Mucous membrane color and capillary refill time (the time it takes for the mucous membranes to regain their normal color after pressure is applied) Heart rate and rhythm- stethescope or esophageal stethoscope Pulse rate and pressure- using your fingers Blood pressure- arterial catheter or Doppler cuff required ECG If the animal has pale mucous membranes, the capillary refill time is greater than 2 seconds, or if the other cardiovascular parameters are out of normal range (determine normal for the species you are using!) you may have a cardiovascular emergency. Increasing the rate of intravenous fluid administration will improve cardiac output temporarily. However the depth of anesthesia will need to be reduced and if there is a primary cardiac problem it will require specific treatment. Consult with an RAR veterinarian for more information on anesthetic emergencies. Thermoregulation Animals frequently become hypothermic during anesthesia because of inhalation of cold gases, exposure of body cavities to the room air, and loss of normal thermoregulatory mechanisms and behaviors. Hypothermia depresses all physiologic functions, including respiration and cardiac function, slows the metabolism of anesthetics and results in prolonged recoveries. All of these can contribute to anesthetic death. Hyperthermia is less common, but may occur because of excessive application of heat, hot surgery lights or malignant hyperthermia in genetically pre-disposed animals. To thermoregulate your patient: Monitor the body temperature frequently using a thermometer during the procedure and during anesthetic recovery. While animal normals vary from species- to-species, in general, when body temperature drops below 99 F,