Electrocardiographic parameters in the clinically healthy Zamorano-leones donkey.
Limited information exists regarding electrocardiographic parameters in clinically healthy donkeys. The study was carried out in 75 healthy adult animals (40 females and 35 males) using the Einthoven standard II and base-apex leads. The P wave showed usually a bifid shape deflection. The QRS complex of the donkeys appeared in several forms: QR and R were the most frequent in limb lead II, and QS and QR in the base-apex lead. Most T waves presented a simple negative configuration in lead II and biphasic shape in the base-apex one. Mean heart rate value was 52 beats per minute. The direction of the QRS vector in lead II had a mean value of 91.4 degrees. We observed a lack of detected arrhythmias. Statistically significant differences were observed between sexes for several parameters. The electrocardiogram of Zamorano-leones donkey differs in several duration, amplitude and morphologic parameters from that of several breeds of horses and donkeys. This fact justifies obtaining values for a specific breed against which to compare values for the same breed.
Veterinary Medicine Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of León, Campus de Vegazana, 24071 León, Spain.
Andrés
A
Escudero
José R
JR
González
José L
JL
Benedito
Felipe R
FR
Prieto
Ignacio
I
Ayala
D000818:Animals; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D018397:Equidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male