07/03/2015

Measuring Avian Blood Pressure | LafeberVet

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Introduction

Equipment

Method

Normal Values

Abnormal Values

References

Measuring Avian Blood Pressure

Date: May 27, 2007
By: Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, DACVECC
Keywords: blood pressure, hypertension, hypotension
Categories: Avian, Emergency Medicine

Introduction
Arterial blood pressure measurement is an important tool in the management of the critically ill bird.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted against the blood vessel wall during contraction of the
heart. Although direct arterial pressure measurement is ideal, it is not commonly used because of the
need for specific technical skill, invasive nature of the procedure, and cost of equipment. Non-invasive
or indirect blood pressure measurement techniques are based on detection of blood flow beneath an
inflated cuff (Fig 1). Although there are several methods to measure indirect or non-invasive blood
pressure, ultrasonic Doppler flow detection (Doppler) appears to work much better than the
oscillometric method in avian patients. Systolic blood pressure determination via Doppler has been
found to correlate well with direct blood pressure measurements in mallard ducks (Anas
platyrhynchos).

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07/03/2015

Measuring Avian Blood Pressure | LafeberVet

Figure 1. Indirect or non-invasive blood pressure in an African

grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Photo credit: Marla
Lichtenberger.

Equipment
Doppler blood pressure monitor (Parks Medical Corp.)
Pediatric Doppler probe
Doppler blood pressure cuff with attached sphygmomanometer
Doppler blood pressure gel

Method
Place the Doppler cuff on the distal humerus or femur, then place the Doppler probe on the medial
surface of the proximal ulna or tibiotarsus, respectively (Fig 2). Doppler gel is used to enhance contact
between the probe and skin. Inflate the cuff bladder to a suprasystemic pressure that extinguishes the
Doppler signal. As the cuff is slowly deflated, the first sound heard denotes the systolic pressure.

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Figure 2. Indirect Doppler blood pressure monitoring in a bird.

Click image to enlarge.

Normal Values
The normal systolic blood pressure for psittacine birds under isoflurane or sevoflurane anesthesia is
90 to 150 mmHg, and the same measurement for conscious psittacines is 90 to 180 mmHg.

Abnormal Values
Birds are considered hypotensive when blood pressure is less than 90 mmHg systolic. Treatment of
hypotension involves monitoring blood pressure, removal of the underlying cause, and volume support
for hypovolemia (see Fluid therapy). Hypertension has not yet been defined in psittacine birds, but
clinical signs with a Doppler blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg, may be indicative of
hypertension in psittacine birds.

References
Goelz, MF, Hahn AW, Kelley ST. Effects of halothane and isoflurane on mean arterial blood
pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in adult Pekin ducks. Am J Vet Res 51(3): p. 458-60,
1990.
Lichtenberger M. Determination of indirect blood pressure in the companion bird. Seminars in
Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine 14(2):149-152, 2005.
Lichtenberger M, Orcutt C, Debehnke D, et al. Mortality and response to fluid resuscitation
after blood loss in mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Proc Assoc Avian Vet, 2002. Pp. 6570.
Ludders JW, Mitchell GS, Rode J. Minimal anesthetic concentration and cardiopulmonary
dose response of isoflurane in ducks. Vet Surg 19(4): 304-307, 1990.

To cite this page:

Lichtenberger M. Measuring avian blood pressure. May 27, 2007. LafeberVet Web site.
Available at http://lafeber.com/vet/measuring-avian-blood-pressure/

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