Six Minute Walk test standardization for Poodle, Dachshund and Labrador Retriever

• Grant number: 08/04177-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Denise Saretta Schwartz
• Grantee: Andrea Cerqueira Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Exercise intolerance is one of the most frequent signs observed by the owner of dogs with heart or pulmonary disease, obesity and aging, but it is difficult to objectively evaluate. The six minute walk test (6MWT) has been used in humans to evaluate exercise capacity in patients. The test is based on the distance walked by the patient during six minutes. This is a submaximal capacity test, easily performed, inexpensive, and well tolerated also by the animals. The present study has the purpose to standardize the 6MWT for Poodle, Dachshund and Labrador Retriever dogs, not only for their popularity, but also for their tendency to obesity, heart and pulmonary disease. Besides that, to evaluate the influence of the anatomic differences among these breeds on the test results. For this purpose, the distance walked by the dogs of the three different breeds will be compared. Although in a same weight range, the Dachshunds and Poodles present anatomic differences (short limbs of the Dachshund), which may interfere on the distance walked. Considering the variation in size of Poodles, this breed will have two subgroups: poodles between 30 and 45 cm of height and the dogs shorter than 30 cm of height. There will be four groups, with 20 dogs each, with a total of 80 dogs, and balanced for females and males. (AU)