Veterinary Anesthesia Vital Signs: Your Complete Monitoring Guide

Every veterinarian knows that anesthesia vital signs monitoring can make the difference between routine procedures and preventable complications. Yet many practices struggle with inconsistent interpretation across team members, leading to delayed interventions when seconds count.

This comprehensive guide, developed by Kali Holz, AAS, RVT, CCAT, VTS (Surgery board-certified surgery technician) provides the standardized framework your team needs to confidently monitor and interpret vital parameters during every anesthetic event.

Why Standardized Vital Signs Monitoring Matters

Inconsistent monitoring practices create unnecessary risks:

• Delayed interventions: When team members interpret ranges differently, critical changes get missed
• Trend blindness: Focusing on single readings instead of physiologic patterns
• Cognitive overload: Without protocols, high-pressure moments become overwhelming

Standardizing your approach to veterinary anesthesia monitoring reduces variability and improves patient outcomes across your entire team.

Canine & Feline Vital Sign Guide

Heart Rate

Depends on whether dexmedetomidine or another alpha-2 was used in the premedication (these drugs cause bradycardia). Significantly lower heart rates (as low as 35 bpm) can be seen, but are not necessarily a cause for concern if MAP is above 60mmHg.

Respiratory Rate

EtCO2

Hypercarbia occurs when EtCO2 > 55mmHg for all patients, should be between 40-55mmHg. In cases of head trauma or increased intracranial pressure, a lower EtCO2 is helpful in reducing ICP, aim for 30-35mmHg.

SPO2

Assuming the patient is intubated and breathing 100% oxygen, SpO₂ should always be 98 – 100%. Hypoxemia is considered present when SpO₂ falls below 95%.

Blood Pressure

Hypotension occurs when SAP falls below < 90mmHg or MAP falls below 60mmHg. Hypertension in dogs occurs when SAP is > 150mmHg, in cats > 160mmHg. If hypotension is noted:

1. Assess patient depth and turn down inhalant anesthetic
2. If HR is normal, consider fluid bolus
3. If bradycardia present, consider anticholinergic and/or reversal of any applicable drugs

Implementing This Guide in Your Practice

Standardizing veterinary vital signs monitoring across your team improves patient safety and reduces decision-making stress during critical moments. Post reference ranges in your surgical suite and train all team members on the interpretation principles outlined here.

Consider scheduling regular team meetings to review cases and reinforce these monitoring standards.

Access Your Complete Vital Signs Reference

Ready to standardize your team’s approach to anesthesia monitoring? Download the complete Vital Signs Guide created by Kali Holz, AAS, RVT, CCAT, VTS (Surgery board-certified surgery technician) and give your team the clinical framework they need.