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1: Rip 14 pieces of white tape approximately 2 inches long.
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2: Snap the colored ends of the patient cable to the electrodes. |
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| 3: Shave 7 spots approximately 2 inches by
1.5 inches. Start by shaving a spot directly in between the shoulder
blades, and then make three more spots down each side of the dog.
Each spot should be an inch to two inches away from each other with the
last spot being directly caudal (towards the tail) to the elbow of the
dog. Make sure that each spot is well shaved by shaving against the
hair.Try to keep the spots symmetrical on either side of the dog.
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4: Remove the white electrode from the backing and stick to the most
dorsal shaved patch (between the shoulder blades). Take two pieces of
white tape torn earlier and place over the sides of the electrode. Do
not cover the colored part, just the back of the sticky electrode.
5: Proceed to the next shaved patch down the left side of the dog.
Attach the black colored electrode to this spot and place two pieces of
white tape to either side of the electrode.
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6: Continue down the left side of the dog. The next electrode to be
placed in the same manner as before is the orange one. The red
electrode should be placed on the lowest shaved patch on the dog’s left
side.
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7: Go to the right side of the dog. The colors on this side go
green, blue, and brown. With green being placed on the highest
patch, the blue in the middle patch, and the brown being placed on the
lowest patch.
The green electrode is the ground. It is very important for
this lead to be attached well to the dog’s skin to get a good reading. |
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8: Place a strip of Elastikon over all the electrodes and the white
tape. Start on the right side of the dog and stick it approximately an
inch below the brown electrode. Hold the end against the dog’s body
while unrolling the Elastikon and continue to stick it to the dog while
unrolling it over the dog’s back. Cut the Elastikon so it can be stuck
to the dog at least an inch below the red electrode on the left side. |
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If you find that the Elastikon is not sticking to the dog and is curling
up you may need to do one of the following:
A: Wrap the Elastikon all the way around the dog by going under
the dog’s chest. Note: This may cause some discomfort when
removing the tape at the end of the reading.
B: Use Vet Wrap to go all the way around the dog.
Start at the top of the back and put a piece of white tape on the
end so that it will stick to the Elastikon, and then wrap it all the
way around the dog’s chest. Use another piece of white tape to
secure the end once you have gone all the way around.
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Note: Do not pull too tightly as Vet Wrap stretches and you could make it
too tight around your dog. Also note that Vet Wrap will slide on certain
breeds of dogs’ chests’ so please do not try to substitute the Elastikon with
Vet Wrap. This step will only help to keep the edges of the Elastikon from
curling up and bringing the electrodes with it.
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| 9: Bundle the tiny wire of the patient
cord and place another piece of white tape around the bundle. |
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10: Take the rest of the patient cable and coil it into a circle about
4 inches in diameter between the shoulder blades of the dog leaving
enough of the end of the cable so it reaches to your dog’s collar.
*It is important for this to be done. Every time the patient
cable shakes around during a reading it increases the “artifact” or
noise on the tape.
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| #11: Use the Elastikon to cover the
coil. Start at least three-fourths down the side of the dog. This
piece of Elastikon should go more caudal (towards the tail) than the
first piece that we put over the electrodes.
Note: If you have used Vet Wrap this piece of Elastikon needs to go
over part of the Elastikon so the Vet Wrap does not slide back during
the reading.
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| #12: Take another piece of Elastikon and
cover the front of the coiled patient cord.
Again, go about three-fourths of the way down the dog’s side.
It is very important that all the patient cable be covered. If your
dog chews the patient cord it costs $80.
Note: If you have used Vet Wrap, make sure that you stick part of the
Elastikon to the Vet Wrap and part to the part of the dog’s back.
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13: Now it is time to put the vest on. Place the vest on the floor
with the pockets down.
Place your dog’s feet into the holes and lift the vest up on either side
of the dog.
The zipper should be on the back.
14: Pull the end of the patient cable out of the neck hole of
the vest.
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15: Label the cassette tape with the dog’s name (first and last), write
the starting time in appropriate blank, we will be starting the monitor
very shortly at this point. Write the serial number of the monitor that
you are using. Note: The serial number is located in the
battery compartment of most monitors. There are a few
monitors that have the serial number on the inside of the top of the
case. |
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16: Advance the cassette tape
so that the dark part of the tape is showing through all the open
windows on the edge. (Do not be afraid of winding it too far. The
monitors usually run for 25-26 hours.)
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17: Inside the monitor you will see a button that you will need to push
to get the tape in.
The button may be a little stiff so you may need to gently pull
the “bar” open so you can insert the tape. |
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18: Place the cassette tape into the monitor with the windows
facing the “open bar.”
Gently, push the bar back into place. It should stay in place.
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19: Close the monitor and place a piece of white tape over the edge, so
there is no chance that the monitor can pop open while your dog wears
it. |
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20: Plug the end of the patient cord into the monitor and secure the
plug as shown.
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| There are two different models that we
use, so please look at the pictures carefully. |
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21: Place the monitor into one of the pockets on the back of the dog.
Try not to “kink” the patient cord as this too can add artifact to the
reading.
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22: Cut a piece of Elastikon to cover the exposed patient cable.
This will help protect the patient cable from being chewed by your dog. (Or any
other dogs that will be in contact with your dog during the 24 hours.
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Remember: These monitors were designed for human use so it is important
to secure everything that can open, move, or disconnect. This will
allow your dog to perform normal daily activities without the likelihood
of disturbances in the reading.
The monitor needs to remain running for at least 24 hours. We
recommend letting it run to 25 or 26 hours to be sure that we obtain
enough data for an accurate assessment of your dog’s cardiac health.
While wearing the monitor we encourage you to let your dog participate in
normal daily activity. The only things your dog can not do is go swimming,
get a bath, or stay out in the rain/snow for prolonged periods.
To remove the monitor
Unzip the pocket containing the monitor and pull the tape off that is
securing the patient cable. Unplug the patient cable and then open the
monitor. The battery at this point needs to be removed.
It is important for the battery to be removed so as not to run the drive
belt down.
At this point check the cassette tape. It should have run to the end or
almost to the end.
Remove the one piece of Elastikon on the outside of the vest and unzip the
vest.
If you haven’t used Vet Wrap or gone all the way around your dog’s chest with
Elastikon, then gently lift the edge of the first piece of Elastikon that we put
on. This should allow for all the tape to come off in one piece.
(This can be somewhat painful. It is like a giant Band-Aid coming off.
There are sprays that you can purchase to alleviate this process if your dog is
really sensitive.
If you have used Vet Wrap or gone around your dog’s chest with the Elastikon
make sure when you use scissors to cut it off not to hit any wires. Stay
below the elbows when you cut. Then remove the tape the same way.
Once you have removed the tape off the dog, carefully detach the patient
cable from the tape. DO NOT USE SCISSORS.
When returning the monitor, place the monitor and patient cable in the
pockets of vest and wrap the vest around the monitor for padding
Please return any unused supplies. By returning the supplies you
keep the cost of the service down for everyone.
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