Determination of reference intervals of venous blood gas and acid-base parameters in clinically healthy awake cats.

Abstract

Background: Venous blood gas and acid-base analysis is often performed in cats and requires appropriate reference intervals (RIs) for interpretation. The currently available RIs were created from small numbers of cats, while current guidelines suggest that a minimum number of 40 samples is required for the creation of an accurate/appropriate RI.

Key findings: In 41 healthy awake cats, pH, P_vCO₂, P_vO₂, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, chloride, glucose, and plasma lactate concentrations were measured, while bicarbonate, standardized base excess, and anion gap were calculated. These data were used to calculate RIs, using a statistical approach that conforms to the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines.

Significance: RIs for venous blood gas and traditional acid-base analysis from a relatively large population of healthy cats are now available for clinical use and standardized for future research studies.