The arterial oxygen status of clinically healthy dogs at an altitude of 1250 metres.

The blood-gas, acid-base, and arterial oxygen status of 6 healthy blood donor dogs was studied at an altitude of 1250 metres on 2 occasions 3 days apart. The values, and repeatability, of a number of derived variables that describe oxygen status, including oxygen extraction tension (Px), extractable oxygen concentration (Cx), and oxygen compensation factor (Qx) were established in clinically healthy dogs. The Oxygen Status Algorithm computer programme which was developed for use in humans was used to calculate these derived variables. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically and compared with 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentrations calculated by the Oxygen Status Algorithm. This study revealed that there were no significant differences between the means of any of the variables used to describe oxygen status on the two occasions. The mean Px of 38.74 mmHg, Cx of 4.38 ml/dl, and Qx of 1.2 were similar to those reported for man.