Blood pressure should be taken multiple times and averaged to ensure accuracy. For cats, the cuff can be placed around the forelimb or tail, while for dogs it is best to place it on the metacarpus or metatarsus in sternal or dorsal recumbent positions. The monitor menu allows changing settings like cuff size and cycle. Taking vitals for pets requires a calm environment and proper cuff placement and sizing. Multiple readings should be taken and averaged, excluding outliers.

1. Notes for Patient Monitor
Blood Pressure - Always be sure to take multiple readings and average them to get a
accurate Results. Somewhere between 3 to 5 times
Cuff Placement – Cats – place cuff around the forelimb between the elbow and the
carpus. If a cat is 5lbs or less place the cuff around the leg above
the elbow. You can also place the cuff around the base of the tail
if the pet is not under anesthesia.
Dogs – It is preferable to place the pet in right lateral, sternal, or
dorsal recumbent positions. Place the cuff on the metacarpus or
metatarsus.
NIBP Menu - You can access the menu by pressing and holding the start/cancel
button for 2 seconds.
This allows you to change cuff size, NIBP cycle, initial inflation,
stat, and MAP/PR.
• Use a subdued environment - soft lights, no white coats, etc.
• Let the feline patient relax for 10 minutes before taking a pressure
• To calm, put the pet on the owner’s or tech’s lap
• Cuff width should be 40% of limb circ. for dogs, 30% for cats
• If in between cuff sizes, round up to the next wider size
• If the one foreleg doesn’t work, try the other
• Find most comfortable site on cat and put that in patient record
• Ensure cuff remains at heart level and is tight
• Use the tech with the best animal skills and patience
• Take 4 or 5 consecutive readings, throw out “wild one” and average the others
• Record who took the pressure, type of monitor, cuff size and cuff location on the
pet
• If velcro doesn’t hold, check monitor’s cuff size setting, initial inflation pressure,
or replace cuff
• NEVER TAPE CUFF IN PLACE AND NEVER TAKE A RECTAL TEMP
BEFORE MEASURING BP
Normals Cat – 124/84
Dog – 133/75
While under anesthesia you want the systolic to be over 80 and under 150.

2. Normal ETC02 – 5-6% or 35-45mgh
OPTIMIZE SENSOR ACCURACY
• Clean with alcohol
• Store fully-extended (don’t wrap)
• Reposition periodically
• Cuff/catheter-free extremity
• Heart level
• Cover site with opaque material
• Keep patient and extremity warm to minimize shivering
• If slippage occurs on tongue, use one layer of gauze over tongue to place the
sensor
• Reflectance sensor available for use during head/neck/dental surgery
Normal SPO2 – 95-100%
ECG – Always place leads as in drawing above. Moisten the electrodes with 70%
alcohol for best effect
• Hair should not be clipped over lead site.
• If matted, only lightly clip, but not down to skin
• Click here for figures on lead placement
• Prepare the lead sites w/ alcohol first, then use the supplied electrode paste

3. • When using the 5-lead system, always remove the exploring lead (brown)
• For cats, place a thin layer of alcohol-saturated cotton over site, apply gel and
attach leads
• Avoid allowing the metal clips to come in contact with metal (each other, metal
exam table, etc)
• To measure respiration , leads must be applied to the chest, not the legs
• To increase size of reading, change gain size to x8/16 and/or turn off Trace 2 on
the display
• Other monitors and motors should not be close to the Unit as this will cause
interference. Fan motors and circulating water pumps are a common source.
• If interference is encountered, turn off each motor one-by-one to determine the
source, and try moving the Cardell to different locations around the patient
• Avoid bending clips too much as this will cause poor contact
• Avoid storing cables in tightly wrapped form, hang straight if possible
• Esophageal probes are available