GRANDSLAM DOBERMANNS

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                                        HOLTER MONITOR  FOR RENT.

Holter monitor rental

 Holter monitor is a medical device that monitors the electrical signals sent to the heart for a 24 hour period. EKGs or ECGs monitor the same thing, but only for up to three minutes. This is not sufficient to rule out ARVC in the dogs.

Holter Monitor Rental

 As a Dobermann enthusiast, the health of our dogs is extremely important to me. That is why I offer our personal Holter monitor available for rent.

The $130 rental fee covers a test kit for one dog, protective neoprene vest and the use of the holter monitor for ten (10) days (including shipping), late fee is $5 per day after ten days. If you desire to holter more than one dog, additional kits for each can be purchased for $10.00. Interpretation of the tape is not included in the rental fee.

Renter is responsible for any damage while in the renter's possession, and must pay the costs of repair or replacement. A $100 damage deposit is necessary to cover damage and assure the monitor's timely return. Upon its safe return, your deposit will be returned to you.

To help with the testing process, a copy of detailed instructions for preparing the monitor, placement of the electrodes and proper hook up for the leads will be enclosed.

If you are interested in using my Holter Monitor, email me with your name, address, dates you need the holter, number of dogs to be tested and the breed(s).

7-Lead Holter Monitor Hook-Up Instructions

Before starting, make sure to:

  • Place a new 9-volt battery in to holter unit. Make sure polarity is correct.
  • Identify audiotape. Write YOUR NAME, DOG'S NAME and DATE. Insert tape into recorder with SIDE A up.
  • Fill in holter event log. Provide ALL information requested. If available provide AKC number. Get holter diary log.
  • Have alcohol and guaze, cloth or cotton balls on hand to degrease skin after shaving.
  • For the best adhesion, clip the hair as close to the skin as possible over the sites marked for electrodes

  • Carefully snap leads to electrodes (leads are attached to electrodes prior to placement on dog).

     

  • Peel off protective backing from electrodes and place one electrode on each marked site as instructed above. Press around adhesive collar of electrode but do not press in center of electrode.
  • Clean each site with alcohol/cotton balls at least three times to remove all oils and dirt from the skin. Allow to air dry.

     

     

     If using a 5-lead monitor (which does not have the blue and orange leads), simply move the black and white leads down one space.

                                        Patient Prep

  • Locate electrode sites by counting forward from the last (13th) rib. Make a dot with a Sharpie or magic marker once you have located the spot. On the dog's left, mark the first electrode site at the space between the 6th and 7th ribs just next to the sternum (the sternum is in the center of the chest and facing the ground). The second electrode will go directly above the first at the costochondral junction, also in the space between 6th and 7th ribs. The third electrode will be placed anywhere behind these (location is not critical). On the dog's right side, mark the first electrode site between the 6th and 7th ribs near the sternum and the second site immeditely behind the first.   

                                           Recorder Prep

  • Label the cassette tape with patient's name and date.

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  • Place the 9V battery in the recorder (check polarity).

     

  • Disengage headbar latch by pushing the latch button toward the side of the recorder in the direction shown by the arrow.

     

  • Insert 60 minute cassette tape by first placing the edge of the cassette that does not have the tape exposed against the retainer clip until it drops over the spindles. If the cassette is properly installed, the full hub will appear on the supply spindle. Push the headbar latch all the way forward toward the tape to begin reording when ready (see Applying the Recorder).

  • Applying the Recorder

  • Secure all electrodes to the body by taping around the chest with Expandover making sure the wires are all gathered and covered by the tape. The Expandover should be snug but not so tight that the dog has to make an effort to breathe. After all of the electrodes and wiring are covered, activate the recorder by pushing the headbar latch all the way forward against the tape. note starting time on diary. Observe tape to verify that it is turning. Close the cover and insert recorder into protective cover. Secure with velcro strap. Continue to wrap another layer of Expandover around the dog's body incorporating the holter monitor over or slightly to one side of the dog's spine. Use additional Expandover to prevent the monitor from slipping backwards on the dog by crossing in front of the dog's chest. Secure the monitor further (and prevent Expandover from peeling off) by using either porous tape or Elasticon over the Expandover by encircling the chest twice more (on top of Expandover) making sure that the monitor is securely fastened to the dog's back.

     

  • Our dogs with the holter, featuring:

  • Eria Pro Cintia

  • Keep a diary or log of the dog's activities. Note time and activity at various times throughout the day. If any significant events occur (fainting, weakness, etc.) carefully note time and duration. Try to encourage exercise while the dog is wearing the monitor and note on the log the time and duration of the exercise. Remember to send the diary with the cassette to the evaluator. The diary should include the dog's name, the date, start/finish times and activity log.

