Statistical analyses included Spearman and Pearson correlations, Bland-Altman analyses, and a repeated measures ANOVA with Sidak's post-hoc test (significant at value of p < 0.05). HR was recorded in all methods simultaneously, in eight adult healthy large breed dogs during rest (REST), immediately before TE (PRE), during TE (WALK), and 15 and 60 s after TE (POST-15, POST-60). We hypothesized that the HR would increase by 20% during TE, that HR taken after TE would not be the same as the HR during TE, and that all methods of measurement would have good agreement. The primary objectives of the study were to assess HR in dogs undergoing treadmill exercise (TE) during the walk and to compare the three collection techniques of HR, namely, auscultation, a HR monitor (HR MONITOR), and a Holter monitor (HOLTER). Knowing the expected HR changes during rehabilitation exercises can guide protocols and can optimize post-operative therapy. In dogs, changes in heart rate (HR) can reflect conditioning, fear, anticipation, and pain however, these are not routinely assessed in veterinary rehabilitation patients. 2Sportsvet Veterinary Consulting Services, Lancaster, SC, United States.
