title: Electrocardiogram of the African grey (Psittacus erithacus) and Amazon (Amazona spp.) parrot.
abstract: Electrocardiographic reference values and configurations were established in apparently healthy African grey (Psittacus erithacus; n=45) and Amazon (Amazona spp.; n = 37) parrots, using standard limb leads. In 31 of the African grey parrots and 32 of the Amazon parrots electrocardiograms were made during isoflurane-anaesthesia. Significant differences between anaesthetized and unanaesthetized birds were found only for the median heart rate and QT-interval (P<0.05). Significant differences between the two genera were found for the duration of the P- and T-waves, the voltage of the T-wave and for the mean electrical axis. Sinus arrhythmias and ventricular premature beats were present in 5 to 10% of the tracings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nap
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lumeij
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Stokhof