Identification of features and assessment of the tone of vegetative regulation in dogs of the Husky breed, when registering an electrocardiogram by the method of variational heart rate measurement

Purpose: assessment of vegetative tone in clinically healthy dogs in the absence of irritants. 

Materials and methods. Studies were conducted in a group of 11 clinically healthy dogs, a breed of husky with a live weight of 19 to 25 kg. ECG recording was conducted on the Conan hardware and software complex. By the method of variational heart rate measurement, an assessment of vegetative tone was carried out. The ECG was recorded first standing, then by the classical method on the right side for 5 minutes, in I, II, III leads; the data obtained were processed by mathematical and statistical methods 

Results. Differences in vegetative tone were distributed as follows: 1 individual (9%) was a versympathotonic, the value of the IN range of 301-600 c.u.; 4 individuals (37 %);  were normotonics, IN from 31-120 c.u.; 6 individuals (55%) were sympathotonic, IN in the range of 121-300. The method of determining the autonomic tone of an individual can be developed and applied to the qualitative selection of dogs with more stable psychophysiological parameters, where necessary. However, it is worth considering that this method should be supplemented with various additional tests and registration conditions, in order to develop a clear understanding of the correlation of variational heart rate measurement indicators with mental and emotional stability. 

1. Lukashin A.V. The influence of emotional stress on changing the electrocardiogram of dogs / A. V. Lukashin // Adaptation and reactivity of pets: materials of the International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Department of Physiology of Animals, Moscow, April April 23-24, 2020. – Moscow: Limited Liability Company Scientific and Production Association "Agricultural Technologies", 2020. – С. 121-127.

2. Katayama M. Heart rate variability predicts the emotional state in dogs / M. Katayama, T. Kubo, K. Mogi, K. Ikeda, M. Nagasawa, T. Kikusui // Behav. Processes. – 2016. – №128. – P. 108-112.

3. Pirintr P. Heart rate variability and plasma norepinephrine concentration in diabetic dogs at rest / P. Pirintr, W. Chansaisakorn, M. Trisiriroj, S. Kalandakanond-Thongsong, C. Buranakarl // Vet. Res. Commun. – 2012. – № 36. – P. 207-214.

4. Baevsky P. M., Kirillov O.I., Kleskin S.S. Mathematical analysis of changes in heart rhythm in stress. – M.: Science, 1984. – 222 p.

5. Adzhimolaev T. A. Vegetative indicators in children and adolescents with emotional stress / T. A. Adzhimolaev et al. // Human physiology. – 1989. – Vol. 15. – № 4. – Р. 40-47.

6. Khodyrev N. Methodological aspects of the analysis of temporary and spectral indicators of the variability of the heart rhythm (review of literature) / N. Khodyrev, S. V. Khlybov, V.I. Kirkin, S. L. Dmitrieva // Vyatka Medical Herald. – 2011. – № 3-4. – Р. 60-70.

7. Shiryaev O. Yu. Violation of vegetative homeostasis with anxious and depressive disorders and methods of their correction / O. Yu. Shiryaev, E. Ivvleva // Applied Information aspects of medicine. – 1999. – Vol. 2. – № 4. – P. 45.