Comparison of measured oxyhemoglobin saturation and oxygen content with analyzer-calculated values and hand-calculated values obtained in unsedated healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare direct measurements of canine oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) saturation and blood oxygen content (ContO2) in healthy dogs with analyzer-calculated values derived by use of a human HbO2 relationship and with hand-calculated values derived by use of a canine HbO2 relationship.

ANIMALS

17 healthy dogs.

PROCEDURE

3-mL samples of heparinized arterial and jugular venous blood were collected from each dog. The pH, Pco2, Po2, hemoglobin, HbO2, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and ContO2 were measured; HbO2 and ContO2 were calculated automatically by analyzers and also hand-calculated. Blood gas analyzer-calculated and hand-calculated HbO2 values were compared with co-oximeter-measured HbO2 values. Analyzer-calculated and hand-calculated ContO2 values were compared with oxygen content analyzer-measured values.

RESULTS

Hand-calculated HbO2 values for arterial and jugular venous samples were slightly but significantly lower than those calculated by a blood gas analyzer or obtained from a co-oximeter. Hand-calculated and analyzer-calculated arterial and venous ContO2 were similar to measured values.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although certain HbO2 and ContO2 values generated by use of the different methods were significantly different, these differences are unlikely to be clinically important in healthy dogs.