Brain stem auditory-evoked response of the nonanesthetized dog.

The brain stem auditory evoked-response was measured from a group of 24 healthy dogs under conditions suitable for clinical diagnostic use. The waveforms were identified, and analysis of amplitude ratios, latencies, and interpeak latencies were done. The group was subdivided into subgroups based on tranquilization, nontranquilization, sex, and weight. Differences were not observed among any of these subgroups. All dogs responded to the click stimulus from 30 dB to 90 dB, but only 62.5% of the dogs responded at 5 dB. The total number of peaks averaged 1.6 at 5 dB, increased linearly to 6.5 at 50 dB, and remained at 6.5 to 90 dB. Frequency of recognizability of each wave was tabulated for each stimulus intensity tested; recognizability increased with increased stimulus intensity. Amplitudes of waves increased with increasing stimulus intensity, but were highly variable. The 4th wave had the greatest amplitude at the lower stimulus intensities, and the 1st wave had the greatest amplitude at the higher stimulus intensities. Amplitude ratio of the 1st to 5th wave was greater than 1 at less than or equal to 50 dB stimulus intensity, and was 1 for stimulus intensities greater than 50 dB. Interpeak latencies did not change relative to stimulus intensities. Peak latencies of each wave averaged at 5-dB hearing level for the 1st to 6th waves were 2.03, 2.72, 3.23, 4.14, 4.41, and 6.05 ms, respectively; latencies of these 6 waves at 90 dB were 0.92, 1.79, 2.46, 3.03, 3.47, and 4.86 ms, respectively. Latency decreased between 0.009 to 0.014 ms/dB for the waves.