Determination of reference arterial blood pressure values by indirect methods for Kangal dogs

To obtain reference arterial blood pressure values from Kangal dogs, a local giant breed found in Turkey.

Arterial blood pressure measurements were obtained from 48 healthy Kangal dogs using oscillometric and Doppler techniques. The ages of the dogs ranged from two to 96 months, with a mean (sd) age of 36 (16) months.

The effect of age on systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures determined by the oscillometric technique and on systolic pressure determined by the Doppler technique was significant (P<0.001). Blood pressure was found to be higher in mature dogs compared with that in immature dogs. The effect of sex and the interaction between age and sex were not significant (P>0.05). There was a direct relationship between age and oscillometric systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures and Doppler systolic arterial blood pressure both in the whole group and the immature group (P<0.05). Correlation between age and systolic arterial blood pressure measured either by oscillometric or Doppler techniques was not significant in the mature group.

The Kangal dog is bred in various countries including Turkey. It is known that giant breed dogs, such as the Kangal dog, are predisposed to cardiovascular disease. Canine arterial blood pressure values are highly breed and age dependent, so a reference value for any other breed is inappropriate for Kangal dogs. Therefore, it is important to measure arterial blood pressure of Kangal dogs.