  • Disconnecting the Recorder

  • Unwrap the tape from around the monitor and dog. Cutting is not recommended, as it is extremely easy to cut a wire.

     

  • Once the monitor is freed, release the recording head by opening the cover and pushing the headbar latch button toward the side of the recorder in the direction indicated by the arrow. Remove the tape and the battery, marking the battery sticker to indicate the number of uses. Each battery can be used five times as long as the battery is removed between analyses. Continue to unwrap the tape until the electrodes are exposed. Unsnap the lead wires from the electrodes. Place the recording head in standby position. Close the cover and place monitor in padded case for storage.

     

  • Remove electrodes from the dog. These are difficult to remove and do cause the dog some discomfort, so be gentle.

  • Test kit includes: 1 audio tape, 1 set of leads, 7 electrodes and envelope to send the cassette and documents.

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  • HOLTER monitoring is a valuable noninvasive tool for monitoring the cardiac rhythm over a prolonged period during normal daily activities. The advent of this diagnostic test has demonstrated that the incidence of serious arrhythmias is much greater than previously determined using routine electrocardiography. A resting electrocardiogram is typically recorded for several seconds to several minutes and is likely to miss or underestimate the underlying arrhythmia.

    24 hour Holter Monitoring is a good way to detect heart problems that other tests can’t, in particular, Cardiomyopathy which is a disease of the heart muscle. Dogs and cats that seem fit and seemingly healthy, even with normal ECGs and echocardiograms, can suddenly collapse and die due to lethal arrhythmias.

    ·        Analogue recorders (volume dependant) with results within 24 hours… or sooner

    ·        All equipment provided  for a reasonable price 

    ·        Upon receipt of data, 24 hour turnaround guaranteed on all reports (M-F)

    ·        Stat reports at no additional cost

    ·        Full disclosure available upon request

    Which breeds benefit from Holter Monitoring?

    A lot of breeds can suffer from Cardiomyopathy which can be hard to detect in its early stages, that’s why the 24 hour test is useful. Holter Monitors are used for dogs more often than for cats (possibly due to the size of the monitors). Below are the breeds identified as being prone to Cardiomyopathy:

    DOGS
    Bouvier de Flanders, Boxer, Bull Mastiff, Cocker Spaniel, Dobermann , German Shepperd, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Saluki.

    CATS
    Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persians, American and British Shorthairs, Turkish Vans, and Norwegian Forest cats, to name a few.

    Signs and Symptoms (both dogs and cats)

    ·        Lethargy

    ·        Weight loss

    ·        Rapid, labored & noisy breathing

    ·        Decreased activity

    ·        Congestive heart failure

    ·        Irregular heart rhythm

    ·        Heart murmur

    ·        Coughing

    ·        Lameness or paralysis of the hind legs

     

    Using a Holter Monitor

    What is involved:

    ·        Patches of hair may be clipped/shaved

    ·        Needs to be able to stand or lie quietly while the Holter is attached as a totally out of control animal could be difficult to Holter.

    ·        Your dog/cat may feel frightened.

    ·        Sticky electrodes/tape will be attached to the shaved patches of skin so will need a good cleaning to get rid of the residue afterwards (a bit like the sticky stuff left on human skin after a Band-Aid is removed). You can buy orange oil based products for removing this.

    ·        During the monitoring, the dog/cat should be fine - most dogs forget about the Holter after a short time. Cats usually don’t seem to forget quite so easily.

     

    What’s involved for you:

    ·        Keep them under adequate supervision while they go about normal activities wearing the Holter. A good analogy is to think of your dog/cat having stitches on their back and bandages over the top - that gives you an idea of the kind of supervision and care you need to take while they're wearing the Holter. Try to keep them from being in places where the bandages could get snagged on something, and also avoid other animals jumping on them or chewing at the bandages.

    ·        After about 24 hours the Holter can be removed.

    What can go wrong?:

    ·        It is possible that you wouldn’t get a decent reading because the electrodes weren’t secured enough. At Pet Cardiology, if a Holter isn’t readable, the second test is done at no charge.

    ·        Leads may get damaged. It costs about $60 for a set of leads, including freight. This would only be likely to happen if your dog or cat isn’t supervised as it takes a lot of effort for them to get at the leads to damage them. Be careful not to cut the wires when removing the Holter!

    ·        The Holter unit may be damaged. The Holter is pretty sturdy and can handle being bumped around through normal activities. Damage is only likely to occur if not properly supervised, e.g. left to chew the bandages and harness off, left with other animals, or left in an enclosure where the Holter unit could get caught or crushed.

    You would have to be pretty careless to damage the unit or the leads – common sense is normally enough to keep the equipment safe. Dogs are rather boisterous, more so than cats, so more attention is needed for dogs.

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