American journal of veterinary research
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Comparative Study
Arterialized capillary blood used to determine the acid-base and blood gas status of dogs.
Blood samples were collected by microhematocrit tube from posterior medial margin of the shaved, but otherwise untreated, canine ear. Acid-base and blood gas values of these samples were compared with the values of samples obtained simultaneously from the carotid artery. ⋯ Once a week determinations of acid-base and blood gas status with such arterialized capillary blood from a group of awake dogs showed within-subject variance to be significantly less (P less than 0.05) than between-subject variance; thus, uniqueness of individual dogs was reliably revealed. This technique also was used to demonstrated breed differences for acid-base and blood gas characteristics.