Hypothermia and its prevention during general anesthesia in cats

Cats (n = 66) were evaluated in a retrospective clinical study to determine if there were any consistent patterns predisposing them to hypothermia during general anesthesia. There were no differences between any of the anesthetic techniques evaluated, between different body weights, or between different surgical procedures, with regard to the degree of hypothermia developed. Four cats were evaluated with regard to the efficacy of several techniques to maintain or restore body temperature during pentobarbital anesthesia. A circulating warm-water blanket cocooning the subject was most effective. Placing the animal on a circulating warm-water blanket under a 250-W infrared heat lamp, or under a hot-water bottle heat tent was effective, whereas cocooning in hand towels or a space blanket were ineffective.