The effect of a pre-anesthetic infusion of amino acids on body temperature, venous blood pH, glucose, creatinine, and lactate of healthy dogs during anesthesia

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preanesthetic, intravenous (IV) amino acids on body temperature of anesthetized healthy dogs. Study design: Randomized, experimental, crossover study. Animals: Eight mixed-breed dogs approximately 2 years of age weighing 20.7 ± 2.1 kg. Methods: Dogs received 10% amino acid solution (AA) or 0.9% saline (SA) IV at 5 mL kg^-1 over 60 minutes. Body temperature (BT) was recorded at 5 minute intervals during infusions. Dogs were then anesthetized with sevoflurane for 90 minutes. BT was recorded at 5 minute intervals during anesthesia. Jugular blood samples were analyzed for pH, glucose, creatinine, and lactate concentrations at baseline, after infusion, after anesthesia and after 24 hours. Results: BT at conclusion of infusion decreased -0.34 ± 0.42 °C in group AA and -0.40 ± 0.38 °C in group SA and was not different between groups (p = 0.072). BT decreased 2.72 ± 0.37 °C in group AA and 2.88 ± 0.26 °C in group SA after anesthesia and was different between groups (p < 0.05). Creatinine in group AA was increased immediately after infusion (p < 0.0001) and at 24 hours (p < 0.0001). There were no differences between groups for other parameters. Values for both groups were never outside the clinical reference ranges. Conclusions and clinical relevance: In healthy dogs, preanesthetic IV infusion of amino acids attenuated heat loss compared to controls, however, the amount attenuated may not be clinically useful. Further studies are warranted to determine if nutrient-induced thermogenesis is beneficial to dogs undergoing anesthesia.