Optimizing the experimental environment for dog telemetry studies.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to test the influence of housing conditions on hemodynamics during cardiovascular general pharmacological studies. Our goal was to optimize both the quality of the data through an optimization of the physiological conditions, as well as to ensure the dog's well-being in general pharmacological studies.


METHODS
Two groups of four dogs were equipped with radiotelemetry transmitters and continuously monitored in two different housing models. Model I consisted of 4 cages, two on each site of a corridor. Model II consisted of 4 cages positioned in a row, where the bordering cages were not separated with a metal plate. The physiological status of the dogs in the different housing models was based on the frequency of vocalizations and the average resting heart rate, as well as video monitoring.


RESULTS
The housing arrangement during the study had a remarkable effect on the hemodynamics measured. The hemodynamic parameters were best when the dogs were housed with their usual run mate. In this setting, they have impressively low average heart rates of about 60 bpm during the entire study, was associated with fewer vocalizations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that the quality of the acquired cardiovascular data for conscious dogs is dependent on the pen configuration and group make-up during a study.
Klumpp
Anja
A
Department of Drug Discovery Support, General Pharmacology Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.
Trautmann
Thomas
T
Markert
Michael
M
Guth
Brian
B
D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004285:Dogs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013686:Telemetry / Q000379:methods*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology