Observational Study on Cardiac Activity in Rescue Dogs with Holter and Electrocardiogram Methodologies during a Simulated Search Activity

TL;DR

This study examined the heart activity of rescue dogs during simulated search tasks using Holter and ECG methods, finding minor cardiac changes during and after work.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using Holter monitoring to detect cardiac changes in working dogs during real-life conditions.

Findings

Few cardiac rhythm alterations were observed, such as escape beats and ST segment changes.

Alterations were more common during work in the Holter group and during recovery in the ECG group.

Holter monitoring may be more functional for detecting changes in real working conditions.

Abstract

Working dogs, specifically search and rescue dogs, represent a fundamental resource in the social field for their activities carried out both in daily life and in disaster conditions. Canine well-being must therefore represent an obligation for the governance of a country as well as veterinary clinical research. Our aim was to verify the use of accurate tools for monitoring cardiac activity during operating in the field. The study conducted with electrocardiogram and Holter methods highlighted, in 31 healthy dogs, the presence of few electrical alterations during work with the use of the Holter or, immediately afterwards, with the use of the electrocardiogram.

The aim of this study was to observe electric cardiac activity in real working conditions, with the application of Holter and the electrocardiogram in search and rescue dogs. Thirty-one handlers of search and rescue dogs voluntarily participated in this study. Nine dogs were selected to wear the Holter, and twenty-three were submitted to electrocardiographic recordings (one dog, excluded by Holter examination, was then included in the ECG group). Our results showed few cardiac rhythm alterations, such as escape beats, premature ventricular beat, and depression and elevation of the ST segment, particularly during the working phase in the Holter group and during recovery time immediately after activity in the electrocardiographic group. Detected alterations in real working conditions may provide more information than routine checks, and Holter monitoring can be more functional. However, not all dogs tolerate wearing the Holter harness, and more time is thus needed to apply the equipment. In addition, the results are not immediate, and the absence of water is essential because it would damage the equipment.

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