Evaluation of the rectal‐interdigital temperature gradient as a diagnostic marker of shock in dogs

Objective To evaluate the difference in the rectal‐interdigital temperature gradient (RITG) between dogs that were presented to an emergency room with clinical signs of shock compared to those without signs of shock, and if this gradient can be used as a diagnostic marker for shock. Design Prospective, single center, observational study conducted from 2014 to 2015. Setting University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Twenty dogs with a clinical diagnosis of shock and 60 dogs without a clinical diagnosis of shock (controls). Measurements and main results Upon presentation to the emergency room and prior to intervention, measurements of rectal temperature, interdigital temperature, ambient temperature, systemic markers of perfusion (capillary refill time [CRT], heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR], Doppler blood pressure [DBP], and venous plasma lactate concentration), and venous blood gas analytes were recorded. Dogs were initially determined to be in shock by the attending clinician, and post hoc inclusion criteria were applied. Shock was defined as abnormalities in ≥3 of the 6 following criteria: HR > 120/min, RR > 40/min, CRT > 2 seconds, rectal temperature 2.5 mmol/L, or DBP