Overview of EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Emergency medical staff need to be ready to give first-aid to dogs and keep them alive until they can be taken to the nearest vet. This is especially true for medical people who work with organizations that use “working dogs”. These might be places with working dogs, police dog squads, or search and rescue groups. These places might sometimes have to deal with dogs that are injured or sick. When this happens, the goal is to provide the same level of care and check-ups for the dogs as we do for humans.
One method that is often used to check on how a dog is doing is called pulse oximetry. This is a way of monitoring how much oxygen is in a dog’s blood. Pulse oximetry estimates oxygen levels in the blood by measuring the amount of light absorbed by the red pigment in blood (hemoglobin) when it has a lot or a little oxygen. This method is often chosen over another more direct method that involves drawing and checking the arterial blood, because pulse oximetry is more comfortable, safe, and inexpensive. It is also considered reliable and accurate enough to spot a major fall in respiratory function (how well someone is breathing). In fact, using pulse oximetry to monitor oxygen levels is seen as the standard way to care for patients receiving anesthesia, being revived, or having their breathing monitored.
Overall, the way pulse oximetry is done and the normal ranges for oxygen levels are not very different from how they are for humans. The biggest change is that for humans, pulse oximetry is usually done on the fingernail bed. For dogs however, other areas of their bodies have to be used to check oxygen levels.
Anatomy and Physiology of EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Professionals in the medical field understand the basics of a dog’s body structure and functions. Interestingly, the way dogs breathe and circulate blood is quite similar to humans. Air enters through a dog’s nostrils and throat, traveling down into their windpipe and lungs. Oxygen from the air is then transferred to their blood, which circulates throughout the entire body, delivering oxygen to tissues and organs.
By using a device called a pulse oximeter, we can quickly measure the amount of oxygen in a dog’s blood, giving us a general idea of their overall health. A healthy dog’s blood oxygen level should be between 94% and 100%. If the oxygen level goes below this range, it’s a sign that something might be wrong with the dog’s breathing or heart function.
Why do People Need EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Pulse oximetry is a simple and painless test used to measure how well oxygen is being sent to different parts of a dog’s body. It’s vital for picking up early signs of low oxygen levels in the blood, known as hypoxemia. This can help veterinary professionals accurately decide how much extra oxygen a dog might need.
This easy and quick test can give a good indication of a dog’s lung function and the effectiveness of any oxygen therapy being given. It has become the normal practice in keeping an eye on the health of a dog’s lungs and heart. It’s especially useful in emergencies, during operations, while under anesthesia, or when dogs have been given drugs that make them drowsy.
If a dog is put under anesthesia or given drugs to make it sleepy, using pulse oximetry is crucial to keep a check on their oxygen levels and ensure they’re getting enough oxygen. Research has shown that using pulse oximetry can lower the possibility of complications linked to undetected low oxygen levels. It can even help reduce the chance of death when used alongside giving oxygen.
When a Person Should Avoid EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Using a tool called a pulse oximeter to quickly and safely measure the level of oxygen in the blood (SpO2) in humans and dogs is generally safe and non-invasive. However, there are several conditions that could limit how accurately it can measure oxygen levels. If possible, try not to place the sensor of the pulse oximeter on a part of the body that is hurt or burned because it can affect the flow of blood and oxygen.
This tool can also give wrong readings in situations like when a person or animal is very sick and has low blood flow, when the skin is cold, when they have dark skin, or if there is a lot of movement. Also, substances called dyshemoglobins can also give an inaccurate reading. The pulse oximeter can also be confused by certain substances in the blood, like carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin, that it cannot detect.
In dogs, their fur and hair can obstruct the sensor of the pulse oximeter and lesser the amount of light that can pass through their tissue. Some dogs may also require calming drugs to stay still while using the pulse oximeter. Dogs with a history of vascular diseases (problems with blood vessels) can also get wrong readings from a pulse oximeter. The tool can mistakenly show low oxygen levels if the dog moves a lot or has low blood flow. Doctors and veterinary doctors should be aware of these issues and should be ready to use other ways to check for low oxygen levels.
It’s also important to note that the pulse oximeter only measures oxygen levels, not how well you are breathing or carbon dioxide levels in the blood (PaO2). For that, another tool called capnography or end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) is used. This tool measures how well a dog is ventilating by showing a graph of carbon dioxide levels and gives a measurement of carbon dioxide (PCO2) level.
Equipment used for EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
When treating dogs, medical professionals should use specially designed oximeters, which are devices used to measure the level of oxygen in the dog’s blood. These devices can be correctly positioned on a dog’s tongue, lip, ear, and even areas such as the underside of the paw or the skin around the female dog’s reproductive organ. These areas are chosen because they’re covered in a thin, moist tissue that lets light pass through, which helps the oximeter work accurately. If making sure that the right equipment is bought becomes an issue, we can also use a sticky, stretchy oximeter designed for babies.
A human oximeter isn’t a great substitute because it usually doesn’t provide very accurate results when used on a dog.
Oximeters work using a method referred to as spectrophotometry and a principle known as the Beer-Lambert Law. They measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in our blood that carries oxygen. The oxygen saturation level is estimated by this device provides an idea of how well oxygen is being supplied to the body tissues. Modern oximeters are light in weight, portable, cost-effective, and provide almost immediate results.
The sensors or probes used in oximeters can be either single-use sticky sensors or reusable clip-on ones. Oximeter probes specifically made for dogs work better as they are designed considering the dog’s body shape and fur. The oximeter emits 2 lights through the tissue and measures how much light is absorbed on the other side with a sensor. This information helps in measuring the oxygen saturation level.
Who is needed to perform EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)?
Emergency care for dogs needs a team of at least two medical professionals. This is the best way to carry out the treatment, and works well with the dog’s trainer being there, and a call to a vet for extra help. The person who usually works with the dog should help the medical team. They can do this by fitting a muzzle that lets the dog breathe easily and holding the dog still. This helps keep everyone, including the dog, safe.
How is EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) performed
When checking a dog’s health, the first step is to put a muzzle on the dog. The person who looks after the dog should do this to keep everyone, including the dog, safe.
After the muzzle is on, the next step is to place a pulse oximetry probe, which is a tool that helps measure heart rate and how much oxygen is in the dog’s blood. The best places to put this tool are on the tongue, a clear area of the lip, the ear flap, or near the private areas (depending on if the dog is male or female). Although placing it on the tongue is best, this is usually only possible when the dog is sleeping or has been given medicine to calm it down. Another option is to use special sensors (like the ones used on human babies) and attach them to the base of the dog’s tail.
The probe should be placed in a way that allows light to pass through the dog’s skin and reach the probe’s detector. It should be secure, but not too tight as to limit blood flow. Movements and external light can affect the readings, so it’s important to follow the instructions given by the probe’s manufacturer to get the most accurate results.
What Else Should I Know About EMS Canine Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)?
Just like in humans, a healthy dog’s oxygen levels should be between 94% to 100% when they are at sea level and breathing normal room air. If their oxygen levels drop to 80%, this could be a problem and it might require intervention. This is because a level of 80% is equivalent to a pressure of 60 mm Hg, which suggests the dog isn’t getting enough oxygen (a condition known as hypoxemia).
One way to measure oxygen levels is by using a tool called a pulse oximeter. These are typically reliable and accurate. However, they aren’t designed to accurately measure very low levels of blood oxygen saturation. In fact, any reading below 70% might not be accurate. If a dog’s oxygen levels drop to critically low levels, another method called arterial blood gas measurement would be more reliable. This is considered the gold standard for measuring oxygen saturation and may be needed under such circumstances.
