Effect of anesthesia and surgery on energy expenditure determined by indirect calorimetry in dogs with malignant and nonmalignant conditions

OBJECTIVE: To determine energy expenditure (EE) of apparently resting, client-owned dogs with malignant or nonmalignant diseases that were recovering from anesthesia and surgery, and compare those values with values from clinically normal, apparently resting, client owned dogs. ANIMALS: 40 apparently resting, client-owned dogs that had been given general anesthesia for various elective and nonelective surgical procedures, and 30 apparently resting, clinically normal client-owned dogs used as controls. PROCEDURE: EE was determined, using an open-flow indirect calorimetry system. Each dog was evaluated before and after surgery (0, 1, 2, and 3 days after surgery, then at suture removal > 14 days later) and compared with apparently resting, clinically normal, client-owned dogs (n = 30). Parameters evaluated were rate of oxygen consumption (Vo2/kg of body weight: ml/min/kg; Vo2/kg0.75: ml/min/kg0.75), EE (EE/kg: kcal/kg/d; EE/kg0.75: kcal/kg0.75/d), and respiratory quotient. RESULTS: Surgery and anesthesia did not significantly alter any of these parameters at any time assessed in any group. The pretreatment Vo2 and EE were significantly lower in the dogs with cancer, compared with dogs of other groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the EE of a restricted group of dogs that undergo anesthesia and surgery for malignant and nonmalignant conditions does not increase from baseline values or when compared with values in clinically normal, client-owned dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This information may be of value when planning nutritional treatment for dogs recovering from anesthesia and surgery.