Arterial Blood Acid-Base Balance in Unrestrained Waking Cats. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Thirty-one blood samples from 12 animals were obtained through a catheter implanted in the left common carotid artery. Analyses yielded the following mean values: pH 7.39 ± 0.4; (HCO₃-) 15.8 ± 1.8 meq/l; and pCO₂ 27.2 ± 3.4 mm Hg. These figures reveal a low blood bicarbonate and carbon dioxide content relative to man. They should be regarded as the standard values to be maintained in cats undergoing artificial ventilation in neurophysiological experiments.