Why use a thermometer?
Body temperatures can plummet during anesthesia, and this can have major consequences, such as decreased metabolism (causing longer recovery periods), reduced anesthesia requirement (causing an overdose with potentially harmful side effects), bradycardia (causing decreased perfusion), and an increase of the numbers of postoperative complications. Hyperthermia is also a risk, especially for septic or stressed patients, or those that are over-heated.
Temperature monitoring can be done continuously with an oesophageal probe, or intermittently if taken rectally.
Advantages
- Non-invasive
- Continuous monitoring (if oesophageal probe)
Disadvantages
- Intermittent measurement (if rectal)
When to use a thermometer?
Hypothermia is one of the common risks of anesthesia.
A thermometer is easy and quick to use and should be used for all patients.
Monitoring should be continued during recovery, especially for animals that are very calm or sedated and cannot produce enough heat.
Post #6 of 6 of the series What data is provided by monitoring devices? What are those devices used for?
Written by
Dr. Truchetti Geoffrey, DMV, MSc, DES, DACVAA
Dr. Geoffrey Truchetti has been a veterinarian since 2009. He did his residency in anesthesia and analgesia in Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec) and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary … [Read More]