Randomized comparison between a forced air system and warm water bath for resuscitation of neonatal hypothermic calves with or without oral administration of caffeine

Background

Hypothermia is a cause of neonatal calf death in cold climates. Practical and effective rewarming methods are important for bovine health within affected regions.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare the rewarming rate and blood analytes (glucose, lactate, and cortisol) of calves resuscitated with forced air with warm water bath, with or without oral administration of caffeine.

Animals

Twenty healthy neonatal Holstein bull calves.

Methods

In this randomized, prospective study, calves born healthy and without history of dystocia were cooled to 32°C rectal temperature then thermally resuscitated using either forced air rewarming or warm water bath (40°C) with or without oral administration of caffeine. Rectal temperatures were used to quantify recovery rate. Measurements of glucose, lactate, and cortisol were recorded for every 2°C change in rectal temperature.

Results

Rectal temperature decline (0.03°C per minute) and total cooling time (191.0 ± 33.3 minutes) did not significantly differ among treatment groups. Calves were successfully resuscitated to 38°C by either method. Time required to euthermia using warm water was significantly faster (0.1°C per minute; 64.3 ± 17.8 minute; P < .05) than forced air (0.05°C per minute; 123.1 ± 20.0 minutes). Caffeine had no significant effect on resuscitation rate (P = .14; 95% CI, −0.002 to 0.024) in either treatment; however, caffeine was associated with reduced time to euthermia by 8.3 and 10.8 minutes, respectively. Changes in metabolic variables (glucose, lactate, and cortisol), were inversely related to rectal temperature with no statistical significance among rewarming methods.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although warm water submersion is faster, forced air rewarming is an effective alternative for restoration of euthermia.