Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is the gold standard for assessing oxygenation and ventilation in dogs, cats, horses, and other animals. It provides objective data on pulmonary function, acid‑base balance, and tissue perfusion — critical for anaesthesia monitoring, critical care, and respiratory disease management. While venous blood gas can estimate acid‑base status, only arterial samples can accurately measure PaO₂ and detect hypoxemia.
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VetillaryABG™
From a tiny mouse to a full‑grown horse, MeterOmega offers arterial samplers designed for each
species — capillary micro‑sampling for small vessels and syringe systems for larger patients.
Reliable, reproducible, and gentle.
Why arterial blood gas in veterinary patients?
Clinical insight: ABG is particularly valuable in mechanically ventilated patients, those with suspected pulmonary disease, or when pulse oximetry is unreliable (e.g., pigmentation, motion, or poor perfusion).
Challenges of arterial sampling in animals
- Small arteries in cats and rodents → difficult puncture, high risk of hematoma
- Restraint and stress → can alter respiratory parameters
- High haematocrit in some species (e.g., horses, neonatal animals) → rapid clotting if heparin is not instantly dissolved
- Limited blood volume in small patients → iatrogenic anaemia risk
- Coagulopathies contraindicate arterial puncture
MeterOmega samplers address these issues: ultra‑low lyophilised heparin, micro‑volume capillary design, and thin‑wall needles for atraumatic puncture.
Rodents & small lab animals
Mice · Rats · Guinea pigs
UCARE‑FLOW™ micro‑sampler (≈240–320 µL) with 25G thin‑wall needle. Capillary action fills even in low‑pressure tails or saphenous arteries. Minimal blood loss — ideal for serial sampling in research settings.
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(Placeholder: rodent arterial sampling via tail or saphenous artery)
Cats & small dogs
Feline · Canine (≤15 kg)
UCARE‑FLOW™ or iCARE‑FLOW™ capillary samplers preferred. Dorsal pedal artery puncture is well tolerated. Small sample volume reduces stress on cardiovascularly compromised patients. Needle‑free versions connect to indwelling arterial catheters.
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(Placeholder: dorsal pedal artery sampling in dog/cat)
Medium to large animals
Dogs (>15 kg) · Horses · Farm animals
SyringeABG™ series (1 mL or 3 mL preset or aspirating) with 22G–23G thin‑wall needle. Rapid self‑fill via arterial pressure or gentle aspiration. Lyophilised heparin (<15 IU/mL) prevents clotting even in high‑haematocrit equine blood.
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(Placeholder: femoral or transverse facial artery sampling in horse)
All samplers share common technology: ≤15 IU/mL lyophilised heparin · instant dissolution · no immediate mixing required · bubble‑minimising vent (except standard capillary) · direct analyzer compatibility.
| Species | Preferred site (awake) | Alternative (anaesthetised) |
| Dog (awake) | Dorsal metatarsal (pedal) artery | Femoral, coccygeal, auricular |
| Dog (small) / Cat | Femoral (only if no other site) | Dorsal pedal, coccygeal |
| Horse | Transverse facial, facial | Metatarsal, auricular |
| Rodent | Lateral tail vein (arterialised capillary) | Saphenous artery (exposed under anaesthesia) |
Source: adapted from dvm360 and Today's Veterinary Practice guidelines.
*Note for cats: Arterial puncture in cats is particularly stressful. Consider sedation or general anaesthesia. In dyspnoeic cats, a venous blood gas combined with pulse oximetry may be preferred (VETgirl 2021).
Capillary microsampling in rodents – a refinement
In research settings, capillary microsampling (CMS) is increasingly recognised as a refinement technique that reduces animal numbers and improves welfare. Using UCARE‑FLOW™, you can collect ≤300 µL arterialised blood from the lateral tail vein or saphenous artery with minimal trauma and no need for serial cardiac punctures.
Key benefits for lab animal medicine: reduced blood loss (prevents anaemia), lower stress, and compatibility with serial sampling in pharmacokinetic/toxicology studies.
