gaynor, DVM, MS, DACVAA, DAIPM, CVA, CVPP, et al. 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats 4 common postoperative complications and respective monitoring parameters Complication Parameter Monitoring technique Parameter limits to consider Hypotension • Blood pressure • Oscillometric NIBP • Direct arterial (Invasive) BP • In dogs and cats, usually indicated by systolic BP <80 mm Hg or a mean arterial pressure or (MAP) <60 mm Hg Hypoxia • SpO2 • PaO2 • SpO2 sensor/probe • Arterial blood gas • SpO2 of 90% and below Hypothermia • Temperature • Core temperature measurement via rectal or esophageal temperature probe • In dogs, watch for temperatures below 100.0˚F. Critical hypothermia is often defined as less than 92˚F. • Cats can have slightly higher normal body temperatures – 100˚F to 103.1˚F). Arrhythmias • ECG • Heart tate • Pulse tate • ECG(Continuous) – single or multiple continuous • Heart rate/pulse rate • Normal heart rates in dogs tend to be 80-120bpm. • Normal heart rates in cats vary, and tend to be 100-180 bpm. • Use a continuous ECG monitor to identify cardiac arrhythmias. When considering the most efficient and effective ways to manage and monitor the postoperative patient, new technology has sought to solve some of the common challenges s associated with post-surgical monitoring. VEMO, from Bionet America, is one example of this type of new technology. The device utilizes a completely wireless monitoring "patch" that affixes to the underside of the patient. Then, utilizing Bluetooth technology, VEMO transmits a Lead II ECG trace, heart rate, and respiration rate to an application which operates from a tablet. The user can customize auto-recording of vital signs which are exported to a PDF, and alarms are triggered based when vital signs are detected outside normal limits. Technology, however robust, is not a substitute for the experienced eyes and mind of a skilled veterinarian or vet technician. Basic clinical skills such as auscultating breath sounds and observing capillary refill will always be an important part of postoperative care, along with having monitoring protocols in place. Experience, attention, and technology are often the right combination for safe postoperative recovery monitoring.

• Cover