Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured in beagle puppies from 1 week to 6 months of age. A significant increase in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate occurred with growth. These changes are qualitatively similar to those observed in young infants and children. The beagle puppy may be a useful animal model for the study of normal and abnormal maturational changes in blood pressure and heart rate and for the evaluation of pharmacologic agents currently used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the growing and developing infant.

Beagle puppies show significant increases in blood pressure and decreases in heart rate with growth, similar to those observed in young infants and children.

Systolic blood pressure and heart rate in the growing beagle puppy.

Key Takeaway: Beagle puppies show significant increases in blood pressure and decreases in heart rate with growth, similar to those observed in young infants and children.