🧠 Master your next blood gas panel with our brand-new Vetpocket Cheat Sheet! Here is a simple, plain-text breakdown to help you manage your critical patients on the floor.

📈 Normal Reference Ranges (Dogs & Cats):
pH: 7.35 to 7.45
PCO2: 35 to 45 mm Hg
HCO3-: 20 to 25 mEq/L
BE (Base Excess): -4 to 4 mEq/L

🫁 The “R-O-M-E” Mnemonic:
- Respiratory Opposite: PCO2 and pH have an inverse relationship
- Metabolic Equal: HCO3 (or BE) and pH have a direct relationship.

📋 The 5-Step Systematic Approach

Step 1: Identify if it is a venous or an arterial sample. Remember to evaluate PaO2 as well if it is an arterial sample.

Step 2: Determine if the blood gas is normal, a mixed acid-base disorder, or if there is a primary disturbance.

Step 3: If there is a primary metabolic acidosis, calculate the anion gap.

Step 4: Determine if there is a compensatory response.

Step 5: Evaluate whether that compensation is appropriate or inappropriate.

🧪 Calculating the Anion GapAnion Gap = (Na+ + K+) - (Cl- + HCO3-)
Dog Reference Range: ~12 to 24 mEq/L
Cat Reference Range: ~13 to 27 mEq/L

Important Note: Remember to adjust the anion gap in the presence of hypoalbuminemia. 💬 Want to grab the full PDF version of this guide?