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Thermal burns in four dogs during anesthesia
C I Dunlop1, D A Daunt, S C Haskins
1Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Veterinary Surgery : VS
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Veterinary thermal burns can occur when using warm water in latex gloves to treat hypothermia in dogs. Ensure water temperature is below 45°C to prevent skin injury during animal care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Hypothermia is a critical condition in animals requiring careful temperature management.
- External heat sources are commonly used to rewarm hypothermic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report cases of thermal burns in dogs resulting from an improvised warming method.
- To highlight the risks associated with using warm water in latex gloves for therapeutic purposes.
Main Methods:
- Four anesthetized dogs undergoing treatment for hypothermia were involved.
- Latex surgical gloves were filled with warm water and applied to the animals' skin.
Main Results:
- All four dogs sustained thermal burns on the skin areas in direct contact with the water-filled gloves.
- The burns occurred on relatively hairless skin, indicating direct heat transfer.
Conclusions:
- Improper use of warm water in latex gloves can lead to significant thermal injury in veterinary patients.
- Water temperatures exceeding 45°C in direct contact with animal skin pose a risk of burns.