Choosing your multi-parameter monitor

Choosing a new multi-parameter monitor for everyday use in your practice is not a light undertaking. It will inevitably come with significant financial investment and will need to serve the practice, possibly daily, for several years to come.

Features, performance, reliability, suitability, and price vary between different manufacturers and models. Some monitors are designed for specific needs that you may not require for most of your patients. In the below guide, we look at the features you need to consider in a monitor that covers your day-to-day requirements in a small animal veterinary practice.

If you are looking for a more in-depth guide or are considering a monitor that is also capable of monitoring more specialist patients, such as equine and exotics, you can read our full buyers guide here: Upgrading or investing? How to choose your new multi-parameter monitor.

Species range

For most small animal veterinary practices, a standard multi-parameter monitor will cover the range of species you see on a day-to-day basis. If you specialise in exotics, you may need to look at a more specialised monitor that can interpret heart rates in smaller animals. Some standard multi-parameter monitors even have lower sample rate options, meaning they can monitor even the smallest of kittens or small furies in your practice more accurately. (How to choose your new multi-parameter monitor).

Portability and battery power

It is worthwhile considering where your monitor will be used. Is it going to be positioned in one place? Or moved around the practice? If it is to be moved around, does the monitor you are looking at have a trolley option?

Is there a wall mount bracket available for it to be fixed in one place? And how heavy is it if it's going to be moved around by your staff a lot? Some newer multi-parameter monitors are now surprisingly light.

Required parameters

ECG monitoring

This is a simple monitoring modality which, usually requires the placement of 3 or 4 cables at strategic points on the patient. 

A 3-cable ECG is usually standard, this will give you one channel at a time (Leads I-III). This is normally Lead II, but some monitors allow you to select the channel you wish to view. For example, you may have placed red, green and yellow cables on your patient and be viewing a Lead II trace (Red-Green), but you may be able to change this to a Lead I trace (Red-Yellow), or a Lead III trace (Red-Green).

For patient monitoring purposes, showing only one lead at a time is often all that is needed and usually, Lead II is the most informative. Another consideration for this is whether you require an oesophageal probe, as not all multi-parameter monitors support these. (How to choose your new multi-parameter monitor).

Temperature monitoring

Ensure the suitability of the available probes in terms of length and size relative to the patient range that you will be using the monitor for. Oesophageal probes often have a temperature sensor embedded in them allowing ECG and temperature measurements to be taken without the inconvenience of multiple cables across the operating table. (How to choose your new multi-parameter monitor).

Capnography

There are two methods of capnography – mainstream or sidestream:

Mainstream capnography

A small cube-like sensor is connected to the end of the endotracheal (ET) tube and the inhaled/exhaled gases pass through the sensor.

Sidestream capnography

A small sampling line takes some of the inhaled/exhaled gas to the monitor and performs the analysis inside the unit. (How to choose your new multi-parameter monitor).

For a wide range of patients, especially when that range covers a lot of very small animals such as small furies and cats, sidestream capnography is the most suitable option. Most multi-parameter monitors only offer sidestream capnography as standard.

Blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring is used in conscious patients and those under anaesthesia, therefore, consider whether this feature will be used outside of the operating theatre or whether the unit would be a dedicated theatre unit. Size and portability may impact your decision if the unit is to be used for both.

For routine small animal caseloads, NIBP is the most common method and is standard on most multi-parameter monitors, but do check, as some monitors need extra parameter modules added. IBP may be required when used with horses or for small animals in the intensive care environment.

What to look out for when buying a multi-parameter monitor

When you're choosing a monitor, what's included in the package is a key consideration. Does it come with a trolley or mounting option? Are all necessary accessories included, or will you have to purchase additional items like an exhaust kit? Finally, does the company offer a reliable repair and service plan to minimise downtime?

Our top pick for everyday patient monitoring of small animals

Edan X12 Multi-Parameter. Designed for user-friendliness, this monitor features an ultra-slim, compact body and a tilted touchscreen with a super-sensitive response. Its intuitive dashboard, complete with a simple night mode, makes it easy for any user to operate.

You'll get reliable monitoring of all key vital parameters (ECG, NIBP, SPO₂, Temp, and Sidestream CO₂). For your smallest patients, the low 50ml/minute capnography sampling rate provides more accurate and reliable readings than most other monitors on the market.

Our top pick for small animals and specialist patients

The Vetronic Lightning is a multi-parameter monitor built for all species, designed to grow with your practice. This compact, robust unit delivers full monitoring performance with a range of optional parameters, including ECG, CO₂, Agent, Pulse-Oximetry, IBP, NIBP, and Temperature.

The Lightning's key benefit is its adaptability. You can start with the basic parameters you need now and easily add more later as your practice expands, all without the cost of a new machine. These new parameters are fitted internally, so the monitor remains exceptionally light and portable.

The monitor also comes with free, advanced software that can be installed on any existing practice PC. This software allows you to customise your patient view with unlimited presets, giving each staff member their preferred setup at the click of a button.

If a full multi-parameter monitor isn't a fit for your practice, there are excellent alternative options available. For example, the Suntech Vet20 offers reliable blood pressure monitoring for small animals such as cats. For simple, handheld capnography, the M880B features an easy-to-use touchscreen, making day-to-day use a breeze. No matter your budget, you can find a solution that helps you monitor patients effectively and with confidence.

Making your decision

Choosing the right monitor for your practice is a big decision, and we know all the options can feel overwhelming. If you need a little help, our experts are here for you on 01622 834300, or complete our online contact form to get started.

References: K Simpson, C Scales (2022): Upgrading or Investing? How to choose your multi-parameter monitor. Available from: burtonsveterinary.com