Pitfalls in acid/base experiments with conscious dogs

Arterial pH and blood gases were measured at intervals in conscious dogs after their first human contact of the day. Blood was sampled through an indwelling catheter in the aorta without disturbing the animals. It appeared that in the first 90 min arterial PO2, oxygen saturation and haemoglobin concentration significantly declined. PCO2 and pH changed less consistently when the acid/base status of the dogs was normal, but when a non-respiratory acidosis was present there was a significant decrease in pH and a significant increase in PCO2. Arterial pH and blood gases were also measured before and after feeding the animals. It appeared that an appreciable metabolic alkalosis developed within 2 h after a meal. The “alkaline tide” was accompanied by a trend to higher values for PCO2. It is concluded that, after a period of seclusion, renewed human contact causes behavioural changes in a dog, which may result in appreciable transitory changes in arterial pH and blood gas values. Blood sampling from conscious dogs should therefore take place after a proper period of habituation; preferably, a few samples should be taken at intervals to check that a steady state has been reached. If possible, blood should be collected before feeding; in any case the relationship in time of blood sampling to feeding should be constant throughout.