The Effect of Peritoneal Lavage Solution Temperature on Body Temperature in Cats and Dogs of Up to 10 kg Bodyweight Undergoing Coeliotomy

Introduction:
The purpose of our study was to assess the effect of peritoneal lavage using fluid warmed to extremes of a physiological range on body temperature in anesthetised cats and dogs during coeliotomy.

Materials and methods:
Twenty dogs and cats of less than 10 kg body mass were recruited prospectively and randomly assigned to treatment groups. A standardized anaesthetic protocol was implemented. Following the completion of surgical treatments on a case-by-case basis, Group 1 were lavaged with 200ml/ kg sterile isotonic saline at 34±1 ̊C and group 2 at 40±1 ̊C.

Results:
Treatment groups were similar with respect to age, mass, body condition and surgical incision length. Duration of anesthesia, surgical procedures, and peritoneal lavage were also similar between groups. There was a moderate correlation between grouped oesophageal and rectal temperature measurements (R2=0.44), with a tendency for oesophageal temperature to be higher than rectal measurements. Linear regression showed no significant change in oesophageal temperature during the lavage period for group 1 (P=0.64), but a significant increase for group 2 patients (P<0.0001), with mean temperature changes of -0.5 ̊C (from 36.3 ̊C to 35.9 ̊C) and +0.9 ̊C (from 35.4 ̊C to 36.3 ̊C) respectively. Similar results were found for rectal temperature, with mean changes of -0.5 ̊C and +0.8 ̊C (P=0.922 and 0.045) respectively.

Discussion/conclusions:
Feline and small canine patients undergoing coeliotomy were mildly hypothermic prior to peritoneal lavage. Use of isotonic crystalloid solution for peritoneal lavage at a temperature of 40±1 ̊C significantly warms small animal patients compared to lavage solution at 34±1 ̊C, aiding the restoration of normothermia following coeliotomy.