Validation of Wireless Harness for Measuring Respiratory Rate, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Hospitalized Dogs

Continuous monitoring of vital signs could improve patient care in veterinary hospitals by identifying changes earlier and reducing patient stress from repeated handling. This study aimed to assess the agreement between a wireless harness device and manual measurement of heart rate, respiratory rate...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jessie Warhoe, Sydney Simpson, Benjamin Goldblatt, Kristin Zersen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/626
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Continuous monitoring of vital signs could improve patient care in veterinary hospitals by identifying changes earlier and reducing patient stress from repeated handling. This study aimed to assess the agreement between a wireless harness device and manual measurement of heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature in hospitalized dogs. Nineteen client-owned dogs wore the harness throughout hospitalization and paired manual and harness measurements were collected every 4–8 h. Linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess agreement. The device demonstrated strong correlation with manual measurements for heart rate and respiratory rate; however, the limits of agreement (LoA) exceeded predefined clinical thresholds, indicating high variability in individual readings. Temperature measurements showed a mean difference of 1.34 °F (manual minus harness), indicating underestimation by the harness. The LoA for temperature also exceeded predefined clinical thresholds, particularly in dogs with long fur. Fur length significantly influenced respiratory rate and temperature measurements, but not heart rate. Chest conformation also impacted respiratory rate and temperature accuracy. Heart rate was the most consistent parameter across all body types. Overall, the device tracked trends in heart rate and respiratory rate, supporting its potential as a supplemental monitoring tool. However, measurements should be confirmed manually prior to clinical decision-making.
ISSN:2306-7381