Evaluation of Pulse Oximetry in Healthy Brachycephalic Dogs

Abstract

Brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) is characterized by increased upper airway resistance due to conformational abnormalities occurring in brachycephalic dogs (BD). In this prospective study, we evaluated pulse oximetry (SpO2) and arterial blood gas values in 18 healthy BD and compared these values with those of 18 healthy mesocephalic and dolichocephalic dogs (MDD). All dogs were assigned a BAS score based on an owner questionnaire. Inclusion criteria included presentation to the hospital for a problem unrelated to the respiratory system and unremarkable blood analyses and physical examination. In awake dogs, SpO2 values were obtained from a minimum of two sites. Dogs were then sedated, and SpO2 values were obtained again concurrently with an arterial blood gas sample. The SpO2 values were significantly lower in BD compared with MDD, but there were no statistically significant differences between BD and MDD for any arterial blood gas parameters. Based on the BAS score, BD who were moderately BAS-affected (n = 5), had significantly lower arterial saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen values on arterial blood gas when compared with MDD (n = 18). Although BD had statistically lower SpO2 values than MDD, the mean SpO2 values for both groups were within the normal range.

Liver and spleen elastography of dogs affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and its correlation with clinical biomarkers

“…Significant lower levels of arterial hemoglobin saturation by oxygen was reported in BOAS affected dogs 7 , 8 and represent a feature of hypoxemia in these dogs. Upon this precept, patients affected by these syndromes suffer from an intermittent chronic hypoxemia that leads to inflammatory and metabolic dysfunctions 6 , 8 – 10 .…”

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“…Significantly lower SaO2 (Dias et al, 2016;Arulpagasam et al, 2018) and PaO2 (Canola et al, 2018) were reported in brachycephalic dogs with BOAS compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. On the other hand, no significant difference in arterial pH, PaO2, bicarbonate (HCO3 -) concentration and PaCO2 was reported between BOAS-affected dogs and non-brachycephalic dogs (Dias et al, 2016;Arulpagasam et al, 2018). Arterial blood gas analysis is the gold standard for evaluating hypoxemia in patients with respiratory disorders.…”

“…Among consequences of the BOAS is not only hypoxia, but also redued clearance of carbon dioxide. Systemically healthy brachycephalic dogs have been found to have hypertension and significantly higher arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and significantly lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) compared to non-brachycephalic breeds (Hoareau et al, 2012;Arulpagasam et al, 2018). Significantly lower SaO2 (Dias et al, 2016;Arulpagasam et al, 2018) and PaO2 (Canola et al, 2018) were reported in brachycephalic dogs with BOAS compared to non-brachycephalic dogs.…”

“…Systemically healthy brachycephalic dogs have been found to have hypertension and significantly higher arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and significantly lower arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) compared to non-brachycephalic breeds (Hoareau et al, 2012;Arulpagasam et al, 2018). Significantly lower SaO2 (Dias et al, 2016;Arulpagasam et al, 2018) and PaO2 (Canola et al, 2018) were reported in brachycephalic dogs with BOAS compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. On the other hand, no significant difference in arterial pH, PaO2, bicarbonate (HCO3 -) concentration and PaCO2 was reported between BOAS-affected dogs and non-brachycephalic dogs (Dias et al, 2016;Arulpagasam et al, 2018).…”

“…Nowadays, the venous blood gas analysis is increasingly used by veterinary practitioners, thus providing important information regarding acid-base status and ventilation (Ilkiw et al, 1991). Arterial blood sampling in conscious BOAS patients is risky due to their breathing difficulties resulting from upper airway obstruction (Hendricks, 1992;Arulpagasam et al, 2018). In BOAS patients, both arterial and venous blood gas analysis can be useful.…”