A heated humidified breathing circuit (HHBC) can blunt anesthesia-induced hypothermia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a HHBC heated to 45 ℃ on rectal temperature (RT) in dogs.
Methods: Healthy bitches (20.5 ± 4.7 kg) undergoing ovariohysterectomy were enrolled in a prospective study. Dogs in the experimental group (n = 8) were connected to the HHBC, and control dogs (n = 21) were connected to a conventional rebreathing circuit. All dogs were placed on a circulating warm water blanket (WWB) in the operating room. The RT was recorded at baseline, induction, every 15 minutes during maintenance of anesthesia, and at extubation. Anesthesia duration and incidence of hypothermia (RT < 37 ℃) at extubation were recorded. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-tests, ANOVA for repeated measures, and Fisher’s exact test, with alpha = 5%.
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