N1033787
Results Of the 99 dogs enrolled, all except 4 dogs showed a decrease of between 0.2 ° C – 3.4 ° C in body temperature following an MRI. 2 dogs increased in body temperature( 0.1 ° C and 0.3 ° C), and 2 maintained the same. Following induction, 73 dogs had a normal body temperature( 37.8 ° C – 39.2 ° C), 2 were hyperthermic(> 39.3 ° C), 23 were mildly hypothermic( 36.7 – 37.7 ° C) and 1 was considered moderately hypothermic( 35.5 – 36.7 ° C). After the scan had finished, only 9 dogs had a body temperature within the normal range. 1 dog remained hyperthermic( though had still decreased 0.7 ° C), 49 were mildly hypothermic, 32 were moderately hypothermic and 8 dogs were considered severely hypothermic( 33 – 35.5 ° C). The results of this study showed that BCS and the length of time the dog was scanned for both have an influence on body temperature. The higher a dogs BCS, the less of a decrease occurred in their body temperature, and the longer length of time they were scanned for showed more of a decrease in body temperature. Patient age, recumbency in the scanner and administered premedication were all shown to have no statistically significant influence on the decreases in the body temperature.
Conclusion This study has found that anaesthetised dogs undergoing MRI investigations do decrease in body temperature during the procedure. All patients undergoing MRI investigations, unless contraindicated( for example in extremely hyperthermic patients), should be provided with some variation of passive warming( such as blankets). To prevent and minimise the chances of hypothermia occurring in dogs with an ideal or under ideal BCS, additional passive and active warming such as extra blankets, bubble wrap, socks and microwavable MRI safe heat pads should be provided. Conversations should be had with the radiographer and veterinary surgeon involved to ensure the length of time the scans take is kept as short as possible.
ANIM32126 – EBVN Project 4