Investigating the relationship between heart rate changes and the human-animal bond: Insights from an external telemetry system

Yıl 2023, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 3, 138 - 147, 31.12.2023

Nilay Seyidoğlu , Eda Koseli , Cenk Aydin

https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1383365

Öz

Heart rate changes and respiratory activities are vital physiological phenomena that provide valuable insights into the physiological and psychological states of family dogs. The bond between humans and their pet dogs necessitates a deeper understanding of this relationship. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the human-animal bond by examining heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate (breathe per minute, BPM), and tidal volume (TV) using an external telemetry system. A total of ten dogs were selected as participants, and their cardio-respiratory responses were evaluated in an unfamiliar environment. The baseline data for the study was established during the first stage of the Strange Situation Test (SST), known as "dog with owner." The analysis focused on changes in HR, HRV, BPM, and TV throughout the different stages of the SST. Interestingly, the results demonstrated that changes in HR did not consistently correspond to changes in HRV across all stages. During the initial encounter with the stranger (episode b, stranger entering), there were notable percentage changes in HR, HRV, and TV, despite an overall increase in BPM, although not significant. In the third stage (stranger alone with the dog), both HR and HRV parameters, as well as TV, displayed increased percentage changes, whereas BPM exhibited a decrease. Furthermore, when the dog interacted with the stranger for the second time (episode f), HR and BPM increased, while HRV and TV decreased. This pattern suggests a shift towards a more active and alert state in response to the renewed social interaction. In contrast, when the dog was left alone (episode e), HR and BPM decreased, while HRV and TV increased. Overall, these findings provide evidence that changes in heart rate and respiratory parameters reflect the emotional stress experienced by family dogs in various social contexts. Moreover, the utilization of the external telemetry system in this study offers a promising model for investigating the effects of pharmacological interventions, behavioral interventions, and animal-assisted therapy in animals. By gaining a deeper understanding of the human-animal bond, we can further enhance the well-being and quality of life for both dogs and their human companions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

External telemetry, family dog, heart rate variability, human animal bond.

