The influence of body mass and thoracic dimensions on arterial oxygenation in anaesthetized horses and ponies.
Abstract: To examine the relationship between body mass and thoracic dimensions on arterial oxygen tensions (PaO(2)) in anaesthetized horses and ponies positioned in dorsal recumbency. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Thirty six client-owned horses and ponies, mean [+/-SD (range)] age 8.1 +/- 4.8 (1.5-20) years and mean body mass 467 +/- 115 (203-656) kg. Methods: Before general anaesthesia, food and water were withheld for 12 and 1 hours respectively. Body mass (kg), height at the withers (H), thoracic circumference (C), thoracic depth (length between dorsal spinous process and sternum; D), thoracic width (between point of shoulders; W), and thoracic diagonal length (point of shoulder to last rib; L) were measured. Pre-anaesthetic medication was with intravenous (IV) romifidine (0.1 mg kg(-1)). Anaesthesia was induced with an IV ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) and diazepam (0.05 mg kg(-1)) combination and maintained with halothane in 1:1 oxygen:nitrous oxide (N(2)O) mixture. Animals were positioned in dorsal recumbency and allowed to breathe spontaneously. Nitrous oxide was discontinued after 10 minutes, and arterial blood samples obtained and analysed for gas tensions at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after connection to the anaesthetic breathing circuit. Data were analysed using anova and Pearson's correlation co-efficient. Results: The height per unit body mass (H kg(-1)) and thoracic circumference per unit body mass (C kg(-1)) correlated strongly (r = 0.85, p < 0.001 and r = 0.82, p < 0.001 respectively) with arterial oxygen tensions (PaO(2)) at 15 minutes. Conclusions: There is a strong positive correlation between H kg(-1) and C kg(-1) and PaO(2) after 15 minutes of anaesthesia in halothane-anaesthetized horses positioned in dorsal recumbency. Conclusions: Readily obtained linear measurements (height and thoracic circumference) and body mass may be used to predict the ability of horses to oxygenate during anaesthesia.
Publication Date: 2008-05-05 PubMed ID: 18466164DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00400.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates how body mass and thoracic dimensions of horses and ponies affect their oxygen levels during anesthesia when positioned on their backs. The researchers found strong correlations between body-height and chest-circumference-to-body-mass ratios and the horses’ arterial oxygen tension 15 minutes into anesthesia.
Research Methodology
- This study was designed as a prospective clinical trial involving 36 client-owned horses and ponies aged between 1.5 to 20 years and having a mean body mass between 203 to 656 kg.
- Before the start of the experiment, the animals were deprived of food and water for 12 and 1 hours respectively.
- The researchers measured several parameters which included body mass, height, thoracic circumference, thoracic depth, thoracic width and thoracic diagonal length.
- Anesthesia was induced with a combination of Ketamine and Diazepam drugs, and maintained with a mixture of halothane, oxygen, and nitrous oxide.
- The horses and ponies were allowed to breathe spontaneously while positioned on their backs. Nitrous oxide was discontinued after 10 minutes.
- Blood samples were collected at 15, 30 and 60 minutes post-connection to the anesthetic circuit for analysis of gas tensions.
- The collected data was then analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Study Results and Conclusion
- The results showed that the ratios of height to body mass and thoracic circumference to body mass of the horses and ponies correlated strongly with their arterial oxygen tension 15 minutes post anesthesia.
- The study concluded that there is a strong positive correlation between these ratios and arterial oxygen tension after 15 minutes of anesthesia in halothane-anesthetized horses positioned on their backs.
- The researchers suggested that simple linear measurements such as height and thoracic circumference in comparison with body mass can be used to predict the ability of horses to oxygenate during anesthesia.
Cite This Article
APA
Mansel JC, Clutton RE.
(2008).
The influence of body mass and thoracic dimensions on arterial oxygenation in anaesthetized horses and ponies.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 35(5), 392-399.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2008.00400.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, UK. juliet.mansel@ed.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia / veterinary
- Animals
- Body Size / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Oxygen / blood
- Partial Pressure
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange / drug effects
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Tucker L, Almeida D, Wendt-Hornickle E, Baldo CF, Allweiler S, Guedes AGP. Effect of 15° Reverse Trendelenburg Position on Arterial Oxygen Tension during Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 1;12(3).
- Savvas I, Pavlidou K, Braun C, Schauvliege S, Staffieri F, Moens Y. Evaluation of the Effect of the Inspired Oxygen Fraction on Blood Oxygenation during Inhalant Anaesthesia in Horses: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
- Dupont J, Serteyn D, Sandersen C. Prolonged Recovery From General Anesthesia Possibly Related to Persistent Hypoxemia in a Draft Horse. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:235.
- MacFarlane PD, Mosing M. Early experience with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 5 horses -- a case series. Can Vet J 2012 Apr;53(4):426-9.
- Hubbell JA, Aarnes TK, Bednarski RM, Lerche P, Muir WW. Effect of 50% and maximal inspired oxygen concentrations on respiratory variables in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. BMC Vet Res 2011 Jun 3;7:23.
- Morelli J, Hoby S, Heiderich E, Stettler M, Elzahaby D, Evans AL. Efficacy and adverse effects of three delivery methods for aerosolized salbutamol in anesthetized European moose (Alces alces alces): a case series. Acta Vet Scand 2026 Feb 8;68(1):11.
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