These in turn are attached to a recording device which the dog has strapped onto its back. The dog wears the device for a 24 hour period while performing normal daily function. The tape is then removed and sent for computer analysis. The analysis will determine the number of irregular beats the dog has over the 24 hour period in which it wore the unit. This gives us the ability to predict whether or not the dog is likely to develop or already has cardiomyopathy as well as the severity of the condition should it already exist.
Medications are now available that prolong the dogs life if taken early on in the disease.
In addition, Holter monitoring, when coordinated with pedigrees, should allow us to determine the genetic basis of the disease. Thus by prescreening our breeding stock we should hopefully be able to eliminate this devastating condition from the breed in the near future.