Proje Numarası

OUAP(V)-2016/8

Kaynakça

• Ainsworth, M., Blehar, M., Waters, E. & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. first ed. Erlbaum, NewYork, Hillsdale, NJ.
• Bailey, E., Grant, C., Barnard, C. & Lainee, P. (2012). Inclusion of blood pressure measurements in canine toxicology studies. AstraZeneca, Global Safety Assessment, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, United Kingdom. From http:// https://www.emka.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bailey2011.pdf
• Baisan, R.A., Condurachi, E.I. & Vulpe, V. (2020). Short-term heart-rate variability in healthy small and medium-sized dogs over a five-minute measuring period. Journal of Veterinary Research, 64, 161-167.
• Billman, G.E. (2011). Heart rate variability - a historical perspective. Frontiers in Physiology, 2, 86.
• Billman, G. (2013). The effect of heart rate on the heart rate variability response to autonomic interventions. Frontiers in Physiology, 4, 222.
• Bogucki, S. & Noszczyk-Nowak, A. (2015). Short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy dogs. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 18, 307-312.
• Fallani, G., Prato Previde, E. & Vaşsecchi, P. (2007). Behavioral and physiological responses of guide dogs to a situation of emotional distress. Physiology & Behavior. 90, 648-655.
• Gácsi, M., Maros, K., Sernkvist, S., Faragó, T. & Miklósi, A. (2013). Human analogue safe haven effect of the owner: behavioural and heart rate response to stressful social stimuli in dogs. PLoS One. 8(3), e58475.
• Gerencsér, L., Vásárhelyi, G., Nagy, M., Vicsek, T. & Miklósi, A. (2013). Identification of behaviour in freely moving dogs (Canis familiaris) using inertial sensors. PLoS One, 8(10), e77814.
• Hamano, S. (2002). Attachment to companion animals (dog) scale, annual bulletin of clinical center for developmental disorders, Shirayuri College. (pp. 26-35).
• Handlin, L., Hydbring-Sandberg, E., Nilsson, A., Ejdebäck, M., Jansson, A. & Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2011). Short-term ınteraction between dogs and their owners: effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate: An exploratory study. Anthrozoös. 24(3), 301-305.
• Holcomb, R., Williams, R. & Richards, P. (1985). The elements of attachment: relationship maintenance and intimacy. Journal of the Delta Society, 2(l), 28-34.
• Johnson, T.P., Garrity. T.F. & Stallones, L. (1992). Psychometric evaluation of the lexington attachment to pets scale (LAPS). Anthrozoiis, 5, 160-175.
• Kleiger R.E., Stein P.K. & Bigger J.T. Jr. (2005). Heart rate variability: measurement and clinical utility. Annual Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 10, 88-101.
• Koolhaas J.M., Baumans V., Blom H.J.M., VonHolst D., Timmermans P.J.A. & Wiepkema P.R. (1993). Behaviour, stress and well-being. In: Zutphen L.F.M., Baumans V. & Beynen A.C. (Eds), Principles of Laboratory Animal Science, (pp.75-99). Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publisher.
• Kuhne, F., Hößler, J.C. & Struwe, R. (2014). Emotions in dogs being petted by a familiar or unfamiliar person: Validating behavioural indicators of emotional statesusing heart rate variability. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 161, 113-120.
• Mongillo, P., Pitteri, E., Carnier, P., Gabai, G., Adamelli, G. & Marinelli, L. (2013). Does the attachment system towards owners change in aged dogs? Physiology & Behavior, 120(2013), 64-69.
• Napoleoni, J.G., Froget, G. & Simonnard, A. (2010). Non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in ambulatory beagle dogs. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, 62(2).
• Palestrini, C., Prato-Previde, E., Spiezio, C. & Verga, M. (2005). Heart rate and behavioural responses of dogs in the Ainsworth’s Strange Situation: A pilot study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 94, 75-88.
• Piccirillo, G., Ogawa, M., Song, J., Chong, V. J., Joung, B., Han, S., Magri, D., Chen, L. S., Lin, S. F. & Chen, P. S. (2009). Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system activity measured directly in healthy dogs and dogs with tachycardia-induced heart failure. Heart Rhythm, 6(4), 546-552.
• Pirintr, P., Chansaisakorn, W., Trisiriroj, M., Kalandakanond-Thongsong, S. & Buranakarl, C. (2012). Heart rate variability and plasma norepinephrine concentration in diabetic dogs at rest. Veterinary Research Communications, 36, 207-214.
• Prato-Previde, E., Custance, D. M., Spiezio, C. & Sabatini, F. (2003). Is the dog-human relationship an attachment bond? An observational study using Ainsworth’s strange situation. Behavior, 140, 225-254.
• Rasmussen, C. E., Falk, T., Zois, N. E., Moesgaard, S. G., Haggstrom, J., Pedersen, H. D., Ablad, B., Nilsen, H. Y. & Olsen, L. H. (2012). Heart rate, heart rate variability, and arrhythmias in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 26, 76-84.
• Rehn, T., McGowan, R. T. S. & Keeling, L. J. (2013). Evaluating the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) to assess the bond between dogs and humans. PLoS One, 8(2),e56938.
• Roche, B., Vinci, T., Armentrout, S., Smith, J., Behringer, S., Gonzalez, E., Wood, B. & Hassler, C. (2011). Evaluation of a non-invasive telemetry method for determining blood pressure in dogs. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, 64(1).
• Sacha, J. (2013). Why should one normalize heart rate variability with respect to average heart rate. Frontiers in Physiology, 4, 306.
• Stein, P. K. & Reddy, A. (2005). Non-linear heart rate variability and risk stratification in cardiovascular disease. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal, 5, 210-220.
• Voss, A., Schroeder, R., Fischer, C., Heitmann, A., Peters, A. & Perz, S. (2013). Influence of age and gender on complexity measures for short term heart rate variability analysis in healthy subjects. Paper presented at the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, pp. 5574-5577.
• Vas, J., Topál, J., Gácsi, M., Miklósi, A. & Csányi, V. (2005). A friend or an enemy? Dogs’ reaction to an unfamiliar person showing behavioural cues of threat and friendliness at different times. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 94, 99-115.
• Zupan, M., Buskas, J., Altimiras, J. & Keeling, L.J. (2016). Assessing positive emotional states in dogs using heart rate and heart rate variability. Physiology & Behavior, 155, 102-111.