Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Swagat Mohapatra, Ambika Prasad Khadanga Mahapatra, Shivani Das, Lipika Priyadarsini, Ritun Patra, Nirupama Dalai and Geeta Rani Jena

Abstract:
ECG is a simple and fast diagnostic tool used in canine practice to detect arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, myocardial infarction, electrolyte imbalance etc. While interpreting ECG in dogs, breed and age need to be contemplated as there might be variation in electrocardiogram due to difference in overall morphology of heart. The present study was conducted to investigate the age related changes in electrocardiogram of Spitz dogs and introspect the reasons behind them. Client owned apparently healthy Spitz dogs were categorized into four groups with respect to their age viz., Group 1: Dogs above 6 months and below 1 year of age, n= 15; Group 2: Dogs above 1 year and below 3 years of age, n= 15; Group 3: Dogs above 3 years and below 5 years of age, n= 15 and Group 4: Dogs above 5 years of age, n= 15. Electrocardiograph was set with a paper speed of 25 mm/sec and sensitivity of 1 (1 cm= 1mv) and the ECG was recorded in the dogs positioned in right lateral recumbency. P wave amplitude in dogs belonging to group 1 and group 2 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the dogs belonging to groups 3 and 4. The amplitude of Q wave, duration of P wave, QRS complex duration and T wave duration did not vary significantly among groups. Dogs belonging to group 1 were found to have significantly lower QRS amplitude from those belonging to groups 2, 3 and 4. Amplitude of T wave did not follow a specific trend although group 3 differed significantly from groups 1 and 4. The heart rate in group 1 was significantly higher from all other groups. Group 4 recorded significantly higher P-R interval than groups 1, 2 and 3. Group 4 recorded significantly higher QT interval than groups 1, 2 and 3. R-R interval in Group I was significantly lower than other groups. However, groups 1, 2 were found to have significantly lower P-R segment duration with respect to groups 3 and 4. S-T segment of groups 2 and 4 was significantly higher from group 1. The T-P segment of group 1 was significantly lower than groups 2, 3 and group 4. The study reported the baseline ECG values in Spitz dogs with respect to age groups.