Effect of anesthetic breathing circuit type on thermal loss in cats during inhalation anesthesia for ovariohysterectomy.

Objective: To compare the effects of a nonrebreathing circuit versus a reduced volume circle anesthetic breathing circuit on body temperature change in cats during inhalation anesthesia for ovariohysterectomy.

Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Animals: 141 female domestic cats hospitalized for routine ovariohysterectomy.

Procedures: Cats were randomly assigned to receive inhalation anesthetics from either a nonrebreathing circuit or a reduced volume circle system with oxygen flow rates of 200 and 30 mL/kg/min (90.9 and 13.6 mL/lb/min), respectively. Body temperatures were monitored throughout the anesthetic period via an intrathoracic esophageal probe placed orally into the esophagus to the level of the heart base.

Results: No difference in body temperature was found between the 2 treatment groups at any measurement time. The duration of procedure had a significant effect on body temperature regardless of the type of anesthetic circuit used.

Conclusions And Clinical Relevance: Duration of the procedure rather than the type of anesthetic circuit used for inhalation anesthesia was more influential on thermal loss in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.