Introduction

Blood pressure (BP) measurement can be influenced by several factors including age, size, daytime, and measurement site (MS). The last would be of concern due to the canine anatomic and behavioural characteristics. Few studies have documented differences among MS in dogs.

Objectives

Determine BP values in different MS by oscillometry in conscious dogs and the relationship between BP with heart rate (HR), weight and age.

Methods

The procedure was conducted in 22 clinically healthy dogs without the presence of the owners. Dogs were allowed several minutes to acclimatize. All dogs were gently restrained in lateral recumbency. Series of 5 measurements (systolic arterial pressure - SAP, diastolic - DAP, and mean pressures - MAP) were obtained at the level of the median, cranial tibial and median caudal arteries respectively. ANOVA test was used to determine differences in BP between MS. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association with HR, weight and age. The results in all tests were considered significant when p < 0.05.

Results

The SAP and MAP were higher for the right cranial tibial artery (158 mm Hg; p = 0.01) and 120 mm Hg, p = 0.03, respectively). There were no relationships between BP with HR, weight and age.

Conclusions

Differences may be due to the duration of the procedure or other psychological factors more than anatomical or physiological reasons. DAP remained steady and highlights its importance for concurrent measurements.

Acknowledgement

This study was partially supported by The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (Institutional Research Development).