Pulse Oximetry ($SpO_2$)

Category: science

A non-invasive diagnostic metric tracking the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen in the blood stream.

In veterinary settings, pulse oximeter clips are attached to thin, hairless tissue planes like the tongue, pinna (ear flap), toe web, or vulva. A drop in $SpO_2$ below ninety-five percent signals structural hypoxemia, alerting the surgical team to evaluate the anesthetic gas mixture instantly.

Common Examples

• We clipped the pulse oximetry probe onto the canine patient's tongue to monitor oxygen saturation trends throughout the dental extraction.
• Pigmented mucous membranes or vasoconstriction from cold room temperatures can disrupt the light sensors of a pulse oximeter machine.