Development of a Perceived Exertion Scale for Dogs Exercising on a Land Treadmill using Selected Physiologic Parameters

Introduction: Our objective was to develop a perceived exertion scale (PES) for dogs exercising on a land treadmill and to assess intra- and inter-observer variability.

Materials and Methods: Fifteen dogs participated in paired exercise trials. Complete blood count, biochemical panel, urinalysis and lactate were obtained before, during and after exercise. Heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, regional tissue oximetry (rSO₂) and PES score were also recorded. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients (significance p < 0.05).

Results: Thirteen dogs completed both trials. There were positive correlations between manual heart rate and glucose, respiratory rate and temperature in trials 1 and 2. Respiratory rate was positively correlated with lactate and temperature in both trials. Trial 1: glucose was positively correlated with respiratory rate and temperature. Glucose and lactate were negatively correlated. Holter heart rate was positively correlated with temperature, respiratory rate, glucose and PES score. For each incremental increase on the PES, glucose decreased 2.112 g/dL. Trial 2: Holter heart rate was positively correlated with PES. rSO₂ decreased, respiratory rate increased, and temperature increased for each incremental increase on the PES. Spearman correlations were positive between inter-observer PES score in both trials. There was no significant difference between the results of the first and second trials.

Discussion/Conclusion: There was consistent and repeatable use of a PES for monitoring dogs exercising on a land treadmill. Further validation is needed before clinical application.

Acknowledgement: Funded by the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine Companion Animal Research Grant Program (Wayne D. and Josephine H. Spangler Fund).