Sample volumes across species
| Species | Total blood volume (mL/kg) | MeterOmega sample | % of TBV |
| Mouse (30 g) | ~72 | ≤300 µL | ≈1.4% |
| Rat (300 g) | ~64 | ≤300 µL | ≈0.5% |
| Cat (4 kg) | ~55 | 240–320 µL | <0.2% |
| Dog (20 kg) | ~86 | 1 mL (syringe) | <0.06% |
All samples well below recommended safe limits (<10% of TBV).
Sample handling: do's and don'ts
- Analyse within 30 minutes at room temperature, or store in ice slurry (not direct ice) if delayed.
- Expel air immediately from syringe samplers (capillary samplers are bubble‑free by design).
- Gently mix before analysis (roll syringe/invert).
- Do not shake – causes hemolysis and false K⁺ elevation.
- Avoid prolonged storage; PaO₂ changes significantly after 12–15 minutes at room temperature.
Avoiding preanalytical errors in veterinary ABG
Preanalytical errors are the most common source of inaccurate blood gas results in veterinary practice. Common pitfalls include:
- Venous admixture (dark blood, low PaO₂)
- Air bubbles → falsely low PaCO₂, high PaO₂
- Delay in analysis → metabolic changes by RBCs
- Excess liquid heparin → dilution and electrolyte bias
MeterOmega advantage: lyophilised heparin eliminates dilution; vented/sealed design minimises air exposure; fixed micro‑volume guarantees correct heparin concentration.
Normal arterial blood gas values – selected species
Always refer to your laboratory’s reference intervals. Values below are adapted from MSD Veterinary Manual and represent typical ranges for healthy animals at sea level.
| Parameter | Dog | Cat | Horse | Cow |
| pH | 7.31–7.42 | 7.24–7.40 | 7.32–7.44 | 7.35–7.50 |
| PaCO₂ (mmHg) | 29–42 | 29–42 | 36–46 | 35–44 |
| PaO₂ (mmHg) | 85–95 | 85–95 | ~94 | ~92 |
| HCO₃⁻ (mEq/L) | 17–24 | 17–24 | 24–30 | 20–30 |
Values are for guidance only. Interpretation should always consider patient history, clinical signs, and local reference ranges.
Complications to anticipate
- Hematoma/hemorrhage – apply firm pressure for ≥2 min after needle withdrawal.
- Thrombosis/arterial occlusion – more common with catheters; direct puncture with thin‑wall needles reduces risk.
- Pain and distress – use local anaesthesia (lidocaine) in awake patients; consider sedation for cats.
- Infection – aseptic technique mandatory.
Contraindications: coagulopathies, severe thrombocytopenia, or infected puncture site.
Monitoring after sampling
After arterial puncture, monitor the sampling site for:
- Swelling, discoloration, or palpable hematoma
- Distal pulse quality (Doppler or palpation)
- Limb colour and temperature
- Patient comfort (lameness, guarding behaviour)
Reference: Periprocedural complication rates in dogs after femoral arterial access have been reported up to 30% for minor bruising/hematoma (source: Vetlexicon). Proper technique and appropriate device selection reduce this risk.
Recommended resources & references
- Davis H. Venous and arterial puncture. In: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 6th ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2005.
- Haskins SC. Interpretation of blood gas measurements. In: Respiratory Diseases in Dogs and Cats, 1st ed. Saunders, 2004.
- Today's Veterinary Practice: The Practitioner's Acid–Base Primer: Obtaining & Interpreting Blood Gases (available online).
- VETgirl CE video: How to Get an Arterial Blood Gas Sample (dorsal pedal artery technique).
- IVIS webinar: Arterial blood gas: Why? Where? How? & What does it tell you (for Nurses) (Melissa Claus, DVM, DACVECC).
- MSD Veterinary Manual: Blood‑Gas Analysis Reference Ranges (dogs, cats, horses, cows).
For detailed product specifications (cat. numbers, needle lengths, safety versions), please refer to the CapillaryABG™ Series and SyringeABG™ Series sections of this website.
MeterOmega Medical Wuhan LTD
Address: NO.23-1-3 Gezhouba Suncity, GaoXin 4th road, East Lake development zone, Wuhan, China.
Tel: +86 (0) 27 6552 4498
Email: info@meteromega.com
Website: www.meteromega.com.cn
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