EVALUATION OF PULSE OXIMETER PROBES AND PROBE PLACEMENT IN HEALTHY DOGS

Placement of two different pulse oximeter probes, a finger (f) probe a nd a multisite (s) probe, was evaluated in six healthy, anesthetized b eagles. Concurrent arterial blood gas values were compared to determin e the most consistent (repeatable) and accurate (compared to calculate d hemoglobin saturations) pulse oximeter probe and probe placement sit es for subsequent use in awake dogs. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation was determined from arterial blood gas analysis (SaO2) and by pulse oximet ry (SpO2) at full hemoglobin saturation (mean, 99.5% SaO2) and at mode rate desaturation (mean, 92.9% SaO2). Each probe was evaluated with th ree independent readings at seven different body sites (Achilles, ear, flank, lip, fail, toe, and tongue). Values for SpO2 obtained with the s probe demonstrated a significant correlation with SaO2 values (p=0. 014, R=0.712) compared to the SpO2 values obtained with the f probe (p =0.108). The best probe placement sites for the clip-on probes in this study were on the lip and tongue using the s probe; however, the ear, fail, and toe may be acceptable sites in awake dogs using a probe whi ch maintains good contact across these vascular beds.