Technical note: a noninvasive procedure for measuring goat heart rates.

Abstract

Heart rates were obtained simultaneously from FM radio transmitters and heart rate monitors externally mounted on unanesthetized and unrestrained mixed-breed goats. Data from transmitters were highly correlated (r = .92, P < .0001) with data from monitors and the percentage difference in heart rates between the two devices was less than that observed between animals. Analyses also revealed that radio transmitters provided a reliable, repeatable, and valid method for the noninvasive measurement of goat heart rates.