Changes in the behavior and physiological data of the beagles during the test of the floating escape device

Abstract

Objective To observe changes in the behavior and physiological data of the beagles during the test of the floating escape device and also to evaluate the safety of the floating escape device.Methods Six male beagles were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group,each consisting of 3 animals.The animals in the experimental group were put in the floating escape device.The high-definition digital video camera and the observer system were used to analyze the animal behavior.Heart rate,electrocardiogram (ECG),blood pressure,body temperature and respiration of the animals were continuously monitored by using the G3 multi-parameter monitoring system,during the process of the floating test.Results During the floating test,respiratory frequency,blood pressure,heart rate and temperature of the beagles in the experimental group fluctuated within normal range,ECG detected was quite similar to that of the control animals.When compared with those of the control animals,the experimental animals had higher levels of blood pressure,heart rate and respiratory frequency,which might be associated with the changed environment and strained emotion.But on the whole,the emotion of the experimental animals was stable,though there were differences in the behaviors of the experimental animals at different experimental stages,but no abnormal behaviors could be observed.Conclusions The animal test of the floating escape device indicated that the release and floating of the device as well as towing on the sea surface were safe to the animals.No serious harms to the physiology and behavior of the animals could be observed during the floating test. Key words: Floating escape device; Safety; Ethology; Physiology; Beagles