Electrical cardioversion is a therapeutic procedure used to convert various types of arrhythmias back to sinus rhythm. It is used to restore the sinus rhythm in dogs with atrial fibrillation. The effect of the electrical energy used during cardioversion on red blood cells (RBC) is not fully understood. Studies on humans reported lysis of RBC following electrical cardioversion. Similar studies have not been carried out on dogs. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of electrical cardioversion on chosen RBC parameters. The study was carried out on 14 large and giant breed dogs weighing from 30 to 84 kg with lone atrial fibrillation (lone AF). Electrical cardioversion was carried out under general anaesthesia by biphasic shock with 70–360 J of energy. Blood was collected at T0 – during atrial fibrillation, prior to cardioversion, and at T1 – 30 min after electrical cardioversion. Complete blood counts as well as total and direct bilirubin concentrations were evaluated. A maximum output of 360 J was used. In all cases, electrical cardioversion was effective, and no significant changes in the number of RBC and RBC indices were noted. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of total and direct bilirubin. Electrical cardioversion in dogs led neither to statistically nor clinically significant RBC lysis.

Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring is commonly used in human beings to assess skin viability. Little attention has been directed toward the use of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (P(CO2.TC)) monitoring for the same purpose. The application of P(CO2.TC) monitoring for evaluating skin viability in dogs was investigated. The changes in P(CO2.TC) and local power reference (LPR) values were measured from 16 skin flaps created along the lateral hemithoraces of 4 dogs. Transcutaneous P(CO2) and LPR values were serially recorded from the base and apex of each flap for 12 hours. A single measurement was obtained from each flap base and apex 24 hours after surgery. Arterial blood gas analyses were obtained to compare central P(CO2) values with peripheral skin P(CO2) values. The flaps were observed for 4 days and then harvested for histologic examination. Full-thickness skin biopsy specimens were obtained 24 hours after surgery and when the flaps were harvested to evaluate the viability of the apex and base of the flaps. A subjective grade was assigned to all skin biopsy specimens during histologic examination. For all measurements, a significant difference was found between the P(CO2.TC) values for apices and bases of the flaps. The mean P(CO2.TC) for all bases was 52.66 mm of Hg +/- 2.24 (SEM), and the mean P(CO2.TC) for all apices was 106.4 mm of Hg +/- 2.44. The regional carbon dioxide index (apex P(CO2.TC)/base P(CO2.TC) was 2.02. A significant difference was not found between the LPR values for bases and apices. The mean LPR for all bases was 253.23 mW +/- 4.06, and the mean LPR for all apices was 243.53 mW +/- 4.49. A significant difference was found between the histologic grades assigned to the collective bases and apices 4 days after creation of the flaps. A difference was not found between the collective bases and apices 24 hours after flap creation. On the basis of our findings, transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring is a useful method of evaluating skin viability in dogs.