Respiratory monitoring: arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and end-tidal carbon dioxide analysis

The use of arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and capnography has become commonplace in the assessment of veterinary patients. Blood gas analysis allows for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of both metabolic and respiratory acid-base problems, including the interrelationships between ventilation, oxygenation, and metabolic conditions. Blood gas analysis is a useful adjunct to clinical patient assessment and other diagnostics in determining appropriate therapy for specific and complex conditions. Both pulse oximetry and capnography are useful monitoring tools. However, they have technical limitations and cannot comprehensively evaluate patient oxygenation and ventilation. Pulse oximetry and capnography are not replacements for arterial blood gas analysis, but rather serve as adjunctive monitoring tools.