Finding Reference Intervals of Temperature, Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate of German Shepherds in Bogor, Indonesia

Abstract

Reference intervals are ideally defined on apparently healthy individuals and should be distinguished from clinical decision limits that are derived from known diseased patients. The objectives of this research were to obtain the reference intervals of temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate of German Shepherds in Bogor, Indonesia. 13 male German Shepherd dogs were used, 8 young and 5 mature. 13 female German Shepherds were used, 5 young and 8 mature. Temperature was obtained using an infrared thermometer, heart rate was obtained using the stethoscope and respiratory rate was observed visually. The reference interval of temperature for German Shepherds using temporal artery thermometry is 38.0°C-39.0°C. The reference interval of heart rate for German Shepherds from ages 4 months to less than 2 years is 80-116 beats per minute (bpm), while from ages 2 years to 10 years is 82 to 108 bpm. The observed interval of respiratory rate for German Shepherds is 25-29 breaths per minute in ages 4 months to less than 2 years and 20-35 breath per minute in ages 2 years to 10 years. However, the results obtained does not differ due to the effects of environment temperature.