Changes in Pulse Rate, Respiratory Rate and Rectal Temperature in Working Dogs before and after Three Different Field Trials

Abstract

Simple Summary: Competitions dedicated to working dogs have greatly expanded in order to select the best canine individuals for Search-and-Rescue (SAR) activity. Therefore, it is essential to identify physiological parameters for a rapid clinical evaluation in order to provide useful information on the physical fitness of athlete dogs. In the present study, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were investigated during three different working activities. Heart rate was the most conditioned parameter by exercise and, probably, the most useful to evaluate the canine predisposition and response to work. Respiratory rate and rectal temperature were more affected by environmental variables. Abstract:Physiological changes (pulse rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature) induced by exercise are usually studied as physical fitness indices. The aim of this study was to investigate how these physiological parameters could be modified in a group of trained working dogs during three different field trials (rubble, search on field, obedience), in order to assess which parameter would be more useful to detect the dog response to exercise. Nine dogs were included in this study. The animals were monitored at rest, immediately before and after the working session. Pulse rate values increased significantly in all the phases compared to rest status. Respiratory rate values increased significantly after the competition, while rectal temperature was significantly increased only after search on rubbles and obedience activities. Reference values for specific competitions need to be stablished in order to promptly identify poor performance or exercise intolerance.

Clinical Evaluation of Creatine Kinase and Aspartate Aminotransferase for Monitoring Muscle Effort in Working Dogs in Different Simulated Fieldworks

“…Variations in physiological parameters for working and sports dogs have been investigated during competitive and conditioning activity [1,2,[5][6][7][8]. Pulse and respiratory rates generally increased after activity in response to increased energy production during exercise and to eliminate the produced heat as a by-product.…”

“…Search and rescue dogs (SRDs) have a great social impact due to their invaluable help in finding survivors during catastrophic events, such as earthquakes. Specific skills, such as obedience, handler bonding and human airscent detection are fundamental peculiarities of SRDs, but these athlete dogs also require adequate physical fitness to cover large areas of land when searching, often in adverse conditions [1,2]. In veterinary sports medicine, it is of great relevance to monitor canine training and conditioning to avoid anomalous skeletal muscular response, likely a prodromal state for the onset of muscle fatigue.…”

“…The most investigated biomarkers have been creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), myoglobin and serum lactate concentrations. In veterinary sports dogs and SDRs, physiological parameters have been widely investigated, but scientific information on skeletal muscle biomarkers has been reported less frequently, generally in racing greyhounds or sled dogs, and less frequently, in SRDs [1,2,[5][6][7]. Generally, a mild increase of specific muscle biomarkers was observed in dogs after prolonged endurance exercise and high-intensity racing.…”

Expert Perspectives on the Performance of Explosive Detection Canines: Performance Degrading Factors

“…Each passing minute exposes the EDC team to more external stimuli, and the climate and effects of fatigue and boredom have a cumulative effect [19,22]. Some degrading factors (e.g., heat and humidity) are known before the search begins, have a relatively consistent effect, and manifest in externally observable signs [7,23,24]. Other factors are unknown beforehand (e.g., novel floor surface), may have an inconsistent effect (e.g., wind speed and direction), and may not result in changes in performance apparent to the handler (e.g., helicopter transport) [25].…”

Measuring Farm Animal Emotions—Sensor-Based Approaches

“…However, respiratory rate is a reliable measurement for medical diagnosis and research [ 57 ], for instance an increase in RR is indicative of high stress and potential illness in animals. Moreover, RR is also useful for animals with characteristic respiratory patterns, like dogs [ 91 ], and could be employed in pigs and dairy cattle as well.…”