Thermoregulation

Body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus; therefore, it is important to measure core body temperature that is in close approximation to the hypothalamus. This chapter discusses a procedure for monitoring the body temperature of animals during the perioperative period. It discusses hypothermia that occurs when heat loss is greater than heat production. The hypothermia can be classified into primary or secondary based on the cause of the hypothermia. The primary hypothermia results from a patient's exposure to a cold environment and the secondary hypothermia may result from the effects of anesthetic drugs or from illness, which alters heat production and effects thermoregulation. The chapter discusses hyperthermia that occurs in anesthetized patients. The hyperthermia may occur with prolonged, stressful inductions during high ambient temperatures. The chapter discusses patient heat loss during the perioperative period can be classified into evaporative, conductive and radiant heat loss.