Frequent high-intensity exercise entails cardiac remodelling both in humans and animals. In dogs, especially those used for top-level competition, it is of great interest to learn whether they develop the so-called athletic heart syndrome.

In order to improve the clinical monitoring on behalf of the veterinarians who tend to these animals, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH) of Valencia, Milagros Benito, has proposed a cardiac assessment protocol based on an electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination of these dogs before and after a racing effort, seeking an early detection of the cardiac indicators that differentiate athletic heart syndrome from other cardiac diseases.

Specifically, the study by professor Benito, published in international journal Animals and conducted in collaboration with French veterinarian Laure Boutigny, has focused on a very specific type of canine: the Greyster.

This breed is known for its excellent results in competitions such as 'bikejöring', a type of mushing, or dog-pulled sledge, that is very demanding from the point of view of the intensity of the aerobic exercise required, as the dogs that take part can reach speeds of up to 42 kilometres per hour.

"Greysters are a cross between the German Pointer and the Greyhound, which often take part in these mushing competitions, both on snow and dryland, in which they are good competitors. Before and after each race they undergo clinical examinations that include cardiovascular parameters, which are the ones we have revised in this study to flesh them out," highlights the CEU UCH professor.

The research included the full monitoring of 22 Greyster hounds in these competitions, comparing, before and after each race, changes to their blood pressure, heart rate and the different variables of the echocardiogram results.

The study establishes which changes to these parameters are a result of the physical effort of the competition, and which can be an indicator of a possible cardiac disease, in order to treat it as soon as possible.

"The obtained results show the usefulness of adding the echocardiogram to clinical cardiac evaluation: it can be very useful for veterinarians who look out for the well-being and health of these animals, as it would allow them to identify the existence of physiological adaptative changes (athletic heart syndrome) or whether there are signs of other cardiac diseases which, as happens in humans, must be identified as soon as possible, especially given that these animals conduct intense physical exercise," highlights the author of the research.

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